Table of contents
- What Is ICS in Windows 10?
- Here’s a rundown of what ICS provides the connected PCs with on Windows 10:
- How to Disable Internet Connection Sharing in Windows 10
- How to Turn Off the Internet Connection Sharing Service in Windows 10
- How to Enable Internet Connection Sharing in Windows 10
Windows 10 is full of features that make life easier for the average user. More innovations are added with each new major build, and this way, Microsoft improves on existing features and adds even more to the user experience.
Internet Connection Sharing is a feature that makes sharing the PC’s internet connection possible. Other computers can use the main PC’s internet network when ICS is turned on.
As useful as this feature is, some users would rather turn it off. Perhaps they don’t want to share their internet with any other PC or want to prevent unauthorized use of their bandwidth by other users.
Turning off ICS in Windows 10 is as easy as pie. The thing is that not many users know how to disable this feature, so they just leave it as is. If you’re in this camp, just keep reading – this guide will show you how to turn off Internet Connection Sharing.
On the other hand, you might be looking for a way to enable the feature. If that is the case, this article has got you covered too.
What Is ICS in Windows 10?
Internet Connection Sharing, or ICS, is a feature that has been embedded in the Windows operating system since Windows 98. This feature turns one computer into a gateway device through which other computers connect to the internet. The client computers have their internet traffic routed through the host computer.
Internet Connection Sharing essentially turns the host computer into a router to which multiple devices (in this case, computers) can connect. The host computer and the connected client PCs collectively form a Local Area Network (LAN).
The client PCs are connected to the host either through cables or wirelessly through the host’s wireless adapter. They all share the same internet connection. The host computer uses a wired connection, be that an internet cable or a USB connection to a modem or router.
ICS has gone through several iterations on the different versions of Windows. On Windows 10, ICS is a service. It provides Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and network address translation (NAT) for the PCs in the LAN network.
Here’s a rundown of what ICS provides the connected PCs with on Windows 10:
- Any device connected to the host PC can use the network without the need to install additional software.
- Non-Windows and non-PC devices can use the network of a Windows PC host.
- The client devices benefit from the host’s internet protocols, such as a connected VPN or proxy, without having to install and run those protocols separately.
- Each client is assigned an IP address and configured for DNS via the host PC.
Before you turn your PC into a host via ICS, make sure to establish a wired connection to a modem or router first.
How to Disable Internet Connection Sharing in Windows 10
If ICS is active on your Windows 10 PC and you’d rather turn it off, this section will help you do that. You may want to dispense with ICS and switch to a Wi-Fi connection for the client computers, or you may simply want to stop using the feature. Either way, using the steps here will culminate with ICS being disabled on your computer.
First, open the Run box by pressing the Windows and R keys at the same time. When the Run dialog box opens, type “ncpa.cpl” into the field (without the quotes) and hit the Enter key or click the OK button. This will open the Network Connections window in the Control Panel. Another way to get here is to right-click the network icon on the taskbar and select Open Network & Internet Settings. In the Status pane, click “Change adapter options” under “Advanced network settings”.
Both methods will get you to the Network Connections window. Then double-click the active network adapter to open the network’s Status dialog box. Click the Properties button to open the Properties dialog box. Or you can just right-click the active network and select Properties.
Now switch to the Sharing tab. Next, untick the “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection” checkbox. Click OK to save the changes and close all the windows.
You’ve now disabled ICS for your active connection. This method disables the feature only for the selected connection, meaning that if ICS is enabled for another network source, it will remain that way. If you want to disable ICS for your Ethernet or LAN or another source, you have to repeat the steps above for each individual network connection in the Network Connections window.
If you’d like to turn off ICS systemwide, you’re better off turning off the service itself. Disabling the ICS service will deactivate it across all network connections.
How to Turn Off the Internet Connection Sharing Service in Windows 10
Follow the methods below to disable ICS and stop your PC from serving as the host in an ICS-based local area network:
- Press the Windows key and R keyboard combination to open the Run box.
- Type “services.msc” into the Run field (without the quotes) and click the OK button.
- In the Services window, scroll down and locate the Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) service.
- Double-click the service to open Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) Properties.
- If the service is running, click the Stop button to stop it.
- Open the Startup Type drop-down and select Disabled.
- Click Apply and then OK to save the changes.
That is all. ICS is now disabled systemwide.
Some users are wary of employing ICS to share a network connection because of the possibility of malware spreading from one PC to all the others over a local area network. You can eliminate this worry by protecting your host with a powerful antivirus solution such as Auslogics Anti-Malware. It will keep your PC safe from malware entities, including those that replicate across a network.
How to Enable Internet Connection Sharing in Windows 10
If you’re actually looking for a way to enable the feature, we can help too. The first method below will enable ICS for the active network, and the second method will enable ICS systemwide.
Enable Internet Connection Sharing for the active network by following the steps here:
- Right-click the Start menu and select Network Connections.
- Click “Change adapter options”.
- Right-click the active network adapter and select Properties.
- Switch to the Sharing tab.
- Tick the checkbox next to “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection”.
- Click to save the changes.
Enable Internet Connection Sharing systemwide by following the procedure below:
- Type “Services” into the Start menu and click the Services app in the search results.
- Scroll down and double-click the Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) service.
- In the Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) Properties dialog box, click the Start button to activate the service.
- Open the Startup Type drop-down and select Automatic.
- Click Apply and then OK to confirm the changes.
We hope this helps.
Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) is a built-in feature of Windows 11/10 that lets you share one computer’s internet connection with multiple computers connected in a Local Area Network (LAN). That means that this feature lets you connect to more than one computer from a single IP address to multiple PCs via NAT technology.
As said above, Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) uses NAT technologies to achieve the task and works with most connection technologies, including DSL, cable, ISDN, dial-up, satellite, etc. The device with the modem or broadband interface that establishes the Internet connection is called the ICS host or gateway. Simultaneously, the other devices connected to the Internet via the network and the ICS host are called ICS clients. Once the ICS host fails for any reason, all the ICS client will lose their internet connection.
Sharing of the Internet connection is possible using either software or hardware. Also, for your information, the ICS feature is not new in Windows 10; you can find this feature from starting Windows 98 to Windows 11. In other words, this ICS feature is available on every version of the Microsoft Windows operating system. Apart from the built-in part of Windows for ICS, you can also use third-party shareware software like WinGate and WinProxy.
If you don’t use the Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) features of Windows 10 and want to disable Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), this post will help you do the same.
Turn off Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) in Windows 11/10 using Network Adaptor.
To turn off the Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) in Windows 11/10, do the following:-
Step 1. Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously to open the Run dialog box.
Step 2. Type ncpa.cpl in the Run dialog box and hit Enter from the keyboard.
Step 3. Right-click on the network adapter (through which you don’t want to share the internet connection) and select the Properties option.
Step 4. Click on the Sharing tab.
Step 5. Remove the checkmark from “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection.”
Step 6. Click the OK button to apply the changes.
Disable Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) using Services
To disable Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) using Windows Services, do the following:-
Step 1. Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously to open the Run dialog box.
Step 2. Type services.msc in the Run dialog box and hit Enter from the keyboard to launch the Services window.
Step 3. Right-click on the Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) and select the Properties option.
Step 4. Click on the dropdown next to the Startup type.
Step 5. Select Disabled from the Startup type drop-down list.
Note: If the Service has already started, click on the Stop button.
Step 6. Finally, click on the Apply and then the OK button.
Once you have completed the above steps, ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) will be disabled on your Windows 11/10 PC.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) is a useful built-in feature of Windows 11/10 that allows sharing of one computer’s internet connection with multiple computers in a Local Area Network (LAN). This feature uses NAT technologies to achieve its task and works with most connection technologies. Additionally, ICS can be disabled either through the Network Adapter or Windows Services. It’s important to note that if the ICS host fails, all ICS clients will lose their internet connection. While ICS is a helpful feature, it’s not necessary for all users, and those who don’t use it can disable it using the methods mentioned above.
You might also be interested in fixing the “No Network” problem on Windows 11/10 PC.
Download Windows Speedup Tool to fix errors and make PC run faster
If you want to disable Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) in Windows 11/10, follow this step-by-step guide. As Windows 10 comes with an in-built option, no additional software is required to install to disable this functionality.
ICS or Internet Connection Sharing is a feature that lets you share one computer’s internet connection with multiple computers connected in a Local Area Network or LAN. In other words, it is possible to provide an internet connection to more than one computer from a single IP address via NAT technology.
To disable Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) in Windows 11/10, follow these steps-
- Press Win+R to open the Run prompt.
- Type ncpa.cpl and hit the Enter button.
- Right-click on the network adapter.
- Select the Properties option.
- Switch to the Sharing tab.
- Remove the tick from Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection checkbox.
- Click the OK button.
Ppress Win+R to open the Run prompt. Type ncpa.cpl, and hit the Enter button to open the Network Connections window. Alternatively, you can search for “network connections” in the Taskbar search box and click on the respective result. After opening the window, right-click on the desired network adapter and select the Properties option.
Then, switch to the Sharing tab and remove the tick from the Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection checkbox.
Click the OK button to save the change.
This method works per connection source basis. In other words, if you want to disable it for multiple internet sources, you have to repeat the steps for each one of them. However, if you want to disable it altogether, you can use the Services panel.
Related: Internet Connection Sharing not working on Windows.
Turn off Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) using Services
To turn off Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) in Windows 11/10 using Services, follow these steps-
- Search for services in the Taskbar search box.
- Click on the respective result.
- Double-click on the Internet Connection Sharing (ICS).
- Click the Stop button.
- Choose Disabled from Startup type drop-down list.
- Click on the OK button.
Let’s check out the detailed version of these steps.
To get started, search for services in the Taskbar search box, and click on the corresponding result. Next, find out Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) and double-click on it. Click on the Stop button.
Following that, expand the Startup type drop-down list and choose Disabled.
Then, click the OK button to save the change.
I hope it helps.
Read next: An error occurred while Internet Connection Sharing was being enabled.
Anand Khanse is the Admin of TheWindowsClub.com, a 10-year Microsoft MVP (2006-16) & a Windows Insider MVP (2016-2022). Please read the entire post & the comments first, create a System Restore Point before making any changes to your system & be careful about any 3rd-party offers while installing freeware.
Reader Interactions
By Timothy Tibbetts |
Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) allows you to share your Windows 10, 8, and 7 internet connection with other computers on your Local Area Internet. You can enable or disable ICS following this guide.
How to Enable or Disable Internet Connection Sharing in Windows — Control Panel
While enabling or disabling ICS is easy to do, we want to access Control Panel settings to make the changes.
Press the Windows Key + R, type in ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
Right-click on your internet connection, and click Properties.
Click on the Sharing tab.
Click the box next to Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection to turn Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) on or off.
If you have only one internet connection, you’re all set. But, if you want to share multiple internet connections, you need to repeat each connection’s steps.
How to Enable or Disable Internet Connection Sharing in Windows — Services
If you don’t use ICS, it should be Stopped and Disabled in Services. Let’s take a look at your status.
Press the Windows Key + R, type in services.msc, and press Enter.
Scroll down and double-click Internet Connection Sharing (ICS).
The default setting is Manual.
If you want to disable ICS, click on Stop under Service status.
Click on the dropdown box next to Startup type, and click on Disabled.
Click on OK.
comments powered by Disqus
Распределенное обучение с TensorFlow и Python
AI_Generated 05.05.2025
В машинном обучении размер имеет значение. С ростом сложности моделей и объема данных одиночный процессор или даже мощная видеокарта уже не справляются с задачей обучения за разумное время. Когда. . .
CRUD API на C# и GraphQL
stackOverflow 05.05.2025
В бэкенд-разработке постоянно возникают новые технологии, призванные решить актуальные проблемы и упростить жизнь программистам. Одной из таких технологий стал GraphQL — язык запросов для API,. . .
Распознавание голоса и речи на C#
UnmanagedCoder 05.05.2025
Интеграция голосового управления в приложения на C# стала намного доступнее благодаря развитию специализированных библиотек и API. При этом многие разработчики до сих пор считают голосовое управление. . .
Реализация своих итераторов в C++
NullReferenced 05.05.2025
Итераторы в C++ — это абстракция, которая связывает весь экосистему Стандартной Библиотеки Шаблонов (STL) в единое целое, позволяя алгоритмам работать с разнородными структурами данных без знания их. . .
Разработка собственного фреймворка для тестирования в C#
UnmanagedCoder 04.05.2025
C# довольно богат готовыми решениями – NUnit, xUnit, MSTest уже давно стали своеобразными динозаврами индустрии. Однако, как и любой динозавр, они не всегда могут протиснуться в узкие коридоры. . .
Распределенная трассировка в Java с помощью OpenTelemetry
Javaican 04.05.2025
Микросервисная архитектура стала краеугольным камнем современной разработки, но вместе с ней пришла и головная боль, знакомая многим — отслеживание прохождения запросов через лабиринт взаимосвязанных. . .
Шаблоны обнаружения сервисов в Kubernetes
Mr. Docker 04.05.2025
Современные Kubernetes-инфраструктуры сталкиваются с серьёзными вызовами. Развертывание в нескольких регионах и облаках одновременно, необходимость обеспечения низкой задержки для глобально. . .
Создаем SPA на C# и Blazor
stackOverflow 04.05.2025
Мир веб-разработки за последние десять лет претерпел коллосальные изменения. Переход от традиционных многостраничных сайтов к одностраничным приложениям (Single Page Applications, SPA) — это. . .
Реализация шаблонов проектирования GoF на C++
NullReferenced 04.05.2025
«Банда четырёх» (Gang of Four или GoF) — Эрих Гамма, Ричард Хелм, Ральф Джонсон и Джон Влиссидес — в 1994 году сформировали канон шаблонов, который выдержал проверку временем. И хотя C++ претерпел. . .
C# и сети: Сокеты, gRPC и SignalR
UnmanagedCoder 04.05.2025
Сетевые технологии не стоят на месте, а вместе с ними эволюционируют и инструменты разработки. В . NET появилось множество решений — от низкоуровневых сокетов, позволяющих управлять каждым байтом. . .