UPnP?

Noreen · Feb 23, 2008, 11:38:02

My laptop has been suffering from "disappearing icon syndrome", icons may or may not appear in the notification area of the taskbar, I've done all the necessary things in Taskbar Settings with no effect. I've just been ignoring it as the programs are running whether their icons show or not. However I came across this on the Wilders Forum...........

QuoteI had the same (disappearing) icon issue on one of my machines with v2.7 but it wasn't just NOD32 that wasn't appearing....it was my volume icon and some other stuff. I found the following on some web site, tried it, and now my sys tray icons appear each and every time, after a reboot or cold start, without fail.

1. Click "Add or Remove Programs" in Control Panel.

2. Click "Add/Remove Windows Components" in the sidebar.

3. Scroll down to Networking Services, select it, and click the Details button.

4. Uncheck UPnP User Interface.

I've now done that and it seems to be working at the moment. My question is what difference has changing this setting made, is it something that I need (I don't really know what it is), I'm not aware of anything not working

Rik · Feb 23, 2008, 11:41:29

Most people don't need or use UPnP, Noreen, in fact I disable it on a new machine as part of my initial 'lock down'.

Noreen · Feb 23, 2008, 11:47:27

Thanks, Rik.

scook94 · Feb 23, 2008, 14:25:18

Indeed, when I used to use XP I went here to get this handy tool
http://www.grc.com/UnPnP/UnPnP.htm

Rik · Feb 23, 2008, 14:27:12

Nice link, thanks.

scook94 · Feb 23, 2008, 14:29:39

In fact after a further read it also applies to Vista too!

Rik · Feb 23, 2008, 14:32:34

I noticed that. As they say, why run services you don't need that may also render your machine vulnerable? Trimming the services is always one of my first jobs on a new machine, right behind installing Acronis TI and getting my first backup.

Sebby · Feb 23, 2008, 17:45:01

I always thought that UPnP must be a bit of a vulnerability, though it's like everything I suppose. I used to use UPnP as it was convenient and meant I didn't have to port forward, but now I have a 2Wire which doesn't support UPnP anyway. To be honest, for the number of applications I use that need ports to be forwarded, it's not great loss.

Ted · Feb 23, 2008, 20:41:56

Quote from: scook94 on Feb 23, 2008, 14:25:18
Indeed, when I used to use XP I went here to get this handy tool
http://www.grc.com/UnPnP/UnPnP.htm

I have to agree, Steve Gibsons site at grc is excellent. Their shields up test can be very informative.

Lance · Feb 24, 2008, 00:51:19

I only use one which needs port forwarding and that's utorrent. Everything else is fine.

Baz · Feb 24, 2008, 10:07:01

Whats it all about then ......simply please.

how do I know if its enabled/disabled on my system.

do I need it running. Why do I need it running , what does it do.

Steve Gibsons site is good but its a tad confusing for me sometimes

Rik · Feb 24, 2008, 10:10:38

UPnP does things like open ports on compatible routers, Baz - why it's called UPnP defeats me as it is too similar to PnP but with a very different sort of action. Most people neither want it or need it. You can kill it manually, through the services console, or pick up the switching tool that Steve recommended at reply #3. In a default Windows installation it will be on.

Noreen · Feb 24, 2008, 11:04:13

Quote from: Baz on Feb 24, 2008, 10:07:01
how do I know if its enabled/disabled on my system.

Baz, see the quote in my first post above.

BTW for the benefit of anyone else who may suffer from disappearing taskbar icons I can confirm that it does appear to have solved the problem for me.

Rik · Feb 24, 2008, 11:11:28

For those that need UPnP, this might help:

Iconoid - remembers desktops, icon positions etc

http://www.sillysot.com/

Noreen · Feb 24, 2008, 12:21:11

Speaking of icons, here's a really old program that I use, it still works with my IE6 but I understand that it doesn't work with IE7 (apparently not needed either). http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2704,108438,00.asp

Rik · Feb 24, 2008, 12:32:28

Thanks for that, Noreen.

Baz · Feb 24, 2008, 12:53:58

Quote from: Noreen on Feb 24, 2008, 11:04:13
Baz, see the quote in my first post above.

Thanks Noreen. had a look there and it wasnt ticked anyway so it seems it has never been as I dont re-call unticking it at any time.

so thats good is it?

Rik · Feb 24, 2008, 13:02:06

Probably.

If you open the Services console, does UPnP show as disabled?

Baz · Feb 24, 2008, 14:11:40

Universal Plug and Play Device Host??

no its ticked

Rik · Feb 24, 2008, 14:13:48

Care to give me a screen shot, Baz, that doesn't sound like my service console at all.

Baz · Feb 24, 2008, 14:29:11

I can try

is that the one?

Rik · Feb 24, 2008, 14:41:34

That's MSCONFIG, Baz, you want the services console. Hit Start > Run > type 'C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.msc' (no quotes) and hit enter. Scroll down, double-click on UpNp, and you should get something like the shot below.

[attachment deleted by admin]

Baz · Feb 24, 2008, 14:45:21

Ok Rik. its set to Manual in the startup type

Ann · Feb 24, 2008, 14:50:35

Mine was not installed either. It seems that XP default is not to install it.

I used to use the FavOrg program that Noreen linked to. It was excellent but as you say not necessary with IE7 as it keeps the pretty icons itself. The reason I gave up using Firefox was that it didn't keep the icons and I find them very useful as it's easier to find stuff on an overfull favorites menu.

Rik · Feb 24, 2008, 14:51:07

Quote from: Baz on Feb 24, 2008, 14:45:21
Ok Rik. its set to Manual in the startup type

Change that to disabled, Baz.

Baz · Feb 24, 2008, 14:57:59

done. it was also set as Started in the status column.

this service is not needed then?

Rik · Feb 24, 2008, 14:59:39

Not by the vast majority of people, Baz, and if you do need it, you'll soon know.

Baz · Feb 24, 2008, 15:01:15

sounds like my 'puter will kick off with loads of warnings to turn it back on

safe so far though

Noreen · Feb 24, 2008, 17:32:10

Quote from: Ann on Feb 24, 2008, 14:50:35
I used to use the FavOrg program that Noreen linked to. It was excellent but as you say not necessary with IE7 as it keeps the pretty icons itself. The reason I gave up using Firefox was that it didn't keep the icons and I find them very useful as it's easier to find stuff on an overfull favorites menu.

I started using it when I got fed up with some newly installed program icons disappearing after I cleared the Temp files and I saw it recommended on a forum.

Baz · Mar 09, 2008, 17:47:04

Quote from: Rik on Feb 24, 2008, 14:59:39
Not by the vast majority of people, Baz, and if you do need it, you'll soon know.

who will need it Rik and what for. I have a network set up here so will I need it

getting a bit confusing now....set to disable as you said then got the facility from GRC to disable it, ran the prog and it said it was enabled

has something enabled it again?

Rik · Mar 09, 2008, 17:51:23

Hi Baz

Very few people need UPnP, and it's certainly not needed for an ordinary LAN. Hit Start > Run > type services.msc <enter>.

Trust what that tells you.

Baz · Mar 09, 2008, 18:01:40

Im trying with it off but wondered why/who needs it.

what about the setting to enable it in the router

Rik · Mar 09, 2008, 18:04:17

Hi Baz

Basically, it's used to control routers, usually by games. If you don't know if you need it, you don't need it. Nor do you need the facility turned on in the router.

Sebby · Mar 09, 2008, 18:06:54

Quote from: Baz on Mar 09, 2008, 18:01:40
Im trying with it off but wondered why/who needs it.

what about the setting to enable it in the router

Basically, it allows an application to forward a port on the router automatically. It can be useful for applications that use a different port each time they connect, but it's generally not necessary. Applications like BitTorrent need a port forwarded, but you can equally do it manually.