NetBEUI (NetBios Extended User Interface) is an enhanced version of the NetBIOS protocol used by some older network operating systems that are not so popular anymore. Microsoft included support for it on Windows 95/98/ME and Windows 2000, but not Windows XP.

Why would you want to install it today? Because it offers you a way to quickly connect a workgroup together if you are having problems with another protocol such as TCP/IP. In short, if you can’t connect two computers using TCP/IP but you can do it with NetBEUI, then you know that you need to troubleshoot TCP/IP.

Here’s how you install NetBEUI:

Regardless of which version of Windows you are running, you may need your Windows CD to complete the installation…

For Windows 95/98/Me Users only:

1. Right Click the Network Neighbourhood icon.

2. Click the Configuration tab
3. Click Add
4. From the Select Network Component Type window that shows, select Protocol and click Add again
5. Select Microsoft from the Manufacturers list and NetBEUI from the list of Network Protocols. Click OK
6. If asked, insert your Windows CD.

That’s it — NetBEUI functionality requires no additional protocol configuration.

For Windows 2000 users only:

1. In Control Panel, double-click the Network and Dial-up Connections icon.

2. Right-click the connection you want to modify, and then click Properties.
3. On the General tab, click Install.
4. In the Select Network Component Type dialog box, select Protocol, and then click Add.
5. In the Select Network Protocol dialog box, select NetBEUI Protocol and then click OK.

That’s it — NetBEUI functionality requires no additional protocol configuration.

For Windows XP users only:

1. The files that you need for installing the NetBEUI protocol on Windows XP are Netnbf.inf and Nbf.sys.

2. Insert your Windows XP CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive and then locate the Valueadd\MSFT\Net\NetBEUI folder.
3. Copy the Nbf.sys file to the %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\Drivers folder.
4. Copy the Netnbf.inf file to the %SYSTEMROOT%\Inf hidden folder.

   Note: To make a hidden folder viewable, follow these steps:

   • Click Start, click Run, type Explorer, and then click OK.

   • Click Tools, click Folder Options, and then click the View tab.
   • Under Advanced Settings, click to select Show hidden files and folders under the Hidden files and folders Folder.
5. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Network Connections.
6. Right-click the adapter you want to add NetBEUI to, and then click Properties.
7. On the General tab, click Install.
8. Click Protocol, and then click Add.
9. Click to select NetBEUI Protocol from the list and then click OK.
10. Restart your computer if you are prompted to do this.

The NetBEUI protocol is now installed and working.

Note %SYSTEMROOT% is a Windows environment variable that identifies the folder where Windows XP is installed. (Typically, that folder is C:\Windows.) To view the value that is associated with %SYSTEMROOT%, type set at a command prompt, and then press ENTER. (Other environment values will also be displayed.)