potential browser

What is Potential Browser?

A computer on a Microsoft Windows NT network that can assume the role of a master browser or a backup browser if required to do so. If a new backup browser is needed, the master browser can appoint a potential browser as a backup browser. If a new master browser is needed, an election takes place to determine which potential browser should assume the role. If a computer running Windows joins a Windows NT network and its MaintainServerList parameter is set to either Auto or Enabled, it informs the master browser that it is a potential browser.

The MaintainServerList parameter is configured differently depending on the version of Windows involved:

• Windows NT uses the following registry key:

  Hkey_Local_Machine
      System
          CurrentControlSet
              Services
                  Browser
                      Parameters
  

• Windows 95 and Windows 98 use the Browse Master property in File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks.
• Windows 3. x uses MaintainServerList in the system.ini file.

See also:

• Computer Browser service