Guest account in Windows XP really needed?

[Claudius]

What is the importance of keeping the Guest account in Windows XP...do I really need it? Can I disable it?

[Shen]

The Guest account in Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP Professional (when not joined on a domain) serves several special functions that relate to security and network shares. Because of its importance, you must not disable the Guest account. If you disable the Guest account, your network can have problems that include malfunctioned shares.

[Milton.J]

Yes you can disable the guest account, but you shouldn't. You need it for security purposes.

[Big Fish]

To disable the guest account -
On a Windows XP Home computer, or on a Windows XP Professional computer that is not a part of a domain do the following:

1. Right-click My Computer, and then click Manage.
   
2. Click Local Users and Groups.
   
3. Click Users.
   
4. Right-click the Guest account, choose Properties.
   
5. On the General tab, select Account is Disabled.
   
6. Click Ok.

[Spyrus]

For security purposes, you might want to turn off the Guest account
1. Open up the Control Panel
2. Click on User Accounts
3. Click on Change an account
4. Click on the Guest account
5. Click Turn off the guest account
6. Click OK