There is a 'solution' that is posted on a few places for Vista. Be aware though, that the solution first only works on 32-bit, and that the 'solution' probably don't even work. (It's more of a hack than a clean install.) There are a few obvious things, like the properties button on IPX protocol is grayed out (meaning you can't change frame type), and you can't bind IPX to the client of Windows Networking protocol. Don't see this as a serious solution, more as a desperate try to get it working, until the protocol is officially added to protocol list. What you need: a working installation of Windows XP sp2 (according to instructions). Ctrate a new folder c: temp Step 2.

• In the Select Network Feature Type dialog box, select Client, Service, or Protocol, and then click Add. • Do one of the following: • If the component is in the list, select it, and then click OK. • Otherwise, click Have Disk. • Follow the instructions displayed to complete the installation. How to download and install IPX on windows 7.

Copy the following files to the directory c: temp *and* to the corrsponding vista directories: Note: You might need to open up an 'elevated' command prompt, 'run as administrator', (to get write access to directories). Windows System32 drivers nwlnkipx.sys Windows System32 drivers nwlnkflt.sys Windows System32 drivers nwlnkfwd.sys Windows System32 drivers nwlnknb.sys Windows System32 drivers nwlnkspx.sys Windows System32 rtipxmib.dll Windows System32 wshisn.dll Windows System32 nwprovau.dll Windows inf netnwlnk.inf (*) Windows inf netnwlnk.pnf (*) (*) The directory 'inf' is hidden Step 3. Go to 'manage network connection' (in control panel-> network). Right click your LAN adapter connection, click 'install', 'protocol', 'Add', Do not select the IPX that is already in the list, be sure to select 'have disk'.

This item may not be in the public domain under the laws of other countries. Karta glubin bratskogo vodohranilischa.

Navigate to 'c: temp' and select file 'netnwlnk.inf', now select 'WLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS'. You will get a warning it's not verifyable, install anyway (or not.). If you get an error message about a missing module, you forgot to copy the above files to the windows 7 directories. Reboot computer. Now you will have the IPX protocol in installed protocol list (if everything works as it should), but it will probably not work.

Are you kidding me? This is Microsoft's official response? There's no native IPX/SPX so contact Novell. How does the most 'user-friendly' operating system company refuse to support one of the most widely used LAN protocols for old games? I mean I'm a PC and i'm 4 1/2 years old, I can make pictures look good, yay! Is this what Microsoft is now? I'm not gonna lie, I don't have an issue Windows supporting IPX, that's fine.

I'm sure tons of users will make a work around. But for you to even come in here and post that garbage of a statement. No duh, it's not natively supported, no duh. This post is a year old, I really hope that you don't answer questions for support help anymore. I used to use IPX/SPX because I don't like to have my production machines exposed to the Internet any more than absolutely necessary.

With IPX, I could run a local area net and keep TCP/Internet turned off completely on all but one machine. Now, I feel very exposed to all the potential garbage that the Internet can bring. I also note that Windows 7 is slow to find other machines.

Seems it is searching the whole world where IPX was, virtually instant access and no big searching lag. More risk and slower response, oh yeah, that's a good marketing plan -- just cover it up with some bad art work so you can look more Mac-like.

Someone please fire who ever made these decisions. Killing off legacy essentials in Windows7 and Vista is almost as bad as taking old OS maintenance tools that have been in the same place for many years, renaming them and hiding them under lame artwork all over the place. Why its so much fun to go on an Easter Egg hunt when you have real work to do. There are a lot of things I like about Windows 7, but they are mostly performance related due to changes in processors and graphics cards. The organization and window dressing is pure BS. As the old maxim of good design goes: Form follows function. Someone at MS seems to have suffered Mac envy and was more interested in window dressing than functionality.