yes, I use XP Home. Also I disabled/uninstalled the Windows Messenger through Add/Remove Windows Components with no ill effects. I have 2 computers networked via a crossover cable(no hub or anything) and no problems concerning Windows Messenger. With ZoneAlarm I had to set my "slave" computer as a trusted zone and turn the firewall off for trusted zones, because it was causing problems. The ZA Pro is supposed to be better for networks but the free version is working good and no problems since I changed the setting for trusted zones.