Scenario-based Illustrated Solutions for the PC Novice : File Sharing on Home Network - Step 2 Windows 7

Article ID: 2485633 - View products that this article applies to.

We begin by creating a shared folder and then we enable file sharing in Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP one by one.

Naming Workgroup

A workgroup name is the name of a network that is used by a set of computers belonging to the network. These computers has to have the same workgroup name. This enables each computer with the identical workgroup name to participate in the same network.

Checking Workgroup Name

  1. Click Start
  2. Right-click Computer.
  3. Click Properties.

  1. Check Computer name and Workgroup.
  2. Click Change settings.

Check Computer name and Workgroup on this screen. Each computer has to have a unique name. The same workgroup name is required among the computers belonging to the home network. In the default settings, workgroup is named "WORKGROUP". You can either change the name or leave as it is.

Renaming Workgroup

  1. Click Change.

  1. Change the Computer name, if necessary.
  2. Change Workgroup to "HOME".
  3. Click OK.

In this example, HOME is selected as the Workgroup name, but you can use any name as long as all of the computers on your home network subscribe to the same name.

  1. Click OK.

Checking Renamed Workgroup

  1. Click Close.

Confirm if the workgroup name is properly changed.

  1. Click Restart Now to restart your computer.

Turning on File Sharing options

To enable file sharing, you need to allow certain folder in your computer to be accessed from other computers in the same network. Here we are enabling the members in the same netowrk to exchange files freely, by assuming that your home network is shared among trustworthy people such as your family members.

Opening Settings Window

  1. Click Start.
  2. Click Control Panel.

  1. Make sure Control Panel is viewed by Category.
    (If otherwise, switch to Category.)
  2. Click Choose homegroup and sharing options.

  1. Click Change advaned sharing settings...

  1. Click the arrow ▼ to expand Home or Work (current profile).

Setting the sharing options

  1. Click Turn on network discovery.
  2. Click Turn on file and printer sharing.
  3. If the Turn on sharing so anyone with network access can read and write files in the Public folders button is displayed, click.

Turn on network discovery enables your computer to search for shared information on other computers.
Turn on file and printer sharing enables your shared files to be accessed from other computers.

  1. Click Enable file sharing for devices that use 40- or 56-bit encryption.
  2. Click Turn off password protected sharing.
  3. Click Save changes.

In this example, we have turned off password protection because it is assumed in this example that file sharing occurs at your home. When password protection is turned on, anyone who accesses the shared folder from another computer will be prompted to enter their user name and password. This prevents files from being viewed and altered arbitrarily, and enhances security by making it impossible for someone who does not know the password to access the shared folders.

  1. Click OK.

Setting Network Location

If you have a portable notebook computer, you may access various networks depending on where you are. In Windows 7, there are tree types of network locations: Home network, Work network and Publick network. Choose an appropriate location. Here Home network is selected.

Opening the settings window

  1. Click View network status and tasks.

  1. Check the network location in Network.

Make sure Home network is selected in Network. If other location is selected, click to change the location. If Home network is already selected, you can skip the steps below.

Changing Network Location

  1. Click Home network.

Home network and Work network are designated for the use at home and workplace. You can share files by using either settings. Do not share files using Public network, which is desinged for the use of the Internet in public locations such as stations and shops.

  1. Click Cancel.

  1. Click Close to close Control Panel.

Placing files in Shared Folder

Windows 7 has shared folders called "Public". By placing files in public folders in Libraries, such as Public Document or Public Pictures folders, you can allow the public files to be accessed another computer.

Opening Shared Folder

  1. Click Start.
  2. Click Computer.

You can also open the folders by selecting Documents or Pictures.

  1. In Libraries, click Pictures.
  2. And then click Public Pictures
  3. Copy the files in the folder

In the Libraries, you can find the "Public" folders in each folders. They are the shared folders that are accessible from other computer.

 
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Properties

Article ID: 2485633 - Last Review: March 2, 2012 - Revision: 4.0
APPLIES TO
  • Windows 7 Enterprise
  • Windows 7 Home Basic
  • Windows 7 Home Premium
  • Windows 7 Professional
  • Windows 7 Starter
  • Windows 7 Ultimate
  • Windows Vista Ultimate
  • Windows Vista Enterprise
  • Windows Vista Business
  • Windows Vista Home Premium
  • Windows Vista Home Basic
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Keywords: 
kbexpertisebeginner kbpcillustrated kbhowto KB2485633
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