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

Article ID: 2485634 - 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 same 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.

  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. Click Set up file sharing.

  1. In Sharing and Discovery, Click the arrows ▼ displayed in each item.

Setting the sharing options

  1. Click Turn on network discovery.
  2. Click Apply.

Turn on network discovery enables your computer to search for shared information on other computers.

  1. Click No,....

Public network is intended to be used in public places. It is safe to avoid shairng files outside your home. This means letting people you do not know use the same network. Therefore, click No….

  1. Under File sharing, click Turn on file sharing
  2. Click Apply.
  3. Under Public folder sharing, click either Trun on sharing so anyone with network access can open files, or Trun on sharing so anyone with network access can open, change and create files.
  4. Click Apply.

File sharing enables your computer to be accessed from other computers.
Public folder sharing activates shared folder which your Windows PC is equipped with.

  1. Under Password protected sharing, click Turn off password protected sharing.
  2. Click Apply.

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.

Setting Network Location

If you have a portable notebook computer, you may access various networks depending on where you are. In Window Vista, there are two types of network: Private and Public. Choose an appropriate location. Here Private is selected.

Opening the Settings window

  1. Click View network status and tasks.

  1. Confirm that Private network is selected.

If Private network is not selected, click Customize and then select Private network.

Placing files in Shared Folder

Windows Vista has shared folders called "Public". By placing files in the public folders in Libraries, the files can be accessed another computer.

Opening Shared Folder

  1. Click Start.
  2. Click Network

  1. Click Network

In Public, several shared folders are prepared. The files you place in these folder will be accessible from other computers.

 
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Properties

Article ID: 2485634 - 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: 
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