[varunhome]

This tip is on sharing files and folders on a local network in Windows XP. It has been tested on Windows XP Professional (with and without SP2).

Many users of WinXp have experienced difficulty in sharing files and folders over our college network whether or not simple file sharing is enabled. The approach that I have found to work consistently is:

1. Disable simple file sharing from My Computer --> Tools menu --> Folder Options --> View tab --> Advanced Settings

2. Open Control Panel --> Administrative Tools --> Services. Enable the Server service by making startup Automatic or Manual. This is a standard service needed for sharing files and folders under WinXp.

3. Open Control Panel --> Administrative Tools --> Computer Management. Scroll to System Tools --> Shared Folders --> Shares. From Action menu, select 'Add share' and follow the instructions.

4. You may also want to add users to Administrator or other groups for shared folder access. Under Computer Management, scroll to Local Users and Groups. To add user to Administrator group, select the group name and choose Add from Action menu. It can also be used to add domain users as local admins.

Sharing files on computers directly connected to Internet is not recommended. However, restricting access to specific users using above procedure mitigates security risks.

[mdmom]

I was so excited to read your solution to file sharing....I printed your answer and followed the steps re-booted and still am told "access denied.
you might not have permission to access the network"
I can access the internet from all computers; They are all XP; hard wired
DSL--Router to 3 computers, including mine. I have myself listed as administrator and owner and user, but nothing seems to help.
The network connections are "working properly" but when I click on computers in workgroup, my computer name will not come up.

I have switched routers and cables in various combinations. No help.

I have run Network wizzard at least 25 times.

In the beginning when I was having trouble I was was wandering around administrative tools, but I don't think I know enough to be there. Unfortunately there is no "return all to defaults" button.
Is there a source that will let me see how the settings are supposed to be.

All I want to do is let the other two people have access to files, I want to be able to go through and click on the list.
Your way if I followed it; is to set up each file individually for sharing.

Please help me through this fog..

[Elvandil]

Try UltraVNC. You can even share desktops.

TightVNC also allows file transfers from a VNC client to a server.

[JohnWill]

UltraVNC does file transfers, I see it was recently added to TightVNC, isn't competition wonderful?

[Bob Cerelli]

Isn't file sharing over a network different than remote access.

For example, with file sharing, people can access whatever you shared resources you have (files or printers) without interrupting your work. Also multiple people can connect at the same time.

With remote acces you would take over the computer. This can make it a bit annoying for the person who has their computer taken over when another person just wants to access some shared folders. Also with a workstation as the host, only one connection can be made at a time.

[varunhome]

Try using IP Messenger from: http://www.ipmsg.org/index.html.en. It allows to send *folders* and files over a local network. Requires no server, but application must be running on both machines. To share, right-click on machine name in the application and select 'Folder Transfer'.

You may also need to open a few ports on the firewall during transfer. Otherwise, disable firewall completely for a brief period.

The tip I have written works well based on prior experience. Since the computer fails to show up in 'My Network Places', the problem goes beyond enabling file sharing. If you want, you can mail me directly to help with the problem. My homepage is: http://www.geocities.com/varunhostel/