[takedown]

In the Network and Sharing Center of Vista Home Premium on my desktop, it has a selector for turning on/off passwords. In the description it says that if this is on, then only those with a sign on to this computer (desktop) can access files and printers over the network from other wireless computers. Does this work? I turned this off and I am still required to log on my laptop with the same userid/password as on the Vista machine in order to get access to the files and printers. What gives?

[Bob Cerelli]

You will still need to log onto the computer either way.

[takedown]

Originally Posted by Bob Cerelli

You will still need to log onto the computer either way.

yes but the difference is that I want to give others access to certain files on the Vista computer without creating a user account for them to actually get on the Vista computer itself.

[Bob Cerelli]

That is new information.

If you want to restrict access to a network share by user, then you need to have the user's accounts on the computer that is doing the sharing. Nothing new with Vista regarding that.

[takedown]

Originally Posted by Bob Cerelli

That is new information.

If you want to restrict access to a network share by user, then you need to have the user's accounts on the computer that is doing the sharing. Nothing new with Vista regarding that.

But what if I just want to give access network printers (and maybe just public folders). For example, when my son comes home from college, I want him to be able to access the network on his laptop to merely use the network printers, but I don't necessarily want him to have a userid and password on my system. I am not really going to share any folders with him.

Also, back to my original question, if passwords are required to access the network, then what does the password toggle on Network and Sharing Center actually do when it is turned off/on?

[Bob Cerelli]

Can you detail the requriements.

For example is it:
" I want to give others access to certain files "

or

"I just want to give access network printers"

[takedown]

I would like my son, who has a laptop, the ability to print thru the network without having to have an account on my computer. I can get him the wireless settings.

But what I really want to know, is, what does the password toggle on Network and Sharing Center actually do when it is turned off/on? I can't see that it does anything at all if passwords are still required to get network resources.

[kama64]

I have a desktop with a printer attached to it, and I use a laptop also. To be able for my laptop to see the desktop and connect to the printer, I have these settings in the Network and Sharings Center:

Network Discovery: ON
File Sharing: ON
Public Folder Sharing: ON
Printer Sharing: ON
Password Protecting Sharing: OFF
Media Sharing: OFF

I have my network as a Private network.

So when my laptop connects to the wireless network, it sees the desktop name in "Network", and I can double click on it, and select the printer to use.

I dont need to add my laptop name to any users group on the desktop

I hope that helps some

[takedown]

Originally Posted by kama64

I have a desktop with a printer attached to it, and I use a laptop also. To be able for my laptop to see the desktop and connect to the printer, I have these settings in the Network and Sharings Center:

Network Discovery: ON
File Sharing: ON
Public Folder Sharing: ON
Printer Sharing: ON
Password Protecting Sharing: OFF
Media Sharing: OFF

I have my network as a Private network.

So when my laptop connects to the wireless network, it sees the desktop name in "Network", and I can double click on it, and select the printer to use.

I dont need to add my laptop name to any users group on the desktop

I hope that helps some

That is what I am trying to get to (other than I have media sharing: Yes.) But I have to have a userid/password on the laptop which matches an user account on the desktop.

I thought it was supposed to work as you describe, but I can't make mine work. Even though password protected sharing is turned off, I still need one on the laptop to see anything.

[kama64]

Hmmmm...Does the laptop have XP or Vista?

[takedown]

Originally Posted by kama64

Hmmmm...Does the laptop have XP or Vista?

xp

[kama64]

Is there a password associated with that account, cause I think that Vista does not allow access to shared folders from accounts that have no password.

You can try this of its XP Pro:
- Click Start
- Click Control Panel
- Click System and Maintenance
- Click Administrative Tools
- Double-Click Local Security Policy
- Click Continue if you see a box asking for permission
- In the left pane, click the triangle next to Local Policies
- In the left pane, click Security Options
- In the right pane, double-click "Accounts: Limit local account use of
blank passwords to console logon only"
- Click Disabled
- Click OK

Then reboot

[Bob Cerelli]

This is Vista.

What that does is allow network access with a blank password.

But it still requires a user account on the computer you are trying to connect to.