Easy sharing on Windows 7

If you want to share a folder or file with other users on your home network? Windows 7 has made file sharing easier for you with some of the built-in utilities like Homegroup. Check the below mentioned Windows 7 support guide to start sharing a folder or printer etc. with other users on your home group.

Follow this steps :

Use the built-in Homegroup utility in Windows 7 to create a home group and share your files and folders. If Homegroup is not disabled by default in your Windows 7 computer, enable it by going to the Control Panel from the Start button. Click Choose homegroup and sharing options under Network and Internet. When prompted, click the Create a homegroup button. When in the Create a Homegroup dialog box, select the items that you want to share with other users and hit the Next button.

Make a note of the password displayed on the screen to access your Homegroup from other computers and then click the Finish button. You will return to the Change Homegroup Settings window where you can change your settings including your Homegroup password. When done, exit all the windows. Turn on your other Windows 7 or XP computer and navigate to the HomeGroup feature in Control Panel. When prompted, click the Join Now button to share the Homegroup that you just created.

If prompted, enter the Homegroup password and hit the Next button. If the password is acknowledged, a connection will establish between your computers. To start sharing a folder or file between your computers, right-click it (the folder), select Share with and then point to an option from Nobody, Homegroup (Read), Homegroup (Read or Write), and Specific people. This will take you to the File Sharing window. In this window, you can add people to share or be shared with files or folders etc. and set permissions as well. When done, click the Share button to begin sharing the desired folder.

You can also share a folder without using the Homegroup feature. Click Start and browse to Control Panel> Network and Internet> and Network and Sharing Center. Click the Change advanced sharing settings link in the left hand panel. Click the radio buttons beside Turn on network directory under Home or Work (current profile) and Turn on file and printer sharing. If you also want to enable public file sharing, click to select the Turn on sharing so everyone with network access can read and write files in the Public folders option under Public Folder Sharing.

If you want to set password permission for your folder, click Advanced Sharing Settings at the bottom of the screen. When done, click the Save Changes button and exit all the windows. Navigate to Control Panel> Network> and Network and Sharing Center and you will see all your PCs listed in there.

You can also create a new folder or file to be shared between your computers. To do so, click the Start button, right-click Computer and select Manage. When in the Computer Management window, click System Tools> Shared Folders> and then Shares. Double-click Shares to open the Action menu and then click New Share. Follow the on-screen prompts and create a new folder to share with other users. If you are unable to share your files using the file sharing feature, contact Windows 7 technical support service.