XP accessing Win7: Access is denied

Up to now, I've been purely an XP user, but I recently inherited a computer running Win7. Since it's a more powerful machine than my existing file server, I figured I'd swap it in. But I'm unable to create/edit files on it from any of the WinXP machines in the house. I've searched all over the net and tried many many things.

I'd like to make the entire C: drive accessible to other machines on my LAN, but I'll be happy to get access to specify directories on it. The one I've been working with is C:\http

It took a lot of work, but I can now at least see that drive from my XP machine. However, when I try to copy anything into it, I get:
Cannot copy xxx: Access is denied.
Make sure the disk is not full or write protected and that the file is not currently in use.

If I try to simply create a new text document in that directory, I get:
Unable to create the file 'New Text Document.txt'
Access is denied.

Under Advanced sharing settings, I have the following configured:
Network discovery: ON
File and printer sharing: ON
Public folder sharing: ON
Password protected sharing: OFF
Homegroup connections: Use user accounts and passwords...

I have the following security settings for that http directory:


Can anyone help? I'm totally lost. Thanks.

Hi Kari - thanks for the quick response!

It appears that my settings are identical to yours.

enchant said:

Up to now, I've been purely an XP user, but I recently inherited a computer running Win7. Since it's a more powerful machine than my existing file server, I figured I'd swap it in. But I'm unable to create/edit files on it from any of the WinXP machines in the house. I've searched all over the net and tried many many things.

I'd like to make the entire C: drive accessible to other machines on my LAN, but I'll be happy to get access to specify directories on it. The one I've been working with is C:\http

It took a lot of work, but I can now at least see that drive from my XP machine. However, when I try to copy anything into it, I get:
Cannot copy xxx: Access is denied.
Make sure the disk is not full or write protected and that the file is not currently in use.

If I try to simply create a new text document in that directory, I get:
Unable to create the file 'New Text Document.txt'
Access is denied.

Under Advanced sharing settings, I have the following configured:
Network discovery: ON
File and printer sharing: ON
Public folder sharing: ON
Password protected sharing: OFF
Homegroup connections: Use user accounts and passwords...

I have the following security settings for that http directory:


Can anyone help? I'm totally lost. Thanks.

To gain access and full permissions to the actual drive, besides setting up the regular permissions of the drive, you need to right click on the drive itself "choose properties" then use the Security tab to allow access to the entire drive.

The picture below shows where you need to type in "Everyone" for full access.

unless it's a "shared" directory, the everyone group won't cover people. You'll want to "share" the directory now and add the everyone group to the "share".

I *think* that's what I've got. Does this look right?

brady said:

unless it's a "shared" directory, the everyone group won't cover people. You'll want to "share" the directory now and add the everyone group to the "share".

I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean by adding to the "share".

That is what your "Security" tab will look like, yes... You'll need to now "share" the C: (NEVER EVER RECOMMENDED!) with the same permission sets...


* you will be opening your root folders to anything and everything *

Ok, I just stumbled upon something interesting that might solve my problem, but I'm more confused than ever.

Here is a view from my WinXP machines explorer window:



Now as far as I can tell, the two directories that I've marked as #1 and #2 are the same. I get the access denied if I'm trying to write to #1, but if I click on #2, I can write to it. Is this normal?

Thanks again for all the help.