Sharing to specific computer, Win7 to XP

Osoreru · 21 Jun 2011

Hi guys, I'm in serious need of some help with this issue, and I'll try to explain it the best I can:

I have a new storage computer here at work running Windows 7 Pro 32 bit. All other machines here are running WinXP 32 bit. The network is in a Workgroup with no domain. Here's what needs to happen: I have a folder on here that ONLY the boss is supposed to be able to see. However, I can't seem to set permissions for only his computer to have access to it. I've followed every tutorial I've found on google and elsewhere to no avail. I can ping the server from any computer, and if I set access permissions to "Everyone" for the folder or any other folder, all computers in the shop can access it. However, when I try to limit the folder to a specific machine, it denies all access to the folder from any computer. If I try to use the Share with option after right clicking on the folder, the other computers in the network aren't listed, and if I try to manually type in the name of the computer (I've also tried using the IP address), it gives me an error of "Windows can not find xxx".

Any help is greatly appreciated. This issue is driving me kinda nuts, and I'm running out of options on how to fix it.

kegobeer · 22 Jun 2011

On the Win 7 computer, create an account that is exactly the same as your boss's username/password. Then, on the file in question, change the properties -> security and give that user full rights, then under sharing, remove the everyone member and add administrators and him. See what that does.

Osoreru · 23 Jun 2011

I have tried what you said, actually, multiple times and in a couple of different ways as suggested by different forums as well as I think a thread I found on this one, and it doesn't work. And that's where it really gets confusing. I can create a folder and do exactly what you just said on the XP machine to allow or block access to specific accounts, but when I try to do it on the Win7 machine, it doesn't work.

Darryl Licht · 13 Jul 2011

Unfortunately, I am having a very similar issue. I just setup 4 "file servers" in 4 offices, each "file server" was setup identically running win7 pro 64 bit. 3 of the installs gave me some minor sharing issues which were cured after tweaking the advanced sharing settings. NOTE -- make sure which settings you are changing "Public" or "Home or Work" Network Profiles.

Now 1 office isnt working correctly. Some of the XP machines can see the Win7 shares, and others cannot. All are using the same un/pw combos. I got 3 of 4 offices working awesome, but this one is giving me fits!

Things I have done that cured Win7 to xp share issues at the other offices...

***Under Home or Work (current profile)***

Turn on network discovery to on
Turn on file and printer sharing
Public folder sharing shouldnt matter which setting you use
Enable file sharing for devices that use 40 or 56 bit encryption
Turn on password protected sharing
NOTE - Only if using an account on XP PC (same un/pw) that also exists on Win7 PC, Turn off if not!
Use user accounts and passwords to connect to other computers. (No Homegroups in WinXP!)

Anyone have any ides for me or the OP?

Osoreru · 14 Jul 2011

I still have yet to figure out how to do this. I've put every amount of effort into it that I know how. Ended up running into another problem too. Turns out that Windows 7 Pro comes with the option to make shared files and folders available offline automatically on. Apparently, this causes a TON of issues in some cases. The folders become laggy and unreachable after a while, and in some cases caused a loss of data. The only remedy was to turn off the offline availability.

Still waiting and hoping for an answer on protecting a folder from being viewed by just anyone on the network. Still no answer from any forum I've checked at this point.