Windows 7: Best way to WIFI share with Android device?

guys
this concerns file sharing Windows 7-to/from-Android devices.
some of you use android as I do. there are a lot of apps and utils etc for connecting to lan/wifi but I'm wondering what you have found that is best? the file manager app I'm using can address a 'server' via tcp address but I was thinking I had read of a simpler approach - just cannot easily find via searching and reading descrips.



all advice gladly received!

c

I'm a total noob with Droid, but all I have to do is turn on WiFi on the device, then it will notify of available networks. I tap one, choose connect and I'm on it.

ahh... i see my title is less than excellent. the operative word is SHARE - as in full file sharing between the two devices. I'll try to fix.

Gotcha, I thought you meant share the WiFi connection.

My phone can share via Bluetooth, but I don't have WiFi, I go to McDonalds.

the steps that SHOULD work do not. I experimented with two apps yesterday that work the same way except one presumes you know your ip, the other can scan the net.
in either case, I put in my credentials etc and IP and try to connect but fails. I suspect some defense either in 7 itself or via the routers - don't know how to root cause it. showing my networking depth, eh?

If you read my Tut it explains when you link the two together you will enter the PC NAME AND PASSWORD that is the PC name and your Admin not your Router name or key it is the PC you are on also i might add i left links for Droidwall and Anti virus protection you will need it

Homegroup - Add Android Phone or Tablet

appreciate that!

now I'll show my reading comprehension skills.....
Step 1: which device are we talking about? I don't recognize the terms or the settings
1.a: does it matter what mode the two types of USB settings ? [this one happens to be ICS 4.0.4]

Step 2-5 got it.

Step 6: didn't you mean to say User Name instead of computer name? [windows 7 terminology]

with the exception of step 1 which I don't recognize, I did all this, but got connection error on the droid.
I used my main User Name and password for my personal Windows 7 rig - all the sharing options typical for homegroup usage are on. no problems connecting to my other windows 7 rig or other windows thingies

nope computer name then password

all you need to do is hit LAN let it scan for the IP then enter the name if it is a Hp or dell pc Please drop that from the name that is probably why it isn't going through just the name itself no need to put hp or dell with it or even the word pc at the end just the ROOT word like mine just REDMOONBEAMS then my Pw and im in

In the interim I gave AirDroid a shot. pretty clever - sort of like using teamviewer et al if my suspicion is correct. would not hold a connection using FFox "nightly" x64, but using Chrome it works. a bit clumsy, as my brain prefers regular windows-looking folders, details mode, serial lists, with most of the columns showing data

ES File Explorer, the latest/current version, has no field for Computer Name. It will scan, identify the pc's on the net by IP, and the detail fields are:
Domain
Server [meaning IP address]
Username
Password
tickbox for "Anonymous"
Display as:

that's all. I tried then inserting the PC name into the Username field per your instructions and it failed.
Put in the Username and correct password and it also failed.

??

A password is needed to accomplish this sharing? I never use one.

Also my Android device is not like the one in the tut.