Windows 7 - Is it possible to make a win7 computer a file server?

What I mean is, without getting a server OS (ex. Windows Server 2008 or 2003), can I make my desktop a server so, if you enter the name in the "Map Network Drive", you can view the files on it (from the root)?
ALSO: Can I make it so a web page shows up when I enter my IP in the address bar instead of an error?

You really don't need to map a drive. Just set up a workgroup among all the PC's you want to provide access to and share the drive or folders.

If all the PC's are Windows 7, then you can set up a homegroup which is more powerful and has more features than a simple workgroup. If you're in a mixed XP/Windows 7 then you'll need to use a workgroup.

I don't understand your question about the web page though. Can you clarify?

Well, I mean when you enter my computer's IP from the address bar (of any computer on the internet), it shows a web page instead of "This page cannot by found". Does that help?
(The reason I am doing this is to help with my VPN)

What does this "web page" look like? Is it a web search results page by some chance? I noticed that IE will send you to it's default search provider if the address in the url times out rather than bringing up a "page not found". This happens if web Search Suggestions in enabled in IE's Search Settings.

Well, like an HTML website that I made. So if I enter my "server"'s IP, I get the webpage.

Do you mean like an "Intranet" page rather than an "Internet" page ... Soz i'm also a bit confused to what your trying to do.

If you had a website that you created/saved on your pc and you shared it on the network, then made the default startup website page on the client machines point to to index.html (or whatever you called your website default page name) then yes it would work

If you're looking for IIS, it's only available on Windows 7 Pro and Ultimate.

I take it you're looking to write your own custom web app, right?

Guys, i have the gut feeling that the OP is talking about using IE as a means to access his "server", a visual representation, a desktop on IE. If so then this is what servers can provide through the use of, RSA connectivity (Remote Server Admin/Assistance). A connection to the "server" through RSA port. But lets assume he isn't talking about this cos it's a whole new level of complexity there.

@ Palz, a server especially a File server is nothing more than a machine that you can connect to it to retreive files. This can be a desktop, laptop or any other hardware loosly speaking. No special "server" software is required. The means can be RDP-ing, share mappings, FTP-ing etc.

All that said, i believe what you are after is something in between. IIS service (as my man RedBirdDad has mentioned). will give you a direct link to your folders, directories for transferring files. Access is with IE as you have denoted.

That could be.

What has me confused is he asked about the web page as a sort of "by the way can I...".

I can't tell if the two requests are related or not.

It is a puzzlement...

Welllll....

Like, my web page on the intranet, gives access to the files on my server. Because normally, Windows 7 or any other os gives a "this page cannot be displayed" because there is nothing set up to be displayed.

I am asking 3 things:
1) How can I get the web page to show up at my IP (on the computer itself)
2) How can I use entering my IP in any computer on the LAN to display the webpage?