Cannot connect from Windows 7 to Windows XP

[shibu1981]

I can connect and share folder of Windows 7 Ultimate from Windows XP Professional. But I cannot do vice-versa. When I go to Network and Sharing my XP computer is displayed there. But when I click on it asks for the Network password, while my XP machine doesn't have any logon password.

In brief cannot connect to XP machine from Windows 7.

Any solution for this??

Regards and Thanks in advance

Shibu

 

[Iomegaman]

Enable simple file sharing on your Windows XP machine. The setting is in folder options.

Hopefully this should work.

Tom

 

[Jordus]

You cant log on to a windows machine over the network when there is a blank password (or no password) unless you change the default security policy, which I would not recommend.

 

[Iomegaman]

Have just run this in one of my virtual training labs so can confirm that it works (although probably not the most secure solution in the world):

- Create a user on your Windows XP machine that has a password. Use gpedit.msc to stop this user logging in locally (i.e prevent them from being able to use the machine).

- Disable simple file sharing (despite what I said earlier)

- Create your network shares and make sure that the newly created user has rights to them, both in the share and the security settings.

- When you browse over the network to your Windows XP machine from your Windows 7 machine and get prompted for a username and password; use the credentials from the account you have just created.

This should allow you to browse to certain file shares that you have created on your Windows XP machine form your Windows 7 machine. If you need access to everything (and again this isn't the most secure way of doing things BUT if you don't have a password on the machine anyway it won't make a lot of difference), set the newly created account up as an administrator. Then when you want to access your XP machine over the network use: "\\WINDOWSXPMACHINENAME\C$"

 

[Jordus]

That will work, Iomegaman.

Strangely, if you dont want to be prompted you can create identical users (that is, identical usernames AND passwords) on each computer and the credentials will be accepted automatically.

 

[Iomegaman]

Yes this is true, but I guessed (probabaly incorrectly!) that the original poster may be using "MyName" without a password to log into his XP machine and wanted to keep it password free, and using the same "MyName" username on the Windows 7 machine but with a passsword.

Also, in a workgroup it is good practice to have to authenticate with some more credentials against a remote machine before accesing it. It stops a lot of accidental file deletion etc, especially if playing with scripting and other tools.

Tom

 

[Jordus]

I agree.

Also, disabling the policy that prevents network logon with a blank password is highly unrecommended.

 

[shibu1981]

Enable simple file sharing on your Windows XP machine. The setting is in folder options.

Hopefully this should work.

Tom

Thanks for the comment. But Use simple file sharing (Recommended) is selected by default.

 

[shibu1981]

Yes this is true, but I guessed (probabaly incorrectly!) that the original poster may be using "MyName" without a password to log into his XP machine and wanted to keep it password free, and using the same "MyName" username on the Windows 7 machine but with a passsword.

Also, in a workgroup it is good practice to have to authenticate with some more credentials against a remote machine before accesing it. It stops a lot of accidental file deletion etc, especially if playing with scripting and other tools.

Tom

My username for both computers are different. So what is the thing that exactly I have to do?

 

[lilcark]

i would say set a simple password up for both users (can be same password for both) pc will bee a little safer and you will no all the info

i set share with everyone on my network (but not live side or roughter) and right click and shareing on each file i want to share on both xp and 7

 

[chev65]

No passwords needed for that. I've been sharing with my XP machine for over 6 months and I do not need to use any passwords.

You only need to set up basic file sharing on the XP machine and then enable the appropiate sharing tabs in Windows 7. You only need to worrie about passwords if you set them up before hand.

It's so easy I'm not about to go into details on it because it will only complicate something that is already beyond simple.

Shibu, this is easier that you are making it out to be and there are no tricks to it. If you can't access the XP machine then work with the sharing settings in XP until you can do so. It's that simple.

 

[ITPhoenix]

Just had the same problem on XP Pro x64 no less. As always, both PCs must be on the same workgroup and both need log on passwords. Simple file sharing was on by default. I ran the Network Setup Wizard, which was set to "MS Home" as the workgroup by default. That has to be changed to whatever is used on the 7 machine. Then I shared the folders which, when the dialog box opened, allowed me to share by enabling the share checkbox.
Log offs I believe are necessary after password and user additions.

Now I can connect screaming fast in both directions.

I am also able to print to the 7 machine with a cheap HP Officejet 5610 which is not even designed for network printing, as an HP tech had informed me. The printer has to be set up in "Search for a Printer" just like any other. I does have the limitation of not being able to two-sided printing. A better printer like the HP 6500 is a network printer and even has the drovers for XP x64!

 

[rumcaiz]

Well i faced the same problem. Tried all the stuff like enable file sharing, setting same workgroup, ...etc. Nothing helped but this:
I noticed that there is a multiple number of network adapters in Device manager. All were hidden so one must click View and enable hidden devices. all of it were named something like ...4to6 adapter. When i removed all these adapters my file/printer sharing and networking with XP clients starts working after reboot. If there is a huge number of these adapters you have to remove it all. It can be done using appropriate (32 or 64 bit version) tool DEVCON.EXE (which is part of Windows Driver Kit - Download details: Windows Driver Kit Version 7.1.0). More can be found here The DevCon command-line utility functions as an alternative to Device Manager.
This i have found here microsoft 6to4 adapter and solution is here Automating "6to4" Adapter Removal in Windows - RyanVictory.com - thank you Ryan.