Insufficient authorization to see files in shared folder

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 8
    Windows 7 professional 64 bit
       #1

    Insufficient authorization to see files in shared folder


    I have two computers, a desktop running Windows 7 Professional and a netbook running Windows 7 starter edition. I have shared some folders on the netbook and can access them from the desktop computer. However, I am unable to share folders on the desktop. From the netbook, I can see the desktop on my network and also the shared folders, but when I try to open them I am told I have insufficient authorization to so so. I have checked the authorizations on the desktop side and can see that "Everyone" has permission to open these folders for reading, and that the authorization extends also to subfolders and files.

    I've been trying all day to resolve this problem and would appreciate any help.

    When I set up these permissions, why doesn't Windows warn me that there's something else that will impede what I'm trying to do?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 8,870
    Windows 7 Ult, Windows 8.1 Pro,
       #2

    You might try going into the Security tab of the Desktop's main drive or folder you want to share then add "Everyone" there as well. Security tab>Edit button>Add button>type Everyone for object name, apply, ok and so forth.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 8
    Windows 7 professional 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Wouldn't that give access to every folder on the Desktop? I don't want to do that.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 2,913
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #4

    How do you have the advanced sharing configured on both computers? Are they the same? Are you using a homegroup or a workgroup?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 2,528
    Windows 7 x64 Ultimate
       #5

    Likely the "Guest" user is disabled on both machines. To allow someone without any credentials on the machine being accessed, the guest account must be enabled on the machine with the shared folder.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 8,870
    Windows 7 Ult, Windows 8.1 Pro,
       #6

    No it does not give access to every folder. :)

    bvlenci said:
    Wouldn't that give access to every folder on the Desktop? I don't want to do that.
    You might try going into the Security tab of the Desktop's main drive or folder you want to share then add "Everyone" there as well. Security tab>Edit button>Add button>type Everyone for object name, apply, ok and so forth.

    Notice the part in bold. Although you shouldn't need to do that if you set up a Homegroup.

    You will want to make sure that your wireless connection for the desktop or netbook is using WPA2 and AES encryption.

    This assumes that you have set up a Workgroup or Homegroup "preferable" using the same workgroup name for both the desktop and the netbook.
    Last edited by chev65; 06 Apr 2012 at 17:18.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 8
    Windows 7 professional 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Kegobeer, I'm not sure what you mean by your first question. When I shared the folders, I gave "Everybody" read permission but no other permissions. Is that what you meant? This worked in one direction (desktop reads netbook), but not the other (netbook can't read desktop). I checked all the tabs and advanced options under properties for the shared folders, and I don't see anything different on the two computers. I don't think there is either a Work Group or a Home Group. The two computers are part of a domestic network that has about six or seven computers on it.

    The Desktop has a Guest account, while the netbook does not. Fseal seemed to be saying that this would prevent the desktop from reading the files on the netbook, but actually the opposite is the case. Maybe I misunderstood him.

    Since I take the netbook with me when I travel, I'm not sure I want a Guest account on it. The only account on the netbook is protected by a password. However, it's not the netbook that's inaccessible.

    I had read elsewhere that perhaps folders that are owned by System are not accessible, even if you explicitly share them, but I've checked that the unopenable shared folders are owned by the main user, and administrator, which would be me.

    Oh, how I miss Unix!
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 8,870
    Windows 7 Ult, Windows 8.1 Pro,
       #8

    You will want to either set up a Workgroup or a Homegroup in order to share files between Windows 7 machines. The Security setting I mentioned was to determine if it was a permissions problem or not.

    I can't imagine why you would need a guest account in order to share files on a Windows 7 machine.

    Perhaps just following the directions to set up a Homegroup would help.
    Homegroup - Add Computer or Join
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 8
    Windows 7 professional 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Why am I then able to share files in one direction without a Group? Creating a Home Group just seems to add another network layer, and I don't see why it's necessary. If I create a Home Group, then it looks to me as though the other computers in our network will either have to join it or will be shut out of my resources. At least one of the other computers shares resources with one of mine.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 2,913
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #10

    Advanced sharing isn't tied to a directory or file, it's the guidelines Windows follows when sharing. Click on the orb and type "manage advanced sharing settings" to get to the settings page.

    If you want to share files between computers without problems, you need either a workgroup or a homegroup.
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:57.
Find Us