After clean install of win 7, network problems

CleanInstall · 24 Apr 2018

I have two Win 7 Pro 64-bit computers that used to be in a home network, but after a crash and reinstall of Win 7 on one of the computers, I can't connect well to the other computer. I can see the other computer in each of the computer's network windows, but when I double-click on the other computer's icon, it allows me to see "default" and "public" users, but not the user that I need to (this goes both ways). How can I change this? I am a real novice with networks and could really use your help. Thanks.

also: one computer says it is connected to "Local Area Connection" and the other one says it is connected to "Local Area Connection 2". And the one that says it is connected to "Local area connection 2" shows "Local Area Connection" with a red X (when I open up "change adapter settings") and says the network cable is unplugged, but I know it isn't unplugged.

also: One computer says it is part of "Network" and the other says it is a part of "Network 2".

samuria · 24 Apr 2018

Welcome to the forum. To connect you first need to setup shares as they will have been lost

CleanInstall · 24 Apr 2018

Hi - thanks for your quick response! I just tried that, and the drives I shared are appearing in the network window, but when I click on them, it says I don't have permission and need to contact network administrator.

CleanInstall · 24 Apr 2018

Never mind - I figured it out.

Paul Black · 24 Apr 2018

Hi CleanInstall,

I am glad you managed to sort out your network problems.
Perhaps you could post your solution so as to help anyone who comes across this thread looking for an answer to the same problem.

Thanks in advance.

CleanInstall · 25 Apr 2018

I changed the permissions to "Everyone" in the security settings.

CleanInstall · 25 Apr 2018

BTW: I have been trying to determine how far-reaching the "everyone" setting is, and trying to look online to find a concise, clear definition of what "everyone" means. I have a home network of two connected computers. How secure is it to set permissions to "everyone" on these computers?

Barman58 · 25 Apr 2018

The everyone group contains a lot of other groups and individuals, It is the lowest security level you can set as it basically gives anyone who can see the files access.

I am assuming that the files you have given Everyone access are not anything related to windows itself, as these require lots of different permission sets to work properly. If you are the only one using the systems data files (which should be in the user folders, documents, pictures etc. then everything permissions on data is just about acceptable

Security on windows depends on two separate permissions. The first is the Share permissions which work similarly to those on older operating systems , the second levels are the file access permissions that control who can access the files from the local system as well as a network connection.

If you have set the share permissions to everyone then the local NTFS file permissions should protect the important system files if you have set the NTFS file permissions to everyone then the only way to correct this is to totally reinstall the OS on both systems

CleanInstall · 25 Apr 2018

I changed permissions to "everyone" by going to properties/security/edit/add/advanced/find now, and chose "everyone". Is this NTFS?

Barman58 · 25 Apr 2018

Yep that would appear to be the menu for NTFS security tree - this is fine as long as you did not do this at the root of the system drive. which will likely require a reinstall before too long. If you did it on the Users tree then it fine althoug it does not give a great amount of security for the files