Share Folders on Win7-ULT32 with users SELECTIVELY

So, I decided to build a server because all NAS solutions are expensive if they're decent, and some of the decent ones (QNAP 439pro) USES the intel ICH10r !!! The one thing I do NOT have with my server solution is the ability to choose which users have access to which folders. The HomeGroup sharing is really cool; and things like my media are ideal to give full read access to. However, I'd really like to be able to enable my friends to each have their own, password protected folders. Obviously, as the admin I could violate their privacy, but I'd like to be the only person they're all trusting.

I'm having a really hard time finding a way to give selective access. Am I retarded? Am i missing something?

Is the only way through homegroup or to just create user accounts? And if only through user accounts.. how do I restrict them from modifying (read/write as opposed to read only). Can multiple accounts be logged in simultaneously?

I do realize I'm kinda network clueless. Thanks for your help.. and even if its just to say you don't think I have a solution, please chime in.

notsograymatter said:

You should be able to edit the permissions of each folder and allow for different computers and/or users to access each folder.

Shared Folder Permissions

Okay.. and different user-name/passwords for each folder?

Actually - excuse me notsogray.. I get what you're saying.

But - simultaneous login is possible as well with that method?

zzz2496 said:

You should use something like "Freenas" or "OpenFiler" or something similar...

zzz2496

Thats a good suggestion except it makes it to where I can't use my i7 + 5770 for anything fun. I had a hard time with Ubuntu actually.. and only made things work by copying and pasting other peoples solutions. I had no way of knowing what risks I took -- of course, the 'community' are generally good people.. but I think win7 can be made to work. Plus, I want to learn this.

And... if a person for whom I've made an account in order to share a folder, would there be a way to disable them from logging in? And if not, I'm assuming they only have access to

the folder I shared
desktop
my documents
and public..?

thanks.

Interesting. So the quota they state (20) is not "real-world" ..? Regardless, 5 is adequate by far for me... and as far as using a different computer for it to spare my i7... why not just be consolidated?

TrumanHW said:

So, I decided to build a server because all NAS solutions are expensive if they're decent, and some of the decent ones (QNAP 439pro) USES the intel ICH10r !!! The one thing I do NOT have with my server solution is the ability to choose which users have access to which folders. The HomeGroup sharing is really cool; and things like my media are ideal to give full read access to. However, I'd really like to be able to enable my friends to each have their own, password protected folders. Obviously, as the admin I could violate their privacy, but I'd like to be the only person they're all trusting.

I'm having a really hard time finding a way to give selective access. Am I retarded? Am i missing something?

Is the only way through homegroup or to just create user accounts? And if only through user accounts.. how do I restrict them from modifying (read/write as opposed to read only). Can multiple accounts be logged in simultaneously?

I do realize I'm kinda network clueless. Thanks for your help.. and even if its just to say you don't think I have a solution, please chime in.

Go to...

Control Panel -> Network and Sharing -> Advanced Sharing ->
Turn OFF public folder sharing
Turn ON "Use usernames and passwords to access other computers"

Now you need to set up individual shared folders by right clicking the folder, select sharing and create your file share...

To give different users, different permissions, select Advanced Sharing instead and you can add their usernames and adjust their permissions in the resulting dialog.

Only one "gotcha" in this... to access a computer, the user has to have an account name and password that exists on the TARGET computer... So if you want permissions tied to each user... you'll have to give them all accounts on the server (and other computers if they're going to access them as well).