How to Share Among Users on the Same PC

[Daddyman]

Hi. There's something very basic about "sharing" that I'm misunderstanding.

Does the term "sharing" mean sharing with other computers on the network?

If so, then how do you share folders with another user on the same computer? Here's an example: Each of my sons has a Standard user account on the same computer. So 'A' can't access 'B's files, and 'B' can't access 'A's files. They want to be able to share certain folders, like pictures and music.

They could simply copy folders they want to share to the Public user folder, but that's not a practical solution. How do users on the same computer share files and folders? Is it possible to put restrictions on sharing ('B' can view some of 'A's photos, but he can't edit them, etc.)? There's got to be an easier way than fiddling with access permissions, which often ends up with unintended consequences.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Maguscreed]

You should be able to right click a folder choose share with and use the certain people access to allow other user accounts access.

 

[derekimo]

This looks like what you want,

http://www.sevenforums.com/network-sharing/168489-how-can-two-users-share-same-data.html#post1440287

 

[whs]

I would use a slightly different approach. Put the folders you want to share into a seperate data partition. Then everybody can INCLUDE (right click on the folder) those folders into their respective libraries.

 

[seavixen32]

I would use a slightly different approach. Put the folders you want to share into a seperate data partition. Then everybody can INCLUDE (right click on the folder) those folders into their respective libraries.

That's a good suggestion and it is one I use all the time.

With all my personal stuff in its own partition it means it's safe if ever Windows decides to go walkabout.

Also, if ever you dual-boot for whatever reason, it means both systems have access to the data partition without any difficulty.

 

[Daddyman]

Thanks for everyone's help.

@Maguscreed: Right-click and Share is about sharing with other computers on the network. You need to specify a computer name, a 'share path' (UNC address) and how to share with users who are offline.

@derekimo: The tutorial you pointed me to explains how to use access permissions. I'm trying to avoid altering permissions, because that can get very complicated and introduce unintended side-effects.

@whs: Whether the folders are in the same partition or a different partition, and no matter whose library they're in, they still 'belong' to a specified user account. Unless you have the correct
permissions, you can't access another user's folders.

I can't believe that Microsoft made it so easy to share with users on other computers on a network, but so difficult to share with users on the same computer.

Oops, might have spoken too soon. I came across these instructions on Microsoft's website. Has anyone tried this - will it solve my problem?

 

[whs]

@whs: Whether the folders are in the same partition or a different partition, and no matter whose library they're in, they still 'belong' to a specified user account. Unless you have the correct
permissions, you can't access another user's folders.

Hmm, works for me. I even share the folders between Vista and Win7 on the same system.

 

[Daddyman]

Solved!

And the winner is...Maguscreed!

Her/his suggestion to use right-click 'Share with' applies not only to other computers on the network, but also to other users on the same computer. My thanks (and apologies ) to you.

As far as I can tell, you can share folders, but not individual files within a folder; IOW, you can't share only one file within a folder without sharing the other files in the folder. This makes sense, I suppose, because in order to access a file, you have to be able to access the folder in which the file resides.

There are at least three ways to do file sharing. You can use the Sharing Wizard (aka Shared Folder Wizard) or you can use Advanced Sharing.

There are two ways to use the Sharing Wizard/Shared Folder Wizard:

1. Control Panel > Folder Options > View tab > check mark in Sharing Wizard (Recommended); then right-click on the folder you want to share and follow the Wizard.
2. Open the Shared Folder Wizard directly; make a desktop shortcut to C:\Windows\System32\shrpubw.exe

To use Advanced Sharing, don't put a check mark in Sharing Wizard (Recommended); then right-click on the folder you want to share and supply the requested information.

I hope this will be helpful to other readers. The Homegroups feature of Windows 7 makes sharing somewhat easier, but I do not use Homegroups.

 

[seavixen32]

Pleased to hear that your problem is resolved.

Thanks for the valuable feedback as it will probably help someone else further down the line.