Public Folder Sharing - Turn On or Off in Windows 7

    Public Folder Sharing - Turn On or Off in Windows 7

    Public Folder Sharing - Turn On or Off in Windows 7

    How to Turn Public Folder Sharing On or Off in Windows 7
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    Designer Media Ltd


    How to Turn Public Folder Sharing On or Off in Windows 7

       Information
    The Public folders are a convenient way to share files on your computer. You can share files in the Public folders with other people using the same computer and with people using other computers on your network. Any file or folder you put in a Public folder is automatically shared with the people who have access to your Public folders.

    The Public folders are located in the C:\Users\Public folder, and also included in libraries by default.

    This tutorial will show you how to turn Public folder sharing on or off in Windows 7. Public folder sharing is turned off by default (except on a homegroup). When Public folder sharing is turned on, anyone on your computer or network (including homegroup members) can access these folders. When it's off, only people with a user account on your computer can access them.

    You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

       Note
    When you share the Public folder on your computer with other people, they can open and view the files stored there just as if they were stored on their own computers. If you give them permission to change files, any changes they make will change the files on your computer.

    If you like, turning on password protected sharing will allow you to limit Public folder access (except on a homegroup) to only people with a user account and password on your local computer. Password protected sharing isn't available on a domain.






    Here's How:
    1. Do either step 2 or 3 below.

    2. In Windows Explorer, and go to the C:\Users\Public folder. Right click on the Public folder or any file or folder in the Public folder, click on Share with and Advanced sharing settings. (see screenshot below)
    Public Folder Sharing - Turn On or Off in Windows 7-share-.jpg

    A) Go to step 4.
    OR

    3. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click on the Network and Sharing Center icon.
    A) In the left pane, click on the Change advanced sharing settings link. (see screenshot below)
    Public Folder Sharing - Turn On or Off in Windows 7-step-1.jpg
    B) Continue on to step 4.
    4. Click on the Public Folder Sharing - Turn On or Off in Windows 7-arrow.jpg to expand the network that you want to turn Public folder sharing on or off for. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE: Normally this would be your current profile.
    Public Folder Sharing - Turn On or Off in Windows 7-step-2.jpg
    5. To Turn On Public Folder Sharing
    A) Select (dot) Turn on sharing so anyone with network access can read and write files in the Public folders. (see screenshot below step 7)

    B) Go to step 7.
    6. To Turn Off Public Folder Sharing
    A) Select (dot) Turn off Public folder sharing (people logged on to this computer can still access these folders). (see screenshot below step 7)
    7. Click on the Save Changes button. (see screenshot below)
    Public Folder Sharing - Turn On or Off in Windows 7-step-3.jpg
    8. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

    9. When finished, you can close the Network and Sharing Center.
    That's it,
    Shawn








  1. Posts : 52
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #1

    Hello, this is probably a silly question, I enabled public folder share for anonymous/guest, but my main user folder isn't hidden and stay there, is there anyway to hide the other user folder that's shared at \\<computer>\Users\*

    I just want to show Public only for Guest/Anonymous user. Thank you
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    BenyaminL said:
    Hello, this is probably a silly question, I enabled public folder share for anonymous/guest, but my main user folder isn't hidden and stay there, is there anyway to hide the other user folder that's shared at \\<computer>\Users\*

    I just want to show Public only for Guest/Anonymous user. Thank you
    Hello BenyaminL,

    Do they have share access to your user folder?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 52
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #3

    Brink said:
    Hello BenyaminL,

    Do they have share access to your user folder?

    No, but the folder is shown there, but on windows 10 when I go to that folder, only Public folder is shown
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #4

    You could try using Share with > Nobody on your user profile folder to see if that may remove it from showing in shares.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 52
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #5

    Brink said:
    You could try using Share with > Nobody on your user profile folder to see if that may remove it from showing in shares.
    Tried this, sadly still listed and same as before, user can't list the content, but the folder still shown sadly :/

    EDIT : I end up disabling C:\Users sharing, and directly share C:\Users\Public to \\<Computer>\Public, because it really hurt to see my personal folder shown there. I don't know why Windows 10 can hide my main user folder, is it because WinSMB 3.0, or other thing, as we know, SMB on Windows 7 only reach 2.1, as the highest version. Thank you for trying to help.
    Last edited by BenyaminL; 03 Sep 2022 at 07:04. Reason: Adding context
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #6

    BenyaminL said:
    Tried this, sadly still listed and same as before, user can't list the content, but the folder still shown sadly :/

    EDIT : I end up disabling C:\Users sharing, and directly share C:\Users\Public to \\<Computer>\Public, because it really hurt to see my personal folder shown there. I don't know why Windows 10 can hide my main user folder, is it because WinSMB 3.0, or other thing, as we know, SMB on Windows 7 only reach 2.1, as the highest version. Thank you for trying to help.
    Glad you got it hidden again.
      My Computer


 

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