File Sharing - Between XP and W7 (and vice versa)

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    File Sharing - Between XP and W7 (and vice versa)

    File Sharing - Between XP and W7 (and vice versa)

    Create Shares
    Published by
    Designer Media Ltd


       Information
    This is a simple tutorial on how to create a share folder on windows XP/W7 and how to map to them from one machine to the other.

       Note
    It is assumed that the two machines can ping one another over the network. "File and Printer sharing" on W7 to be turned ON. How you set up your machines to be able to ping one another is up to you.



    Steps:

    W7 to XP

    1) On XP, select the folder you wish to share, right-click > Sharing and Security. Then tick the boxes as shown (Here i have elected the test folder under C:\ to be my shared folder). Then click Apply and OK.
       Note
    After the folder is shared, you will see the hand under the folder.

    File Sharing - Between XP and W7 (and vice versa)-noname.jpg
    2) On W7, mapping to this test shared folder can be done in many ways. One way is typing in the search box under the Start menu as shown. Then hit Enter make sure the cursor is inside the box otherwise you will engage the shutdown box lol).
       Note
    I have set manual IP to my XP machine, it's IP is 192.168.1.9

    File Sharing - Between XP and W7 (and vice versa)-noname1.jpg
    Should you be prompted with logon credentials. Use the username and password with appropriate rights. Here I used the ID I log onto the XP machine with. You may need to put computername\username as the userid should the username alone doesn't work.

    That's it, the explorer window will pop up and you now ready to share files. Just put any files in the folder from XP and it'll show up in the share.

    XP to W7

    3) On W7, select the folder you wish to share, right-click > Sharing With. Then select Specific People (here i have elected the test1 folder under D:\ to be my shared folder). You will need to select who you want to share the folder to (here i have elected the userid with which i log onto W7 with. Highlight the name and Click the Share button. Then Done at the next screen.
    File Sharing - Between XP and W7 (and vice versa)-noname2.jpg
    File Sharing - Between XP and W7 (and vice versa)-noname3.jpg
    4) As with point 2, Start > Run and type as shown. Then hit OK.
       Note
    My IP to me W7 is 192.168.1.100

    File Sharing - Between XP and W7 (and vice versa)-noname4.jpg
    Should you be prompted with logon credentials. Use the username and password with appropriate rights. Here I used the ID I log onto the W7 machine with. You may need to put computername\username as the userid should the username alone doesn't work.

    That's it, the explorer window will pop up and you now ready to share files. Just put any files in the folder from W7 and it'll show up in the share.
    File Sharing - Between XP and W7 (and vice versa)-noname5.jpg



  1. Posts : 3,427
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #1

    File Sharing - Between Windows 7 and XP Network Computers


    How to Share Folders Between Windows 7 and XP Network

    One of the questions we hear most on this forum is regarding networking a Windows 7 Computer and a Windows XP Computer, and it has come to my attention that SevenForums doesn't have a tutorial on this. So here we go, this is how you do it

       Note
    This Tutorial is still under construction, certain elements are still missing, namely screenshots for the XP bits

    get a pen and paper handy you will need them later on


       Warning
    I should point out that this Tutorial will disable all built in windows security on your network. 99% of issues with this are caused by Windows 7's new upgraded network security, so we switch it all off to get it working. I do NOT recommend this for corporate networks or networks with machines which you do not know connecting. Only do this if you know and trust all machines on the network and everyone's intentions. Disabling the security features in this tutorial will NOT compromise your machines security on the internet.


    Lets get Started

    Preparing Windows 7 for networking

    1. First, open up Networking and Sharing centre by clicking the internet icon in the bottom right hand corner and then clicking Open Network and Sharing Centre.

    File Sharing - Between XP and W7 (and vice versa)-step1.png

    2. Under View Active Networks, if the type of network is listed as "Home" or "Public" then change it to "Work" (so in the below screenshot, my network is a "Home" network but in order to network to an XP machine it needs to be on a "Work" Network)

    File Sharing - Between XP and W7 (and vice versa)-step2.png

    2b. While you are here, click Choose Homegroup and Sharing Options>Change advanced sharing options, and make sure that the following options are set:
    a. turn on file and printer sharing
    b. turn on network discovery
    c. turn on sharing so anyone with network acces can read and write files in the public folders
    d. turn OFF password protected sharing (VERY IMPORTANT!!!)
    e. Enable file sharing for devices that use 40- or 56- bit encryption (this one is optional, I am not sure if XP needs this, but it doesnt do any harm to be thorough, so check it anyway)

    click save changes on all windows so far just to make sure it has all gone through ( I know this sounds obvious but it is easily missed)

    File Sharing - Between XP and W7 (and vice versa)-step2b-1-.png
    File Sharing - Between XP and W7 (and vice versa)-step2b-2-.png
    File Sharing - Between XP and W7 (and vice versa)-step2b-3-.png

    3. Next click Start then right click Computer in the Window that opens under Computer Name, Domain and Workgroup Settings check that the Workgroup name is set to WORKGROUP (this SHOULD be the default, but it is always worth checking) if not, then you will need to click Change settings and change it to WORKGROUP (Make sure its in capitals. I'm not sure if Capitalisation matters, but we will assume that it does to avoid headaches later)
    File Sharing - Between XP and W7 (and vice versa)-step3.png

    Finally, lets share a folder, In my experience the "Public" folders used by default do not work properly for Workgroups. So we will create a shared folder of our own to use. In this example, My folder will be at D:\Pictures\Tutorial\Shared because that is the folder i am using to create the screenshots for this tutorial, obviously replace my path with whatever the path of your shared folder is

    4. Right click your shared folder and click Properties, then select the Sharing tab followed by "Advanced Sharing" (Please note your screen will differ slightly from mine, you will notice my network path says \\Martin-PC\Pictures\Tutorials\Shared at this point yours will say "Not Shared" this is normal so dont worry about it)

    File Sharing - Between XP and W7 (and vice versa)-step4-1-.png

    5. Check the box which says "Share this folder" and then click Permissions at this point 2 things could happen,
    a) Under the permissions tab you have a box which says "Everyone" this is what we are aiming for, if you do then check the box which says "Full Control Allow"
    File Sharing - Between XP and W7 (and vice versa)-step5-1-.png
    b) If you do not have a box which says Everyone then click Add and under "Enter Objects name" type Everyone then click Check Names, If it looks similar to the screenshot below, click ok and then follow step 5a.
    File Sharing - Between XP and W7 (and vice versa)-step5-2-.png
    c) before exiting the properties screen make a note of the network path (in my case this is \\Martin-PC\Picures\Tutorial\Shared

    Click Ok etc. and there you go, your Windows 7 machine is set up for sharing.

    Preparing the XP Machine for Sharing

    You will be pleased to hear that setting up XP is MUCH easier. so without further ado away we go. (Apologies for the lack of screenshots)

    1. Make sure you are logged in as an administrator

    2. Click Start>Control Panel>Performance and Maintenance>System

    3. Click on the Computer Name tab

    4. Click Change next to where it says "To rename this computer or to join a Domain click Change

    5. Change the Workgroup name to WORKGROUP (again capitlise it just in case) the default on XP is MSHOME so this will more than likely need changing (as opposed to the Win 7 section where we were just checking)

    6. If prompted to restart the computer, do so and then come back here.

    7. Create a Shared folder somewhere easily accessible (My Documents or the Desktop would be a good choice)

    8. Right click the folder you just made and click "Sharing and Security" click "Share this Folder" or run the network and sharing wizard.

    9. Make a shortcut somewhere accessible (next to the shared folder you created in step 7 would be a good choice) by right clicking and going "new shortcut" under path, type in the Network Path that you wrote down for the Windows 7 machine (This step is optional, it just makes it easier to find your shared folder as finding them can be a pain in XP) This will then allow you access to the folder you shared in Windows 7

    10. In Windows 7 open a new Explorer window, on the left hand side go to the Network icon, there you should see your XP PC's name, double click it, and you should see the folder you shared.


    And there you have it :) Enjoy!
    Last edited by severedsolo; 10 Jun 2010 at 17:20.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2,737
    Windows 7 Enterprise (x64); Windows Server 2008 R2 (x64)
       #2

    FYI: Please note that doing it this way there is NO security. This maybe great for a home network (unless you have teenagers with friends that know computers). I would NEVER set up it this way at work or on a large network.
    Last edited by WindowsStar; 01 Feb 2011 at 23:25.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 3,427
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #3

    very good point Windows Star, I will put that in cheers
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 2,737
    Windows 7 Enterprise (x64); Windows Server 2008 R2 (x64)
       #4

    severedsolo said:
    very good point Windows Star, I will put that in cheers
    We have to keep each other on our toes. The GURUs catch me now and then. :)
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 3,427
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #5

    WindowsStar said:
    severedsolo said:
    very good point Windows Star, I will put that in cheers
    We have to keep each other on our toes. The GURUs catch me now and then. :)
    Indeed. I have put a warning in the tutorial now. Have i covered it do you think?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 12,177
    Windows 7 Ult x64 - SP1/ Windows 8 Pro x64
       #6

    Great tutorial, good job :)
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 2,737
    Windows 7 Enterprise (x64); Windows Server 2008 R2 (x64)
       #7

    severedsolo said:
    WindowsStar said:
    severedsolo said:
    very good point Windows Star, I will put that in cheers
    We have to keep each other on our toes. The GURUs catch me now and then. :)
    Indeed. I have put a warning in the tutorial now. Have i covered it do you think?
    Looks very good! Great Job!
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 122
    se7en
       #8

    Great tut!

    Im curious though, what if u want to share files but not enable encryption( add a password to acces the network)so ANYONE can access the shared files. Is there a way to keep clients from altering your computer or accessing files that arent being shared within the network? So they would only be able to View or listen to the specified files or media. Would this be possible on XP desktop with USB wireless adapter if not, a Laptop running windows 7 with a built in wifi card.. ty. So for these tutorial u HAVE to "Run" the IP and file name to view the file
    And is this called an Ad-hoc connection?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 3,427
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #9

    An Ad-Hoc connection is basically a connection between two machines that are connected directly.

    If you want to be technical about it, if both machines are communicating through a router then technically thats not Ad-Hoc but I always think of Ad-Hoc as being "not on the internet"

    If you don't want them to be able to modify the files, then set the permissions to "Read Only" for "Everyone" and "Full Control" for the people you want to be able to modify them (2nd tutorial)
      My Computer


 
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