At IU, using Windows, how can I access shared resources on other Windows computers?

Note: For information on setting up sharing in Windows Vista, XP, or 2000, see In Windows 2000, XP, or Vista, how do I share a folder, drive, or printer on the network?

To access shared resources on Windows computers, first make sure that your computer is set up correctly, with the correct WINS servers specified (see At IUB or IUPUI, what information will I need to configure my Internet software?). If the computer is connected to the Indiana University network using either a direct Ethernet connection or a PPP connection via modem, you can connect to shared hard drives or printers using the following methods:

Using the Find utility

Note: If this doesn't match what you see, refer to About navigation settings in Windows.

1. In Windows XP or 2000, from the Start menu, select Search, and then select For Files or Folders... . To specify that your search will be for other computers, in the next window, click Computers.
   
   
2. Enter the name of the computer to which you wish to connect. Use the NetBIOS name, which is the name given to the computer for the purpose of Microsoft Networking.
   
   
3. The computer should appear in the window. Double-click the computer's icon. A window will open showing the shared folders and printers (i.e., shares) available on the computer. If you double-click a share, you may be asked to log in.

Using the command line

1. From the Start menu, in Windows Vista, click the "Start Search" box; in previous versions, select Run... . Alternatively, open a DOS or command line window.
   
   
2. Enter two backslashes followed by the name of the computer to which you wish to connect. For example, if the NetBIOS name of the remote computer is POTATO, then enter: \\POTATO

   Note: The above command is not case sensitive.

   If you know the name of the share on the remote computer, you can enter the UNC path to that share. For example, the UNC path to a share called C-DRIVE on a computer named POTATO would be:

   \\POTATO\C-DRIVE
3. The computer should appear in the window. Double-click the computer's icon. A window will open, showing the shared folders and printers (i.e., shares) available on the computer. If you double-click a share, you may be asked to log in.

Using Network Neighborhood (My Network Places in Windows XP and 2000)

1. Double-click the Network Neighborhood icon. (In Windows XP and 2000, this icon is called My Network Places; in Windows XP, you may need to look in the Start menu.) You may see some computers that you can open by double-clicking their icons.
   
   
2. If the computer you are looking for is not there, you can look inside Entire Network.

   Note: On Windows 2000 computers, after you click Entire Network, you may get what appears to be a blank window. On the left side, click the link Entire Contents. Next, double-click the icon Microsoft Windows Network.

3. If you can't find the computer in Entire Network, check the last objects in Entire Network. These items are NT domains (e.g., the Active Directory Service, or ADS). You may find the computer you are looking for in one of these NT domains.
   
   
4. If you can't find the computer at all, that does not mean it is down or unavailable. The Network Neighborhood display depends on browsing, but often browsing does not work as intended, and PCs do not appear on the browse list. If you cannot locate the remote computer in Network Neighborhood, use one of the other methods to connect to it.

Mapping a drive letter

Once you have made shared drives or folders visible, you can open them or explore them like any other folder. You can also map them to drive letters which, while convenient for all other purposes, is necessary only when you wish to run 16-bit Windows or DOS applications from that drive. To map to a drive letter:

1. Right-click a shared drive or folder, and then select Map Network Drive... .
   
   
2. Check the box marked Reconnect at Logon to have your computer attempt to connect to the share on the remote computer whenever you log into your computer.
   
   
3. Choose a drive letter and folder, and then click OK or Finish.

Note: UITS recommends that you use a current version of Windows on computers connected to the Indiana University network; see Recommended Windows operating systems at IU.

Comments/Questions/Corrections