In Windows 2000, XP, or Vista, how do I share a folder, drive, or printer on the network?

To share a folder, drive, or printer on the network in Windows 2000, XP, or Vista:

Verifying that the sharing component is installed

By default, Windows installs the File and Printer Sharing service. To verify that it is installed on your computer:

1. In Windows Vista, from the Start menu, select Control Panel. If needed, click Classic View, and then double-click the Network and Sharing Center icon. From the list on the left side of the screen, choose Manage Network Connections.

   In Windows XP, from the Start menu, select Settings, and then Control Panel; alternatively, click Control Panel. On the left side of the window, click Switch to Classic View if it is available, and then double-click the Network Connections icon.

   In Windows 2000, on the desktop, right-click the My Network Places icon, and then select Properties.

2. Right-click the Local Area Connection icon, and then select Properties. In Windows XP, this icon is most likely underneath the "LAN or High-Speed Internet" heading.
   
   
3. In the area below "This connection uses the following items:" (XP and Vista) or "Components checked are used by this connection:" (2000), a checkbox labeled File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks should appear, and should be checked. If this is so, skip to the directions under "Sharing a folder, drive, or printer". If the checkbox appears but is not checked, click to check it and click OK, and then skip to "Sharing a folder, drive, or printer".

Installing file and printer sharing

If the File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks component is not present, to install it:

1. Click Install. Select the Service icon, and then click Add... .
   
   
2. Select the File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks checkbox, and then click OK.
   
   
3. Click Close. If a dialog window appears telling you to restart your computer, do so.

Sharing a folder, drive, or printer

Once File and Printer Sharing is installed, to share a folder or drive:

1. Right-click the folder or drive you want to share.
   
   
2. In Windows Vista, select Share... . From the drop-down list, choose other computers you wish to share the folder with, and then click Add. Select permission levels, and then click Share.

   In Windows XP, select Sharing and Security... .

   In Windows 2000, select Sharing... .

3. Click Share this folder.
   
   
4. In the appropriate fields, type the name of the share (as it appears to other computers), the maximum number of simultaneous users, and any comments that should appear beside it.
   
   
5. If you would like to grant access to particular groups or individuals, click Permissions to add the appropriate groups or usernames.
   
   
6. If you are using NTFS, check the permissions in the Security tab to ensure that they are properly set to allow people access to the share. Because Security settings override Share permissions, it is possible for people on the Permissions list to be denied access to the share because they either are not specified or are denied specifically in the Security list.

   Note: FAT32 does not provide the same level of security as NTFS. You will not see the Security tab if you are using FAT32.

7. Click OK.

To share a printer:

1. In Windows Vista Classic View, click Start, then Settings, and then Printers. In the Windows Vista default view, click Start, then Control Panel, and then Printers.

   In Windows XP Classic View, click Start, then Settings, and then Printer and Faxes. In the Windows XP default view, click Start, and then Printers and Faxes.

   In Windows 2000, click Start, then Settings, and then Printers.

2. Right-click the printer you want to share, and then select Sharing... .
   
   
3. In Windows Vista, check the box next to Share this Printer. Under Share name, select a shared name to identify the printer. Click OK.
   
   In Windows XP or Windows 2000, select Shared as: . Enter a name for the printer, and then click OK.

Accessing a shared folder or printer

To find and access a shared folder or printer:

1. From the desktop (Windows XP, Vista Classic View, or 2000) or the Start menu (Windows XP or Vista default view), double-click My Network Places (Windows XP or 2000) or Network (Vista).
   
   
2. Select Search Active Directory. In Windows Vista, this will be on the top of the window; in Windows XP or Windows 2000, it will be on the left side of the window.
   
   
3. From the drop-down menu next to "Find:", select either Printers or Shared Folders.
   
   
4. You can now enter search terms in the appropriate fields to modify the search, and start the search by clicking Find Now. To search for shared printers and folders that match any criteria, simply click Find Now without entering any search terms.
   
   
5. You will see a list of shared printers and folders that are available on the network. Double-click the item to which you want to connect.

If you know the exact name of the computer and the share, or the exact name of the printer, you can enter it directly:

1. From the Start menu, in Windows Vista, use the Start Search field. In Windows XP or Windows 2000, select Run... .
   
   
2. Enter two backslashes, the name of the computer, another backslash, and then the name of the share or printer. For example, if the name of the computer is bl-iub-threepio.ads.iu.edu and the name of the share is r2d2, type: \\bl-iub-threepio.ads.iu.edu\r2d2
3. Click OK.

If you need to repeatedly access a shared folder or network drive, you can map to it. Mapping creates a persistent link to the share, allowing you to double-click its icon in My Computer whenever you want access. For instructions on mapping a drive, see In Microsoft Windows, how do I map a drive?

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