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:
- In Windows Vista, from the
Startmenu, selectControl Panel. If needed, clickClassic View, and then double-click theNetwork and Sharing Centericon. From the list on the left side of the screen, chooseManage Network Connections.In Windows XP, from the
Startmenu, selectSettings, and thenControl Panel; alternatively, clickControl Panel. On the left side of the window, clickSwitch to Classic Viewif it is available, and then double-click theNetwork Connectionsicon.In Windows 2000, on the desktop, right-click the
My Network Placesicon, and then selectProperties. - Right-click the
Local Area Connectionicon, and then selectProperties. In Windows XP, this icon is most likely underneath the "LAN or High-Speed Internet" heading.
- 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 Networksshould 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 clickOK, 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:
- Click
Install. Select theServiceicon, and then clickAdd....
- Select the
File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networkscheckbox, and then clickOK.
- 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:
- Right-click the folder or drive you want to share.
- In Windows Vista, select
Share.... From the drop-down list, choose other computers you wish to share the folder with, and then clickAdd. Select permission levels, and then clickShare.In Windows XP, select
Sharing and Security....In Windows 2000, select
Sharing.... - Click
Share this folder.
- 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.
- If you would like to grant access to particular groups or
individuals, click
Permissionsto add the appropriate groups or usernames.
- If you are using NTFS, check the permissions in the
Securitytab 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
Securitytab if you are using FAT32. - Click
OK.
To share a printer:
- In Windows Vista Classic View, click
Start, thenSettings, and thenPrinters. In the Windows Vista default view, clickStart, thenControl Panel, and thenPrinters.In Windows XP Classic View, click
Start, thenSettings, and thenPrinter and Faxes. In the Windows XP default view, clickStart, and thenPrinters and Faxes.In Windows 2000, click
Start, thenSettings, and thenPrinters. - Right-click the printer you want to share, and then select
Sharing....
- In Windows Vista, check the box next to
Share this Printer. UnderShare name, select a shared name to identify the printer. ClickOK.
In Windows XP or Windows 2000, selectShared as:. Enter a name for the printer, and then clickOK.
Accessing a shared folder or printer
To find and access a shared folder or printer:
- From the desktop (Windows XP, Vista Classic View, or 2000) or the
Startmenu (Windows XP or Vista default view), double-clickMy Network Places(Windows XP or 2000) orNetwork(Vista).
- 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.
- From the drop-down menu next to "Find:", select either
PrintersorShared Folders.
- 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 clickFind Nowwithout entering any search terms.
- 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:
- From the
Startmenu, in Windows Vista, use theStart Searchfield. In Windows XP or Windows 2000, selectRun....
- 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.eduand the name of the share isr2d2, type: \\bl-iub-threepio.ads.iu.edu\r2d2 - 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?
Last modified on May 13, 2009.







