Start File and Printer Sharing

Starting File and Printer sharing is quite simple. Once you do, you should be able to view computers you share in Network Neighborhood. Keep in mind that you should always use a firewall, which hides your network from unauthorized users on the Internet. Your router, if you have one, will probably have a built-in firewall. If not, you can download a free software firewall, as we discuss in Chapter 12. With that security warning in mind, here's how to turn on File and Printer sharing.

  1. Right-click Network Neighborhood.

  2. Choose Properties.

  3. Click the File and Print Sharing button (Figure 7.11).

    Figure 7.11. Click the File and Print Sharing button.

    graphics/07fig11.jpg

  4. Select "I want to be able to give others access to my files" (Figure 7.12).

    Figure 7.12. Start File and Print sharing.

    graphics/07fig12.jpg

  5. Select "I want to be able to allow others to print to my printers."

  6. Click OK.

So now you've set up your network to share files and printers, but you haven't actually shared anything yet. Let's take care of that now. Here's how to share a file:

  1. Navigate to a folder you want to share, either by opening My Computer or Windows Explorer (or by selecting one from your desktop).

  2. Right-click the folder and choose Sharing (Figure 7.13).

    Figure 7.13. Choose Sharing.

    graphics/07fig13.jpg

  3. Select "Shared As:" (Figure 7.14).

    Figure 7.14. Choosing Shared As will make the folder available on your network.

    graphics/07fig14.jpg

  4. Choose whether users can read or edit your files by selecting "Read-Only" or "Full."

  5. If you choose "Full" or "Depends on Password," you need to choose a password.

  6. Depending on whether you choose Full or Depends on Password, enter a password in the appropriate password text box.

  7. Click OK.

You're all set, and your folder is now shared.

What about sharing a printer? Let's share the printer connected to your PC with everyone on your wireless network. Here's how:

  1. Double-click My Computer.

  2. Double-click Printers (Figure 7.15).

    Figure 7.15. Double-click Printers.

    graphics/07fig15.jpg

  3. Right-click the icon of the printer you want to share (Figure 7.16).

    Figure 7.16. Share your printer.

    graphics/07fig16.jpg

  4. Choose Sharing.

  5. If it's not already selected, choose the "Shared As" selection (Figure 7.17).

    Figure 7.17. Choose Shared As.

    graphics/07fig17.jpg

  6. Click OK.

In the next section, we'll use Network Neighborhood on your desktop to view and use the folders and printers you've shared.



Complete Home Wireless Networking. Windows XP Edition
Complete Home Wireless Networking. Windows XP Edition
ISBN: N/A
EAN: N/A
Year: 2002
Pages: 118

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