SHARE Files with Windows Computers

Task #94

Difficulty Level 3

Mac OS X Panther can readily share files with both Macintosh and Microsoft Windows computers. Panther uses the technology named Samba behind the scenes to communicate with Windows computers, which makes them appear much like a Mac on the network.

You can activate Windows file sharing in the Sharing pane of System Preferences. Once activated, you can view Windows files in the Finder: Shared Windows files will appear in a Finder window if you click the Browse button. Otherwise, you are free to connect directly to the Windows machine by means of its IP address.

You can turn on file sharing for a particular folder in Windows by right-clicking its icon. From the pop-up menu that appears, choose Sharing and Security. In the window that appears, you can activate sharing for the folder as well as assign a name for that folder on the network. This is the name that you see when viewing the network in the Finder.