Chapter 7), they can share disks, folders, files, and devicesspecific documents, MP3s, videos, CDs, or DVDsfrom any networked PC, including yours. You in turn can access them if you're logged on to a network computer other than your usual one. File sharing abolishes "sneakernet"transferring files by carrying floppies or CDs from one machine to another.
Windows XP offers two types of sharing: easy-to-use, slightly risky
Simple file sharing and complex, secure
Classic file sharing, inherited from Windows 2000. XP Home edition users have no choice: they must use Simple file sharing. Pro edition users can use either Simple or Classic file sharing unless they're joined to a domain, which
always uses Classic file sharing.
To switch between Simple and Classic file sharing:
1. In Windows Explorer, choose Tools > Folder Options > View tab.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the Advanced Settings list; then check Use Simple File Sharing (Recommended) to use Simple file sharing or uncheck it to use Classic file sharing (Figure 17.15 ).
3. Click OK (or Apply).
Tip
If you're not on a network, you can use the techniques described here to share files with other users on the
same PC. If they try to open a private folder or file, they see an "Access is denied" error message.
Simple file sharing is appropriate for a home or a small office where you trust
all the other people on the network. Configuration is easy; you can share a disk or folder by checking a box. Unfortunately, it's not very safe.
Every network user can view your shared items and, if you're collaborating, edit and delete them too. (Remember, files deleted across a network disappear instantly, bypassing the Recycle Bin.)
To share a disk or folder:
1. In Windows Explorer or My Computer, locate the disk or folder to share.
You can share only disks and folders, not individual files. Sharing a disk or folder shares all its files, folders, and nested folders. Folder sharing is safer than disk sharing and doesn't make other users search your entire drive for a relevant folder.
2. Right-click the icon; then choose Sharing and Security (or choose Properties > Sharing tab).
If you're sharing a disk, you'll see a warning; click If You Understand the Risk but Still Want to Share the Root of This Drive, Click Here.
3. In the Network Sharing and Security section, check Share This Folder on the Network (Figure 17.16 ).
4. In the Share Name box, type a name for the shared item.
Other users see this name in their My Network Places windows, so use a short, descriptive name. (This network name won't change the item's name on
your computer.)
all users to change the files in the shared folder, check Allow Network Users to Change My Files.
Unchecking this box creates a
read-only disk or folder. Other users can open what's inside it, but they can't edit, delete, or rename anything; neither can they add new files. They can, however, copy items
out of the folder to their own disks.
6. Click OK.
The shared item's icon changes (Figure 17.17 ).
Tips
which users have full access to your files; either all do, or none does. Classic file sharing remedies this problem.
You can't share Documents and Settings, Program Files, and Windows system folders. If you're not an Administrator, you can't share folders in other users' profiles.
Turning on a folder's sharing check boxes (refer to Figure 17.16) doesn't turn on the same check boxes for its nested folders, but those nested folders
are shared, no matter what their check boxes say.
To make a nested folder in a shared folder private, right-click the nested folder; choose Properties > Sharing tab; then check Make This Folder Private (refer to Figure 17.16).
If you append a $ character to a share name in step 4 (GamblingDebts$, for example), that item is shared but
hidden; it won't appear in anyone's My Network Places window. You and anyone else entrusted with the name can connect to the item by typing its UNC nameincluding the $any place network paths are accepted, such as an Address bar or the Map Network Drive dialog box.
Classic file sharing is more secure and flexible than Simple file sharing, at the cost of added complexity. You can set share permissions for individual users and groups to, say, grant some people full access, others read-only access, and others no access. (To turn on Classic file sharing, see "To switch between Simple and Classic file sharing" earlier in this section.)
Classic file sharing, roughly speaking, adds a permissions step to Simple file sharing. Unfortunately, the subtleties lurking behind that stepsuch as group policies, inherited permissions, and interactions with NTFS permissionsare quite complicated. I cover only the basics here. To appreciate this sharing model and use it competently, consult a book on Windows XP or 2000 network administration.
To share a disk or folder:
1. In Windows Explorer or My Computer, locate the disk or folder to share.
2. Right-click the icon; then choose Sharing and Security (or choose Properties > Sharing tab).
3. Select Share This Folder (Figure 17.18 ).
4. Accept or edit the proposed share name.
5. To avoid slowing your PC or to moderate network traffic, select Allow This Number of Users, and type the maximum number of people who can use the share at the same time.
(If you click OK now, everyone on the network gets full access.)
6. Click Permissions (Figure 17.19 ).
The first time that you share a folder, the Permissions dialog box contains only Everyone in the Group or User Names list.
7. To add users or groups, click Add; type one or more user or group names separated by semicolons; then click OK (Figure 17.20 ).
8. Click the name of a person or group.
9. Select Allow, Deny, or neither for each access-control entry.
Full Control allows users to read, edit, delete, rename, and create files. In addition, users can change permissions and take file ownership (possibly locking you out of your own documents).
Change allows users to read, edit, delete, and rename files but not create new files.
Read allows users to read files but not edit, delete, or rename them.
10. Click OK in each of the open dialog boxes. The shared item's icon changes (refer to Figure 17.17).