Shared Folder Permissions in XP

Adjusting your shared folders permissions gives you control over access to your documents.

If your computer has more than one user account or is part of a network, you can take advantage of Microsoft Windows XP's simple file sharing options for shared folder permissions.

Shared Folders

Folders with access levels of four or five are considered shared folders on a Windows XP-based computer. Level four access grants everyone who is not the owner read permission, while level five access grants everyone full access to the folder, meaning that they can read and make changes to the contents of the folder.

Private Folders

Access levels one through three render the folder private. A private folder cannot be shared until you change its access level to either four or five. Likewise, a shared folder cannot be made private until you assign it an access level of one through three.

Simple File Sharing

Simple file sharing is the default setting for most computers running Microsoft Windows XP. When enabled, everyone in your workgroup has access to all of your shared folders. When disabled, no one has access to your shared folders until you share particular folders with particular users or groups, adding another layer of control to shared folder permissions.

References

• Microsoft Support: How to Disable Simple File Sharing and how to set permissions on a shared folder in Windows XP.
• Microsoft Support: How to Use the Simple File Sharing Feature to Share Files in Windows XP.