How to View Files on a Networked Computer

You can access files through a network when you group computers in your office or home. It makes file sharing, accessing remote information, editing files and moving files or folders easy. For example, if you need to share photographs of an important event, put them on the network so any connected users can view them. Follow these steps to create a network.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Know what kinds of networks you could create. These include Local Area Network (LAN), Campus Area Network (CAN), Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) and the Wide Area Network (WAN). In LAN, computers are connected within a single specific local area that could be your office or home. The CAN encompasses connectivity in a campus while MAN covers a metropolitan area. In WAN, the network has a wide reach. It includes connectivity with different cities and countries through phone or satellite links.

2. Turn your computer on for viewing files on a networked computer. Wait until the operating system loads fully.

3. Click the "Start" button. It will display several options. Click "My Network Places." Wait for the icon contents to open.

4. Find "Entire network" or "View work group computers" on the left-hand side. There you'll find "Add Network Place." Press "My Network Places" or "View work group computers."

5. Glance through the options visible on the screen. You'll be able to see a list of all the computers networked, including some software applications that form part of the network. Computers will display the names you gave them when you loaded the operating system.

6. Double-click on the name of the computer that has the file you need.

7. Browse shared files or folders on that computer.

8. Click on the folder that contains the file you need. If you don't know where the data is located, try to locate it through the "Search" button.

9. Verify if the network is password protected. In that case, you may have to authenticate it by providing its dedicated username and password.

10. Double-click on the files to view them on the networked computer.

11. Copy, delete or move files from the networked computers to your computer.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the network speed. If you have too many files stored on the desktop, the network will run slowly.
• Designate a drive that holds the files you want people on the network to have access to. Create a password to protect the information.
• Password protection can shield your computer from network viruses and worms.
• Set sharing preferences for sensitive files and data on your networked computer.