How to Turn on File & Printer Sharing
File and printer sharing is a robust tool that allows the customization and allocation of shared resources on any network-enabled PC. In other words, two computers on the same network, each with a printer, are not forced to share both printers and all files. Instead, what is shared can be individually customized on each PC. Microsoft made the process more streamlined and controllable in Windows XP and Vista, in turn making it easy for a novice or seasoned computer user to turn on file and printer sharing.
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Instructions
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Instructions for Windows XP and 2000
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1
Open the Windows "Start Menu." Locate "Control Panel," and left-click it.
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2
Left-click "Network Connections." All computers available on the network will appear in the new window.
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3
Right-click your computer's network connection that you want enabled for file and printer sharing. A secondary menu will appear; right-click "Properties," and the properties window will open.
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4
Check the box next to "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Windows," which will enable sharing capabilities on this network connection. Select "OK" or 'Apply," and close the window. File and printer sharing is now turned on.
Instructions for Windows Vista
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5
Open the Windows "Start Menu." Locate "Control Panel," and left-click it.
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6
Navigate to "Network and Internet," and left-click it. In the new menu that appears, left-click "Network and Sharing Center."
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7
Left-click the down arrows next to "Network discovery," "File sharing" and "Printer sharing." Ensure they are all enabled by left-clicking "Turn on network discovery," "Turn on file sharing" and "Turn on printer sharing." Left-click "Apply" after enabling each one, respectively.
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8
Enable "Public folder sharing" only if you want to place each shared file in your public folder. If so, enable it the same way as in Step 3; otherwise, leave it disabled.
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9
Close all the open windows. File and printer sharing is now turned on.
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Tips & Warnings
After turning on file and printer sharing, you have to indicate which folders or printers you would want to share on the network. You can share an entire drive or individual folder. See Resources for links with detailed instructions on how to do this.
When connected to a public network, or when traveling, it is always advisable to turn off network discovery or file and printer sharing.
Anything you share can be accessed from any computer with access to the network with which it is shared. As you share folders from your computer, enable security or read-and-write privileges to protect your original files.
Windows 7 changed network sharing and security through the use of homegroups and shared assignments; therefore, visit the link provided in Resources for information about sharing in Windows 7.
