How to Share the Shared Documents Folder on XP Home

Microsoft Windows XP has simple features for sharing files and folders on a local computer network in a home or office. If two or more computers are connected to the same network router, they can share files. This obviates the need for home users to have a separate and expensive network server just to make file sharing possible. Essentially each individual computer operates as its own server and makes files available to all the others. The settings are relatively straightforward to configure file sharing on Windows XP Home Edition.

Things You'll Need

• Windows XP computer
• Computer network

Instructions

Manage Workgroups

1. Verify the computers are on the same Microsoft network workgroup. The Windows XP file sharing mechanism allows computers to be divided into multiple virtual workgroups. Only computers on the same network and also labeled with the same workgroup will share files. Right-click the "My Computer" icon on the Desktop, or the "My Computer" menu in the "Start" menu, if it is placed there.

2. Choose "Properties" and then the "Computer Name" tab. All computers that share files must show the same name in the "Workgroup" area of this screen.

3. Press the "Change" button to re-assign the workgroup, if necessary, so all computers that share files show the same workgroup name. By default, all Windows computers will use "MSHOME," so this configuration may not be necessary unless this is altered away from the default on any computer.

4. Press the "OK" buttons to exit these screens. The computers now exist on the same network workgroup.

Shared Documents Folder

1. Locate the "Shared Documents" folder on any PC which is to share its files with another computer. It is usually listed in the "My Computer" window or menu.

2. Right-click the "Shared Documents" folder and choose "Sharing and Security." Alternately, choose "Properties" and then select the "Sharing" tab.

3. Click in the check box in the second (middle) section of this window, entitled "Network sharing and security."

4. Press the "Apply" button, then the "OK" button.

Map Network Drive

1. Turn on each computer on the network that should have access to this folder.

2. Click the "My Network Places" icon or command on any computer that should have access. This is available from the Windows Desktop or the "Start Menu."

3. Click the "Tools" menu and choose the "Map Network Drive" option.

4. Click the "Browse" button and navigate to the "Shared Documents" folder of the other computer you configured. It will be located in the "MSHOME" category, or the the name of the workgroup you have assigned to all the computers.

5. Click on the "Shared Documents" folder in this list and press the "OK" buttons until the screen are closed. The folder is now shared to this computer and appears as a separate folder in the "My Network Places" list. Make the same connection on any other PC on the network to share the files among all computers.

References

• How to configure file sharing in Windows XP