How to Share Picture Files

Pictures may be shared via email or a free photo-sharing website such as Flickr. Additionally, sharing picture files over a network in Microsoft Windows 7 is simple to configure. A new concept in Windows 7 is the "homegroup." The homegroup defines a personal network, usually a LAN, and enables computers in the homegroup to seamlessly share files, including picture files.

Instructions

Create a Homegroup and Share Pictures

1. Log in to the computer with the picture files to share. Ensure the computer is connected to the network.

2. Click Windows "Start" and then "Control Panel."

3. Click the "Network and Internet" option in the Control Panel.

4. Click the "HomeGroup" link.

5. Click the "Create a HomeGroup" button. The HomeGroup Sharing options interface will launch.

6. Check the checkbox in front of the "Pictures" option.

7. Click the "Next" button. The HomeGroup password will appear. Record this password in a safe place. All computers connecting to the new HomeGroup will be required to enter this password.

8. Click the "Finish" button. The HomeGroup is now created and the picture files are shared.

Join the HomeGroup and Access Shared Pictures from Other Computers

1. Click Windows "Start" and then click "Control Panel" on a computer connected to the network. This computer will join the newly created HomeGroup.

2. Click the "Network and Internet" option in the Control Panel interface.

3. Click the "HomeGroup" option. The HomeGroup function will find the newly created HomeGroup and will allow the computer to join the group from this page.

4. Click the "Join Now" button.

5. Check the checkboxes in front of the items to share over the network, if desired.

6. Click the "Next" button.

7. Type the HomeGroup password (provided in the first section, above).

8. Click the "Finish" button. The second computer is now connected to the HomeGroup and may share pictures and files with the first computer. Files on the second computer are shared according to the options selected when joining HomeGroup.

Share Picture Files via Email

1. Click "Start" and then click the program link for an email client such as Outlook.

2. Click "New" to create a new email message. Type a recipient's email address in the "To:" field and type a subject in the "Subject" field. Type a message in the body of the email.

3. Click the "Attachments" or "Add Attachment" button to add picture files to the email. (In Outlook, the paperclip icon on the top navigation bar will open the "Add Attachments" window.)

4. Navigate to and click on each picture file to add as an attachment to the email.

5. Click "Send." The picture files will be shared via email with the recipient.

Share Picture Files with Flickr

1. Open an Internet browser and navigate to the Flickr website.

2. Click the "Create Your Account" button to create an account, or log in to the site if an account has already been created. (Flickr is associated with Yahoo!, so the Yahoo! email account login will work in Flickr.)

3. Click the "Upload Photos" link. The "File Upload" dialog box will open. Navigate to and click on the picture file to upload and click "Open." A progress bar will appear as the file is uploaded. When the file is uploaded, a thumbnail (small version) of the picture file will be visible and the "Finished" message will appear.

4. Click the "Add Description" link and type a description of the picture into the input box.

5. Click the "Save" button. The picture file is now uploaded and ready to be shared with other people. Click on the picture to open the picture in a browser and then copy the URL from the address bar. Share this URL with others to share the picture file.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to set your preferences in Flickr so that the people you share your Flickr photos with are able to access your photos on the site.

References

• Microsoft: File Sharing Essentials for Windows 7
• Microsoft: Sharing Files with HomeGroup in Windows 7 (Video)