Forum FAQ: How to make Windows 7 work with older Windows versions for networking and file sharing Question: How to make Windows 7 work with older Windows versions for networking and file sharing? Answer: The following steps work well but this process will make the network less secure as a password is not required and everyone is allowed to access. 1. Firstly, know what the Computer name is and what Workgroup it belongs to. The Workgroup name needs to be the same on all PCs networked. No matter what the Operating system is on each system. This is already setup, even if only by default during the setup process. To verify the computer names and workgroup names, click the Start button, click Control Panel , click System , you will find the information in the "Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings " section. (See the category below). If the names need to be changed go to Change settings in that category or Advanced System Settings in left pane. Then, under the Computer Name Tab , click Change…, in the open windows, type the Computer Name and Workgroup Name, click OK . (See the category below) Make the computer name meaningful to aid recognition. The computer should restart. 2. Secondly, adjust Windows 7 settings to allow for sharing with older OS on other networked systems. Navigate to Control Panel -> Network and Internet -> Network and Sharing Center -> Change Advanced Sharing Settings (side panel). Make sure Network Discovery , File and Printer Sharing , and Public Folder Sharing are all set to "on" and Password Protected Sharing is set to "off". (See the category below) Note: It is recommended to leave Media sharing set to "on" and select "Allow Windows to manage homegroup connections (recommended) " under HomeGroup connections section. 3. Thirdly, choose the folders to share on the network and adjust properties to do so. Method 1: Drag any folders to be shared to the Public folder. Method 2: To share a specific Windows 7 folder or additional drives on the system, right-click the folder, click Properties . Under Sharing Tab, click Advanced Sharing , tick the box Share this folder , click Apply , click OK , then click Close . Once the highest level folder is shared, every sub-folder will be shared too by default. Two little people will appear on the icons of the folders that are shared. (See the category below) 4. Fourthly, you have to follow these steps or the folders will not be shared despite previous steps followed! Since "Password Protected Sharing" is turned off, the security permissions have to be changed on the folder(s) to allow "everyone" to access. Right-click the shared folder, click Properties , under Security Tab, click Edit , click Add and type "Everyone " (without the quotations) into the box and click OK . Tick the boxes next to the permissions you want to allow (e.g. Read or Write, etc) then click Apply , click OK . Some messages may appear: "An error occurred while applying… " This is not unusual and can be ignored by clicking Continue . 5. Windows firewall is normally set to allow file and printer sharing. However, if you have a third-party firewall, make sure the "file and printer sharing" is enabled so that each machine can talk to the other(s). It is recommended to enable the Windows firewall if there is not any other firewall running. 6. To view or copy files, click the Start button> Network and the computers/folders/files should appear. Use two windows to drag files from one PC to another. Applies to: Windows 7 Starter Windows 7 Home Basic Windows 7 Home Premium Windows 7 Professional Windows 7 Ultimate FOR INTERNAL INFORMATION RECORD Related Bug number: [Optional] Source Thread: [Optional] Reference link: [Optional] Author : [Required: v-seazhu]

How to make Windows 7 work with older Windows versions for networking and file sharing

I've made a video tutorial to show the steps necessary to allow access to specific windows 7 folders and drives from computers running previous versions. Kim Tutorial on Drive Sharing