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How to share folders without homegroups in

Windows 7
The homegroup function of Windows 7, while convenient, is by far not everybody's cup of
tea. It is neither compatible with older Windows versions or Linux, nor does it give access to
certain system-wide folders. Here's how you can share folders with the old, but trusty
Network Sharing Settings.
By Marvin Tobisch, Andreas Perband | 13 Mar 13
You typically need to go through several steps to make the conventional sharing feature work.
The homegroup func on of Windows 7, while convenient, is by far not everybody's cup of tea. It is neither compa ble with older
Windows versions or Linux, nor does it give access to certain system-wide folders. Here's how you can share folders with the old,
but trusty Network Sharing Se ngs.
With the introduc on of homegroups in Windows 7, se ng up a home network has become much easier. While this is a great and
comfortable feature for Windows 7 PCs, it unfortunately doesn't work with older versions of Windows or Linux at all, forcing users to
resort the the conven onal Network Sharing Se ngs. Ironically, these have become somewhat more complicated in return and tend
to impede users with one error message a er another as to why even simple le transfers aren't possible. No need to rack your brain
over these issues however - here's how you can properly enable the sharing feature in three steps and keep track of your shared
folders.
Note: Make sure that you are using a NAT-Router (applies to most any router) as a medium to access the internet if you wish to use
this method. Otherwise, you might release your les not only to your local network, but to the whole internet. Also, make sure to
check that all PCs in the network are using the same workgroup. This might also be of interest: How to create homegroups in

Windows 7 and 8
1. Sharing a folder in a network
Conven onally, you can most easily clear folders or drives for network use in Windows 7 with these steps:

1. 1. Right-click on the folder/drive that you wish the share and select Proper es.
2. 2. Select the tab Sharing and click on Advanced Sharing...
3. 3. Tick the box Share this folder and enter a a share name for it.
4. 4. Click on permissions, mark the group entry Everyone and congure the network permissions for this folder in the lower
eld according to your requirements. If you just want to release your les for copying, allowing Read is usually enough.
2. Se ng the right permissions
More o en than not, you will also have to congure the user entry Everybody with the desired rights before it can be used properly
for shared folders. To do so,

1. 1. Right-click on the folder/drive in ques on and select Proper es again.

2. 2. This me, switch to the tab Security and click on Edit..., followed by Add....
3. 3. In this window, enter Everybody into the empty eld at the bo om and click on OK.
4. 4. Take a quick look at the permissions for Everybody and make sure they are all set correctly. If everything is in order, close
all windows with OK.
3. Deac va ng password-protected sharing

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At this point, we're nearly done. Typically, if you take a look into your network drop-down menu in the le panel of the Computer
directory, you will see the names of all other systems connected to your network. Trying to access them is usually rather
straigh orward, but o en ends with a password conrma on prompt. To disable that,

1. 1. Summon your control panel and open the Network and Sharing Center.
2. 2. Click on Change advanced sharing se ngs.
3. 3. Look for your ac ve prole at the top, expand it (if it isn't already) and scroll down to the op on Password protected
sharing.

4. 4. Tick the op on Turn o password protected sharing and click on Save changes. Be advised that this will make all shared
folders readily accessible for anyone inside your home network.
Tip: To make double sure that your router (and by extension your folders) aren't vulnerable from the outside, pay your router
congura on menu a visit and close the ports 445, 139, 138 and 137 manually, if they happen to be open.
Also take a look at: Extend your Wi-Fi Network
Tracking shared folders and les
Now that you have set up some shared folders, you can easily monitor them with a built-in Windows tool. To open it, hold down the
Windows-key + R and type fsmgmt.msc into the prompt. This will open the Shared Folders window. Look on the le side for the
entry Shares and click on it to get a convenient list of all your shared folders. By default, this also includes all directories for the
administrator of the system (marked by a $ symbol, such as D$), so there's no need to be confused by that.
You can also get an overview of who is currently using your shared folders by clicking on the entry Open les to the le .
Unfortunately, this list will be deleted upon exi ng the sharing manager. To save the 'evidence', you can make a text backup of it by
opening the menu point Ac on and clicking on Export List.

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