Networking Windows 7

[nigelf1234]

Hi
I have a small peer to peer Network at the office (4 computers), using a mix of Windows XP and Windows 7. I am gradually replacing the XP machines with Windows 7, but I have a problem with the networking. The network is only for file sharing, there are no applications that run via the network. The XP machines share at root level, but I can only get the Windows 7 machines to share at directory level. Any ideas please? I am using Windows XP Professional with SP3 and Windows 7 Ultimate with SP1.

[pinkyboyid]

When you say 'share at root level' are you referring to sharing a Hard Drive from the top level i.e. C:\ , where you can then access any file from the on that hard disk C: over the network?

[nigelf1234]

Yes that's correct. That's what I want to do & can do it in Windows XP fine.

[TheChair]

You can. You need to select "Advanced sharing".
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-share-an-entire-hard-disk-on-a-windows-7-ho.html

[nigelf1234]

Hi that didn't work. I followed the instructions, but when I go to another machine & try & connect via explorer, it says V:/ is not accessible: access denied. Any ideas? I used everyone can read & write to drive, rather than individual PC's.

[pinkyboyid]

Try putting all your computers into the same Workgroup name, if not already done! If you don't this can potentially affect drive share security permissions.

A Useful article on this subject can be accessed at the link below. It also discusses the issue of sharing the root of a Drive.

There are other methods that can be used to setup shares and associated network access via a Command Prompt but before attempting that method you should be able to achieve the result as described in the link:-

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/share-files-with-someone#1TC=windows-7

Hope that helps.