How to Network Windows 7, Vista, and XP Computers
1 Make Sure Using NTFS on Your Hard Drives
Your older PCs might be using a less-secure file system: FAT32. Thus you should
make sure you're using NTFS (New Technology File System).
2. Ensure that File and Printer Sharing Is Enabled
Although Windows automatically installs and enables the protocol for file and
printer sharing, it can be accidentally disabled. Thus you should double-check
it, especially if you're currently having sharing problems.
To get to the Properties dialog of a network connection in XP, click Start >
Connect to> Show all connections. Then right-click the network connection you're
using and select Properties.
Here's how to get there in Vista: open the Network and Sharing Center and click
the Manage network connections link on the left pane. Then right-click the
network connection and select Properties.
In Windows 7, open the Network and Sharing Center, click the desired connection
name link in the active networks area. On the connection status windows, click
the Properties button.
3. Disable the Simple or Wizard File-Sharing Interface
Windows XP Professional and all editions of Vista and Windows 7 have advanced
sharing settings. When you use the advanced method, you can better control
sharing using Permissions.
You'll be using a similar approach among your computers, regardless of their
Windows version.
Here's how to disable the simple or wizard-based sharing interface:
- Open Computer or My Computer.
- Click Tools and select Folder Options.
- If you don't see the file menu in Vista or Windows 7, press the Alt key.
- Click the View tab.
- Scroll down and uncheck Use Sharing Wizard (in Vista or Windows 7) or
Use Simple File Sharing (in XP).
- Click OK to save the changes.
4. Verify that Everyone Is on the Same Workgroup
On home and small business networks, computers must be assigned to a Workgroup.
You should have all the computers that you want to share with each other set to
the same group.
Because some Windows versions have different default workgroup names, you should
decide on a particular name and verify that each computer is set to the same.
To find the current Workgroup of a Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 machine,
right-click the My Computer or Computer shortcut from the desktop or start menu
and select Properties. You'll see the computer name, domain, and workgroup
setting on the System window.
While you're at it, you can also verify that you have descriptive computer
names, so you can tell which PC is which when you browse the network.
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