File and Printer Sharing is a Windows feature wherein all the
computers in your network would be able to send communications to a
computer or send print jobs to a printer. All your computers should be
part of the main network and the same
Workgroup for
File and Printer Sharing to work properly.
NOTE: To view the network group your computers currently belong to, check the Workgroup by opening My Computer (XP) or Computer (Vista & Win 7) on the Start menu and clicking on Properties.
What you can do with this feature:
- File Sharing – You can access a shared folder on
computers that are joined to a Workgroup. This allows easy sharing of
files and folders across a local network.
- Printer Sharing – Setting this up will require you to
ensure that your regular printer is connected directly to a computer
that is connected on the network; or if you have a network printer, it
should be connected to a networking device such as a hub, switch or
router.
NOTE: The information on this article is provided as
reference. For proper File and Printer Sharing configuration
instructions, contact Microsoft or refer to the
Microsoft support site.
Sharing a printer in Windows 7
Step 1:
Go to the Start menu and select Devices and Printers.
Step 2:
Locate and double-click on the icon of the printer you would like to share.
Step 3:
Double-click Customize your printer.
Step 4:
On the next window that appears, perform the following:
Step 1:
Go to the Sharing tab.
Step 2:
Check the box next to the Share this printer option.
Step 3:
Enter a Share name for your printer.
Step 4:
Click OK at the bottom to confirm your settings.
You should now be able to browse and add your printer on the other computers within your network.
Sharing a printer in Windows Vista
Step 1:
Go to the Start menu and select Control Panel.
Step 2:
In the Control Panel window, select Printer under the Hardware and Sound category.
Step 3:
Locate and right-click on the icon of the printer that you would like to share then select Open from the menu.
Step 4:
In the window that appears, click Printer and select Sharing...
Step 5:
On the next window, perform the following:
Step 1:
Go to the Sharing tab.
Step 2:
Check the box next to the Share this printer option.
Step 3:
Enter a Share name: for your printer.
Step 4:
Click OK at the bottom to confirm your settings.
You should now be able to browse and add your printer on the other computers within your network.
Sharing a printer in Windows XP
Step 1:
Go to the Start menu, and select Printers and Faxes.
Step 2:
In the Printer and Faxes window, locate and double-click the icon of the printer you would like to share.
Step 3:
A new window will then appear. Click Printer and select Sharing…
Step 4:
On the next window, perform the following:
Step 1:
Go to the Sharing tab.
Step 2:
Select the Share this printer option.
Step 3:
Enter a Share name: for your printer.
Step 4:
Click OK to confirm your settings.
You should now be able to browse and add your printer on the other computers within your network.
Sharing files or folders in Windows 7
Step 1:
Right-click any folder you would like to share and select Properties from the menu.
Step 2:
On the next window, go to the Sharing tab and click on the Share… button.
Step 3:
On the Choose people to share with window, perform the following:
Step 1:
Click on the drop-down arrow and select a user or group that you would like to share your folder with.
Step 2:
Click on the Add button to add the user.
Step 3:
Click Share at the bottom.
Step 4:
Click Done.
Your folder and files should now be accessible to the users or groups you specified.
Sharing files or folders in Windows Vista
Step 1:
Right-click a folder you would like to share, and select Share… from the menu.
Step 2:
On the next screen, perform the following:
Step 1:
Click on the drop-down arrow and select a user or group that you would like to share your folder with.
Step 2:
Click on the Add button to add the user.
Step 3:
Click Share at the bottom.
Step 3:
Click Done to confirm your settings.
Your folder and files should now be accessible to the users or groups you specified.
Sharing files or folders in Windows XP
Step 1:
Right-click on a folder you would like to share, and select Sharing and Security… from the menu.
Step 2:
In the next window, perform the following:
Step 1:
Go to the Sharing tab.
Step 2:
Select Share this folder.
Step 3:
Enter a Share name: for your folder.
Step 4:
Click OK at the bottom to confirm your settings.
You should now be able browse and access your shared folder from other computers within your network.
Troubleshooting Tips:
- Before you proceed with enabling File and Printer sharing, make
sure that your printer is able to print when directly connected to a
computer. This is to ensure that the printer is working properly.
- If you are having problems when the printer is directly
connected to your router, there is a possibility that your printer has a
Static IP address and may be in conflict. It is recommended to set the
printer to DHCP so the router may assign a dynamic IP address for your
printer. You may refer to your printer’s manual or contact your
printer’s technical support for assistance.
All Windows OS have a firewall that is enabled by default. For example, a Windows XP computer has the
Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) which
may interfere when you are trying to configure File and Printer
sharing. For computers on the network that need to participate in file
sharing, it is best to lower the level of firewall security or
temporarily disable it.
