File and printer sharing in windows vista

File and Printer Sharing in Windows Vista
Published: November 08, 2006 | Updated: May 14, 2007
On This Page
Abstract
Differences in File and Printer Sharing in Windows Vista
Configuring File and Printer Sharing Behavior in Windows Vista
Sharing a Folder or Printer in Windows Vista
Accessing a Shared Folder or Printer with Windows Vista
Common Questions with Windows Vista File and PrinterSharing
For More Information
For information about file and printer sharing in Windows 7, see Networking home computers running different versions of Windows and File and printer sharing: frequently asked questions.

Abstract
Microsoft® Windows Vista™ has made some important changes to the way that file and printer sharing works. This article describes the changes and provides step-by-stepinstructions for sharing files and printers and connecting to shared files and printers from a computer running Windows Vista for a small-office or home office network that does not use the Active Directory® domain service.
This article is designed for IT professionals and experienced users that are familiar with file and printer sharing in Windows. If you are new to file and printer sharing, seethe following Windows Vista help topics:
* File sharing essentials
* Share files with someone
* Sharing files with the Public folder
* Share a printer
Top of page
Differences in File and Printer Sharing in Windows Vista
The differences in file and printer sharing in Windows Vista are the following:
* The default workgroup name in Windows Vista has been changed to WORKGROUP.In Windows® XP Home Edition, the default workgroup name is MSHOME. If you upgrade a computer running Windows XP Home Edition to Windows Vista, it will keep its existing workgroup name. However, new computers with Windows Vista can have a different workgroup name than the other computers on your network. With different workgroups, it takes more time and effort to view all of the computers on thenetwork.
* Windows Vista uses the Public folder, rather than the Shared Documents folder in Windows XP, to simplify file sharing. With Public folder sharing enabled, the public folders and all of the folders within the Public folder are automatically shared with the name Public. You do not have to configure file sharing on separate folders. You only have to either move or copy the file or folderyou want to share on the network to the Public folder.
* Windows Vista by default does not allow simple file sharing. Access to shared folders, including the public folder (if shared), requires a user name and password. Simple file sharing is enabled by default in Windows XP Home Edition.
Top of page
Configuring File and Printer Sharing Behavior in Windows Vista
Configuring file andprinter sharing behavior in Windows Vista consists of the following:
* Setting the workgroup name to be the same as the other computers
* Setting the network location type
* Enabling file and printer sharing options
Setting the Workgroup Name
For easier and faster discovery of computers on your home network, it is highly recommended that all computers on a home network be configured forthe same workgroup name. If computers are in multiple workgroups, it can take additional time and effort to discover all of the computers on the network.
To find out the existing workgroup name for a computer running Windows XP, do the following:
1. Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
2. In the System Properties dialog box, click the Computer Name tab and notethe name of the workgroup.
Figure 1 shows an example.

Figure 1: The workgroup name in Windows XP
To find out the existing workgroup name for a computer running Windows Vista, click Start, right-click Computer, and then click Properties.
In the System window, the workgroup name is listed in the Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings section. Figure 2 shows an example of the System...