Simple File Sharing between Windows XP and Windows 7 Guide

Here are some notes on how to allow different or same Windows Operating System to communicate with one another to share files or edit files from different computers. This way saves the hassle from using a USB Stick (Memory Flash Drive) to transfer huge files nor requiring to pull out the hard disk from a PC case to be transferred to the another PC case to connect via SATA cable.

Just to note, this Windows Simple File Sharing work for any Windows Operating System. For Windows XP and earlier, make sure the folder names are maximum 8 characters long since they aren’t able to view longer filenames.

Make sure both computers are within the same WORKGROUP

To setup for Windows 7
1. Open “Start Menu”
2. Right-click on “Computer” and click “Properties”.
3. Under “Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings”, click “Change Settings”.
4. Click “Change” and name your workgroup. (Example: WORKGROUP) in capital letters.
5. Restart computer.

To setup for Windows XP
1. Open “Start Menu”.
2. Right-click on “Computer” and click “Properties”.
3. Click the “Computer Name” Tab, and click “Change” button.
4. Set your workgroup name (Example: WORKGROUP) in capital letters.
5. Restart computer.

Test connection between each PC

1. Open “Start Menu”.
2. Type “cmd” in “Run” Textbox or “Search Programs and Files” textbox.
3. Once the command dos prompt opens, type “ipconfig /all”.
4. See the list of details displayed and find the IP for this computer.
5. Do the same for the other computer you are trying to connect.
6. Once you have obtain the other PC IP address, try to ping that address.
Example: The PC in your other room is 192.168.1.5, so type “ping 192.168.1.5” without the double quotes and if it says timeout session along that lines, it means the PC firewall is blocking your computer from accessing its Shared Folder. You can turned off both PC firewall, and disconnect your router from the Internet to test this. If it works, it means your firewall software is blocking it, therefore you will need to enable it to Share Folders. Set it so that it is for Home Network.
7. If both PC can ping each other PC, it means they can see each other therefore go to the Network Group and see everyone’s PC name. Double-click on it to view. Make sure your PC allows the other PC have permission to READ and/or EDIT files.

Setup ESET Firewall to allow Windows File Sharing between 2 PC

For those who use ESET Smart Security, it has a firewall feature that blocks from viewing other PC within the Local Area Network (LAN – at home). This can be easily solve by setting up the “Zone and Rule Setup”. Below are the step by step guide:

1. Right-click on ESET Smart Security Icon located in your Start Menu toolbar.
2. Click “Advanced Setup”.
3. Go to “Network” -> “Personal Firewall” -> “Rules and Zones”.
4. Click “Setup” button located in “Trusted Zone” and select “Allow Sharing”. Click OK.
5. Click “Setup” button located in “Zone and Rule Editor”, and click “Zones” Tab.
6. Click “New” to add a zone.
7. Fill in the name and description of the other PC within the LAN (Local Area Network).
(Example) Name: Sister’s Workstation. Description: IP 192.168.1.5
8. Click the “Add IPv4 address” and type in the LAN IP Address of the other PC.
To find out the other PC IP, go to that computer. Start Menu > Run > Type “CMD” to enter command dos prompt. Then type “ipconfig /all” without double quotes. Then find for the ip address. Example: 192.168.1.5 – With this IP address, fill into the textbox of the other PC which you would like to access the other PC on the local area network (Tick the one for Single Address). Then click OK all the way out. And try again.
9. Test out your connection by viewing the other PC ip using command dos prompt! Go to Start Menu > Run > Type in: “CMD” without double quotes. Then type: ping 192.168.1.5 (or the IP address of the other PC). If you there is connection. Go to Start Menu > Run > Type in the Ip address after the double back slash : “\\192.168.1.5” without double quotes. You will then see the Folders being shared by the other PC. Make sure the other PC has given the necessary authorization to allow other PC to view it or edit those folders.

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