How to share directories between Windows Vista and XP

Since I encountered this problem during my network setup between my laptop (vista) and desktop (XP) at my college (UCSI) I guessed more people will have the
same problem.
For those who want to know this is how I done it:

NOTE: the pictures used for this tutorial are made on a Dutch Windows version, however in the english version everything is in the same place!



With Windows Vista, filesharing though a local network should be better if we believe the people of Microsoft. Yet it is not!

In Windows XP you can share your directories with ease by "rightclicking" on the directory and choose the option "Share":



Then in the pop up window you check "Share this folder":



After a few seconds the directory will be accesable for anyone within the network and same Workgroup.

In Windows Vista you can share files in 2 diffrent ways. The most easy one is to used the prefabricated sharing folders, which you will find under "computer-->c:-->Users-->your username-->public"



However this means you must copy or move every single file into those directories. Ofcourse you want to be able to share a entire directory like in Windows XP.

Now here Vista is getting tricky. first a few steps before we go to the actual settings in Vista itself:

- Make sure every computer as a unique name in the network, if not go to "Start-->configuration-->System" and make sure the name is unique. For this tutorial I will use JOHN (XP) and MARY (VISTA) as computernames (red)




- Also in this same window you can see the "Workgroup" the computer belongs to. Make sure all computers belong to the same "Workgroup" for example "HOME" (red)

When you have to make changes (Blue) be ready to reboot your system. after reboot (or not) you can go to the next step, the actual sharing of directories other then the prefabricted directories of Vista.

Step 1) go to Start-->configurations--> User accounts-->Control Another Acount (not sure if this is called in the english version) -->create a new acount




Step 2) create a new user on the Vista computer using the computername you want to share the directory with. (in this case JOHN). Also choose between Standard user (blue, limited authority) and Administrator (yellow, full authority)


Step 3) Select the directory you want to share
Step 4) rightclick and choose "Share" (sounds like XP again )


Step 5) Now choose the newly made username from the list and click on add and then share.



Step 6) click on "Share" and wait until Vista is done thinking.

Now the directory from MARY should be visible and accesable from the computer JOHN.

Hail to microsoft to make filesharing through local network so easy!

Hehehehe..now I can access and share directories easy~

wow...u r soo pro!

Thanks! I may need this tutorial, its useful!