Share files folder devices printers in peer to peer workgroup network

Windows XP uses a method of sharing files called Simple File Sharing. If you use Windows XP Home Edition, you will always use Simple File Sharing, but if you Have Windows XP Professional, you have the option to turn it off and use passwords to further restrict access to shared files and folders.

Enable Windows XP Simple File Sharing

Since Windows XP Home Edition always uses Simple File Sharing, and Windows XP Professional Edition uses it by default, we will stick with it in all our descriptions. If for some reason you are using Windows XP Professional Edition and it is turned off, you may enable it by going to the Tools menu in Windows Explorer and selecting Folder Options.

Select the View tab and scroll to the bottom of the options. Check the box next to Use Simple File Sharing Recommended).

Trick :- how can we use special file sharing permission in workgroup ?
Ans. Just uncheck these options

To share files in Windows XP with Simple File Sharing enabled, follow these steps:

Right-click the folder you wish to share and select Sharing And Security

Click "If you understand the security risks but want to share files without running the wizard, click here."
This will activate file and printer sharing on this computer.

You might choose to run the Network Setup Wizard, but most steps of this wizard have been accomplished, such as enabling file sharing are already done, and it is too easy to have it change something for the worse. The Network Setup Wizard can establish configurations that are not compatible with file sharing .

After clicking the preceding message, you will see the following dialog box: Choose Just Enable File Sharing.

This folder is now set to share files with "read only" security. Users can read them but not change them. If you wish to allow users to change files, click the check box next to Allow Network Users To Change My Files.

After clicking OK, you will see a "sharing hand" under the folder

Network users will see the following when they browse to your computer in My Network Places

Printer Sharing

You should be familiar with network printer and local printer before you share printer.

• Local printer is the printer that is attached with system directly.
• Network printer is the printer that is attached with other system and we will use it via network.

Installing local printer

Attach physically and Start ==> Setting ==> printer and faxes

If you don't see any printer here its mean printer drive has not been installed And you have to install it manually to do this Click on add a printer

This will launch add printer wizard

Select Local printer attached to this computer

Select the port on which you have attached the printer

Select the manufacturer and model of your printer. if you have printer driver CD then use have disk options

give any name to your printer for example OfficePrinter, LabPrinter, any thing that is close to your specification

If you want to print test page then choose Yes otherwise select No

Click on Finish to complete the Wizard

Before sharing on network its best practice to test the printer. Do some printing.

Share Your Printer

Sharing a printer is very similar to sharing your folder.

Right-click the printer you wish to share and select Sharing.

You will see the following dialog box. Click on If you understand the security risks.................

Select Share This Printer. Provide a name for the shared printer and Click OK

sharing hand will appear under your printer

Installing Network printer

Network printer will be installed on all other computer. To install a network printer
Start ==> Setting ==> printer and faxes ==> Add a printer ==> Select Network printer

If you now the exact path of printer then type it otherwise Select Browse for a printer

Select the printer

If you want to print test page then choose Yes otherwise select No

Click on Finish to complete the Wizard