Windows7 provides an easy way to share separate files or folders among people on your network or others. You can even share whole libraries in Windows7. This new operating system presents ‘Share with’ menu. This menu makes the whole thing of sharing graceful by offering an immediate service. On this menu, options will appear with respect to the type of file that is getting shared and network of computers like workgroup, domain or homegroup. Sharing of files on workgroup, homegroup and domain is different. However, ‘Share with’ menu remains common in all types.

Sharing of files on Homegroup

If you are working with homegroup, it’s very easy to share files by using ‘Share with’ menu. You have to carry out some simple steps in order to share documents on homegroup.

  1. To begin with, you will see ‘Share with’ menu just with right-click on file that is being shared. On clicking, list of options including ‘Share with’ will appear with dropdown list.
  2. In this dropdown list, following options are displayed.
  3. First option is ‘Nobody’. With this option you can stop sharing that particular file. In other words, you can keep it private.
  4. Second option is ‘Homegroup (Read)’ which allow you to share that particular file with all people from homegroup. However, recipients can only read this file; they can neither alter that file nor delete it.
  5. Next option is ‘Homegroup (Read/Write)’ which is reminiscent of first one with only one exception. In such sharing, recipients are permitted to do anything with that file. He can not only read file but also modify it or delete it.
  6. Last one is ‘Specific people’ which starts File sharing wizard that permits sharing of that file with specified people only.
  7. But what if this ‘Share with’ menu doesn’t appear? This happens on selection of file that is not in your personal folder. While sharing any item of Windows7 Public folders, one additional option ‘Advanced sharing settings’ along with above options is offered. By making use of this option, you can turn on Public folder sharing.

Sharing of files on Domain or Workgroup

When you are sharing files on workgroup or domain, process changes slightly. By following steps that are given below, you can share files on domain or workgroup.

  1. First step is same as that of homegroup. You will get ‘Share with’ menu with right-click on file to be shared. However, here you will see only one option ‘Specific people’ that opens File Sharing Wizard on clicking.
  2. As File Sharing Wizard starts you must perform following steps according to type of network in use.
  3. If you are working with domain you will see text box along with arrow. Click on this arrow and then ‘Find people’. Doing so, you will get ‘Select Users or Groups’ in which you have to type name of person to share with. After this click on ‘Check Names’ and ‘Ok’.
  4. In case of workgroup, when you click on arrow it will provide list of names. Select names of people with whom you want to share files and ‘Add’ them.
  5. Choose ‘Read’ or ‘Read/Write’ in ‘Permission Level’ column. As explained above, with Read you can allow receiver only to open file. Read/Write permits receivers all actions like read, modify and delete.
  6. After adding people, you must click on ‘Share’. It is necessary to provide administrator password or confirmation if it is asked.
  7. You will get confirmation on successful sharing.
  8. Next step will be to tell those people about accessing that file. You can send link for your file by e-mail or other programs.
  9. Finally, click ‘Done’ to finish process.

Accessing shared documents on Homegroup

  1. Go to Windows Explorer by clicking ‘Start’ and then respective user name.
  2. In window, on left you will see ‘Homegroup’, under which you have to select respective user account to access files.
  3. Finally, you can access library with double-click. After this, you must double-click on required file or item.

Sharing with Public Folders

Public folders like Public videos, Public Documents share each and every file or folder that is copied into it. Sharing is done among all people of homegroup. If Public folder sharing is turned on, everyone can access these folders. However, it is turned off by default. So, only user from local administrators can access them. To turn it on you must follow these steps.

  1. First go to ‘Control Panel’ and then ‘Network and Sharing Center’. In this click on ‘Change advanced sharing settings’ that is located on left.
  2. In ‘Public folder sharing’, select option in order to turn on/off the Public folders sharing.
  3. Lastly, click on ‘Save changes’ to fix these settings. Provide administrator password or confirmation if needed.
  4. In same manner you can turn on/off password-protected sharing. Password-protected sharing is all about sharing public folders which are protected with password by administrator.

Sharing using Advanced Sharing

Under this section, you can share information or data, which is not allowed to share directly like drives. By using Advanced Sharing it can be done. For this, you must follow procedure.

  1. At first, select ‘Share with’ by right-clicking on drive that is being shared. Then click on ‘Advanced Sharing’. You must enter administrator password if it is required.
  2. Next is to click ‘Share this folder’. In order to modify permissions, click on ‘Permissions’.
  3. Use options ‘Add’ or ‘Remove’ to select users for sharing.
  4. Finally, click ‘Ok’ if you are finished with permission and checking of users or group.

On the whole, with Windows7, sharing is just a cup of tea for everyone.