You recently replied to a user asking about network file sharing, saying, ‘Sharing files in workgroup mode requires that each computer have a local account for each user who will connect.’ I didn’t set up local accounts for any of the three of us who sha
In a recent column, you replied to a user asking about network file sharing, writing, “Sharing files in workgroup mode requires that each computer have a local account for each user who will connect.” I didn’t set up local accounts for any of the three of us who share files using “My Network Places.” I share individual folders, and it works well. The network is three Windows XP Home machines, set up as part of the same workgroup. I did have to turn off Windows Firewall, but I’m behind a router so I am not concerned.
If you didn’t specifically set up any logon accounts on your systems, then you are probably all using the same account by default. XP Home usually calls the default administrator account “Owner.” You should be able to see your effective user name in the dialog when you hit Ctrl-Alt-Del. You may find they match on all three computers. XP Home and Professional do have different file and folder sharing defaults, capabilities and configuration wizards. Your systems might simply be wide open to the world behind your router. You can configure the Windows Firewall to allow file and print sharing, while still blocking other things on XP Home by re-running the network setup wizard by clicking the link in the Network Properties dialog.
Blass is a network architect at Change@Work. He can be reached at dr.internet@changeatwork.com.
