[pascalbrown]

I have a wifi network set up here at home, and there are up to 10 computers connected at any one time (it's a big house in france!). What I want to be able to do is share some folders on my PC so that only certain users with a preset (by me) password can access. How do I do this? I can't seem to find a way to set a password in such a way that network users can see the folder but then either access it or not (depending on if they have the password).

If someone could help me out I would really appreciate it. I've never had to use passwords on shared folders before because I've always been in a small secure network but it is different here.

I should add that I am running Vista 32bit and so are the majority of other computers. Some are using XP Pro SP2 or SP3.

Many Thanks.

[redduc900]

In Vista open Windows Help and Support, then type file sharing into the Search Help field.

[pascalbrown]

Thanks for the swift response, but I did that, and windows told me this;

Can I protect a shared folder with a password?

No, Windows does not allow you to set passwords that limit access to shared folders. However, you can limit network access to the Public folder by turning password-protected sharing on or off. This allows only people with a user account and password for your computer to access the Public folder over the network.

You can limit access to other folders by choosing to share only with specific people, granting them sharing permissions. Permissions can be granted to an individual or to a group of users on the same network, allowing them to access your shared folders. You can also set the level of access, allowing people to just open shared files, or also to change, create, or delete them.

For more information, see Share files with someone.


Windows says no. I think there must be a way and I thought that someone on here might help.

[FireMogle]

Right click a folder -> properties
Goto Sharing tab, click advanced sharing
check share this folder

Goto permissions
set what permissions you want what users to have.

You should have an account for each person you want to be able to access the folder.

[pascalbrown]

So I need to set up an account for every different person that I want to give access to? This means I will have around 5/6 user accounts on vista just to do this???

I could just set up an ftp server and have people ftp in to my computer!!! This seems like such a simple task without a simple solution.

[FireMogle]

The thing is if you want to be able to set permissions and/or allow disallow people at certain times. If you want everyone to have the same things I think you can just give them one account and pw that they could share.

[pascalbrown]

Thanks for the info firemogle. This seems like such an ugly solution. I'm going to try and find a smaller footprint method... I'll report back if I find anything.

[coin]

If people have to check with your computer if they are allowed access to a resource then they have to provide some form of credentials(logon) and your computer has to have a way to check them. Seems fairly simple to me. If you are not running a domain then these logons have to be stored and configured locally.
If you want simpler then create one logon for all to use.