Enable file and print sharing in Windows XP

File and Printer sharing is used for sharing printers and files. In addition, a special share, called the admin$ share is used to remotely manage and install software on Windows XP systems. By default file sharing is blocked in the firewall. What do you need to do to get this working under Windows XP?


1. Open the control panel. You will find this by clicking on start, then settings, and then control panel. Click on the icon that says “Network and Internet Connections”



2. Once you are in there. Click on the icon that says “Network Connections”


3. Now you will find your network cards listed here. You will need to right click on the card you want to enable file sharing. Select the properties menu


4. Go to the advanced tab, and click on settings



5. Go to the exceptions menu and make sure file and printer sharing is checked.



6. Click OK. Stay in the “Network Connections” Folder click on the tools menu, and select “Folder Options…”


7. Go to the view tab. Scroll down and make sure “Use simple file sharing” is unchecked.


8. Click OK. Sharing is now on



One other important note. Make sure you have set a password, or you will always get an access denied message when trying to connect to a remote machine.
To share a printer

1. Go to the printers folder

2.Select the printer you want to share.

3.Right click and select "sharing".
4.Click the "Sharing" tab and select"Share this printer". In the share name window, give it any name you like that users can easily find on the network.

And thats it,I hope that this tutorial was helpful.Please visit me on the web at AA1  Consulting