Public Folder Sharing In Windows Vista

One of the ways that you can make files available to other users is through the Public folder. By placing a file in the Public folder, it becomes accessible to everyone who logs onto your computer and depending on how you configure Public folder sharing, can be accessible to others on your network.

One of the advantages to using the Public folder is that it can simplify file sharing on your network. It eliminates the need for you to have to share individual folders. For example, if you have a folder called MyFolder on your computer that you want to share with users, all you have to do is copy or move it into the Public folder.

Before you can share any folders and files on your PC running Windows Vista, you must enable File and Printer Sharing. To enable it:

Open the Network and Sharing Center.
Under the Sharing and Discovery section, click the down arrow beside File Sharing.
Select the option labeled Turn on file sharing.
Click Apply.

Once File and Printer Sharing is enabled, you also need to enabled Public Folder Sharing. To enable it:

Open the Network and Sharing Center.
Under the Sharing and Discovery section, click the down arrow beside Public folder sharing.
Turn on sharing so anyone with network access can open files.
Turn on sharing so anyone with network access can open, change and create files.
Click Apply.

You can add a level of security to your Public folder by enabling password-protected sharing. By doing so, only those network users who have a user account and password on your computer will be able to access the Public folder.

To enable password-protect sharing in Windows Vista:

Open the Network and Sharing Center.
Under the Sharing and Discovery section, click the down arrow beside Password protected sharing.
Click the option labeled Turn on password protected sharing.
Click Apply.