Password protecting shared folders 2

[attrofy]

Is there a way to password protect shared folders (similar to 98)? If not, is there a way to assign user permissions ot a shared folder (similar to NT4)?

I have looked through the help files, and I must be missing something. I have a few PC's running XP on the network that I want to be able to share only certain documents or folders with only limited (selected)users. Is it something in the "Users" settings I am missing??

TIA for your help,

Russell

 

[vgrice]

If you are not in a domain, you need to create user accounts for each user you want to grant access to. If you are on a domain it works just as in NT4.0 Vince Grice
vgrice@hotmail.com
MCSE Win2K, NT; MCSA; MCP+I

I not only use all the brains I have, but all I can borrow.
- Woodrow Wilson

 

[attrofy]

Try this again, I posted earlier, and the site seemed to quit responding...

We are not in a domain, only a workgroup.

So basically if Joe has files on his computer that Tom needs access to, Joe creates Tom as a user on his computer? How does that share the files across the network???? I must still be missing something...sorry.

Thanks again,
Russell

 

[wolluf]

You still have to set up the share on the folders concerned. You should be aware that XP has 2 modes of sharing - simplified (the default), which is more like 98 sharing than NT/2k and non-simplified which is basically the same as NT/2k. Tools/folder options/view - last option - from explorer is where you change this setting.

 

[attrofy]

Yep...thats what I needed. Gold star for you...well purple anyway.

Thanks very much. If I have any questions, I'll be back.

Russell

 

[attrofy]

Alright, I am not doing something properly. It appears that I can only share the file with a user on my computer. I am unable to change the "locations" setting to any place other than my PC. How can I browse the network for a location (or user), or else set a more generic password (similar to 98)??

DO you know of a link that goes into more detail?
Thanks again.
Russell

 

[imatthec]

The user will need to be set up on the machine orginating the share with the EXACT username and password that he logs into his/her local machine with.

 

[wolluf]

attrofy - have you gone with simplified or non-simplified? If non-simplified, imatthec's comment applies, plus when setting up the share you can restrict it to just the user you want in permissions (ie, the one you set up).

 

[attrofy]

So in essence, I am not sharing with a user, but rather with a client on the network???

I have tried both simplified, and non-simplified. I see what you are saying about limiting the share to just one user, but then does that mean for everyone (read every PC) that wants to share that folder, there has to be a seperate user on the host PC? And the shared users must be setup with the same username and password that log onto their own PC with - and will only be able to gain access from their own PC (as opposed to any PC on the network (or unless they log onto any of the other PC's with their own usernames))?

Is this pretty accurate??

Thanks again for the help.

 

[wolluf]

'So in essence, I am not sharing with a user, but rather with a client on the network???' - that's what you effectively achive by setting up a local user account with same credentials as 'network client' you want to share the access.

With non-simplified sharing, yes you will need a separate user account on machine providing shared resources for each 'network client' logon (And only users logged on with one of these accounts can access the share).

Or alternatively, if all your network clients are running NT/2k/XP, you could set up ONE user account which has permissions to the share & give them all details of this account (user name/paasword). When they try to access the share, they will be prompted to supply a username & password (which can be saved against that share on their machine for future accesses) - the one you've given them.
Hope this helps (its easier on a domain!).

 

[attrofy]

Hope this helps (its easier on a domain!).

I am begining to see this. Just as I am begining to find that static IPs would resolve a lot of networking issues, and that Win98 really isn't a networking OS - it just has the ability to share....

Maybe some changes in store...

Or alternatively, if all your network clients are running NT/2k/XP, you could set up ONE user account which has permissions to the share & give them all details of this account (user name/paasword).

Would this be a one time prompt (presumably at first log onto the network) then not prompt for future authorization - it would just be given?? Is this correct?

Thanks again for the help.

 

[wolluf]

The prompt should be one-time if you opt to tick the 'save password' box. In XP you can also manage this password from the users & passwords control panel (ie, you can specify the share and supply user name & password to access it with & save these details. This should be what ticking the 'save password' box does too - though I know some people lose these passwords stored that way when they log off).

 

[mbattershell]

In reading throught the replies I did not see you mention which version of XP you are running, Home Or Pro. If it is Home then you are out of luck with password protecting a shared folder over the network. Only Pro has that ability.
I learned that one the hard way. If password protecting is a must then you need to buy the XP Pro Upgrade version, $185, on Buy.com. According to MS the Home version is upgradeable to Pro, for a small Price.

Good Luck!

 

[attrofy]

No it is pro, I learned early enough on how bad home could be...