Netowrking on a LAN with XP

[Guest]

I am used to using networking with windows 98, where I could set passwords
for shared folders with seperate levels of access.

Recently, I have tried looking into setting up a workgroup on the local area
network with Windows XP Home Edition SP2 and it seems to have very little
capabiliy in this matter. I can tell it to share and whether or not others
can change files, but I cannot set passwords. What I also miss is the
netwatcher which allowed me to see who had had access to what files. IT
seems XP doesn't have this, either. Are there any equivelants to this
program, or does microsoft have a version for xp?

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I am used to using networking with windows 98, where I could set passwords
for shared folders with seperate levels of access.

Recently, I have tried looking into setting up a workgroup on the local area
network with Windows XP Home Edition SP2 and it seems to have very little
capabiliy in this matter. I can tell it to share and whether or not others
can change files, but I cannot set passwords. What I also miss is the
netwatcher which allowed me to see who had had access to what files. IT
seems XP doesn't have this, either. Are there any equivelants to this
program, or does microsoft have a version for xp?

You're right about the lack of access control in XP Home Edition. In
an effort to hide the complexities of NTFS file permissions from home
users, Microsoft invented "simple file sharing", which grants network
access to all users. In my opinion, they went too far and didn't
provide enough control. XP Professional has very powerful access
control based on user accounts.

For the XP equivalent of NetWatcher:

1. Right click My Computer.
2. Click Manage.
3. Click Shared Folders.
4. Click Sessions and/or Open Files.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

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