Share Program Files and Windows Folders

[tyrone]

Hi!

I upgraded my hardware and decided a fresh install of WinXP was best route
to go. This "new" computer is one of five on my small network. I shared Drive
C (the root) on this computer (as I have on the others in the network). When
I map this C:\ drive using Explorer on another network computer, everything
seems fine. I can access most folders from the remote computer, but access is
denied for the Program Files and Windows folders. On the Properties/Sharing
page for the PF folder (with root C sharing removed) is the following
statement:

"All the options on this tab are disabled because this folder is used by the
operating system."

The same statement appears on the Properties/Sharing page for the Windows
folder.

How do I share all of Drive C, including the Program Files and Windows
folders?

NOTE: OS is Windows XP Home. I searched MS support, but did not find
anything relevent. Also, there is no Permissions tab to change entries.

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Hi!

I upgraded my hardware and decided a fresh install of WinXP was best
route to go. This "new" computer is one of five on my small network.
I shared Drive C (the root) on this computer (as I have on the others
in the network). When I map this C:\ drive using Explorer on another
network computer, everything seems fine. I can access most folders
from the remote computer, but access is denied for the Program Files
and Windows folders. On the Properties/Sharing page for the PF folder
(with root C sharing removed) is the following statement:

"All the options on this tab are disabled because this folder is used
by the operating system."

The same statement appears on the Properties/Sharing page for the
Windows folder.

How do I share all of Drive C, including the Program Files and Windows
folders?

NOTE: OS is Windows XP Home. I searched MS support, but did not find
anything relevent. Also, there is no Permissions tab to change
entries.

AFAIK you can't do this in XP Home. However, why would you want to? You
can't share locally installed apps and you can't share an installation ofo
Windows. Don't share the root of the drive. Share specific folders
containing your data only.

 

[tyrone]

Hi! Lanwench,

Thanks for the post. As I said, I have four (4) other XP boxes on my small
NW. All folders (including Program Files and Windows) are accessible remotely
on the other boxes. So it is possible in XP Home, just not on the
"reinstalled" system. As far as why, older programs store their data in the
same folder as the program. I keep all systems updated by copying data files
from one system to another (think Quicken financial data, for example). Also,
when something goes wrong with one of the boxes, I can copy files from
another Windows folder to correct the problem. It's easier than using a USB
drive! Besides, what's the point of having a N/W if you can't share/transfer
files between the computers on the N/W?

Still looking for resolution of the problem. I suspect its a simple registry
edit.

 

[Nepatsfan]

Hi!

I upgraded my hardware and decided a fresh install of WinXP was best route
to go. This "new" computer is one of five on my small network. I shared
Drive
C (the root) on this computer (as I have on the others in the network).
When
I map this C:\ drive using Explorer on another network computer,
everything
seems fine. I can access most folders from the remote computer, but access
is
denied for the Program Files and Windows folders. On the
Properties/Sharing
page for the PF folder (with root C sharing removed) is the following
statement:

"All the options on this tab are disabled because this folder is used by
the
operating system."

The same statement appears on the Properties/Sharing page for the Windows
folder.

How do I share all of Drive C, including the Program Files and Windows
folders?

NOTE: OS is Windows XP Home. I searched MS support, but did not find
anything relevent. Also, there is no Permissions tab to change entries.

I usually don't provide people with the ammunition to screw up their
computer but in your case I'll make an exception.

Restart the computer and boot into Safe Mode with Networking. You'll now
have access to both the Sharing tab and the Security tab. On the Sharing
tab, you should be able to accomplish your goal by making the appropriate
selection on that page and clicking the Permissions button and assigning the
appropriate permissions to the Everyone group. Check the Security tab as
well for what permissions are assigned to the Everyone group.

Good luck

Nepatsfan

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Hi! Lanwench,

Thanks for the post. As I said, I have four (4) other XP boxes on my
small NW. All folders (including Program Files and Windows) are
accessible remotely on the other boxes. So it is possible in XP Home,
just not on the "reinstalled" system.

OK, I'll take your word for it. I don't use Home. I know that you can't
disable Simple File Sharing therein.

As far as why, older programs
store their data in the same folder as the program.

Have you checked to see if that can be changed? It usually can.

I keep all
systems updated by copying data files from one system to another
(think Quicken financial data, for example).

Well, I use Quicken and store my files on a network drive.. I can put the
files wherever I want. I'd suggest that in a workgroup that relies heavily
on file sharing you set up one of the boxes as an ersatz server. Note that
with Home you have a 5-connection limit.

Also, when something
goes wrong with one of the boxes, I can copy files from another
Windows folder to correct the problem.

Sure. Or you can expand the known good original files from the i386
directory on each PC. ;-)

It's easier than using a USB
drive! Besides, what's the point of having a N/W if you can't
share/transfer files between the computers on the N/W?

You can. I just don't do this - I work primarily with domains, but even in
the workgroups I support, I don't share anything besides a custom folder I
set up called DATA.

Still looking for resolution of the problem. I suspect its a simple
registry edit.

Maybe - good luck. I wish I had a better answer for you.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

OK, I'll take your word for it. I don't use Home. I know that you can't
disable Simple File Sharing therein.

It's most likely that those other WinXP Home computers have their hard
disks/partitions formatted with the totally unsecure FAT32 file system.
Hence, everything is fully available to be accessed via the network.




--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[tyrone]

Hi! Bruce,

Sorry! All boxes are NTFS partitioned.

 

[tyrone]

Hi! Nepatsfan,

Thanks for the reply. I followed your suggestion. Everything
proceeded as you indicated. Upon rebooting into Windows (note Safe Mode),
however, everthing reset. I am still locked out of the PF and Windows
folders. I thought I might have done something wrong, so I repeated
everything (twice!). I verified that the settings had been changed before
rebooting. Rebooting reset everything to the "default" settings!

Rant: The OS should ASSIST me in performing my tasks. I know I can
work around this problem (eg, don't install programs in the PF folder), but I
should not have to! Microsoft may not agree with how I want to set up
security. They took my money, however, so they should allow me to work
however recklessly or securely I desire.

 

[Nepatsfan]

Somewhere in the process you may have missed a step. Restarting the computer
in normal mode should not have reversed any of the changes you made in Safe
Mode. Done correctly, the folders you share should have the familiar hand
under their icon. If you take a look at the folder's Properties sheet, you
should see a check mark next to "Share this folder on the network" even
though that section is grayed out.

Keep in mind that you have to make modifications on both the Sharing tab and
the Security tab. Just providing network access through the Sharing tab is
not good enough. Since XP Home Edition uses the Guest account to
authenticate network access, you have to make sure a group that includes
this account has NTFS permissions to access the folder. That's why you have
to add the Everyone group. The Users group does not include the Guest
account. Note: You could add the Guests group if you prefer. I've always
been in the habit of adding the Everyone group.

Here's a step by step outline of how to provide access to the Program Files
folder. The same process can be used for your Windows folder.

Boot your computer into Safe Mode with Networking. Note: Booting into basic
Safe Mode isn't what you want. It has to be Safe Mode with Networking in
order to gain access to both the Sharing and Security tabs of the folder's
Properties sheet.
Log on with an account that is a Computer Administrator.
Open My Computer or Windows Explorer and open your C drive.
Right click on the Program Files folder and select Properties from the menu.
Click on the Sharing tab.
Click on "Share this folder" so it's selected.
Click on the Permissions button.
Assign the Everyone group the appropriate permissions. Note: Giving them
Change permissions is equivalent to checking off the "Allow network users to
change my files" option that you see in Normal Mode.
Note: If the Everyone group isn't listed, click the Add button. In the
Select User and Groups dialog, click on the Advanced button followed by the
Find Now button. Click on the Everyone group to select it and click OK.
Next, click on the Security tab.
Here again you want to assign the appropriate permission to the Everyone
group. If the group is not listed you have to click on the Add button. As
before, click on the Advanced button in the Select Users and Groups dialog
to expand it. Hit the Find Now button. In the box at the bottom of the
window click on the Everyone group to select it and click OK. Assign the
permissions you want and click OK.
Restart your computer and see if you have access from the other computers on
your network.

FWIW, I tested the above procedure on two installations of XP Home Edition
and was able to access both the Program Files folder and the Windows Folder
from other computers on my network. I don't know what else to tell you to
check if you can't get this to work on your system.

Nepatsfan

 

[Gordon]

Hi! Nepatsfan,

Thanks for the reply. I followed your suggestion. Everything
proceeded as you indicated. Upon rebooting into Windows (note Safe Mode),
however, everthing reset. I am still locked out of the PF and Windows
folders.

Why on earth would you NEED or WANT to access those folders from another
machine?

 

[tyrone]

Hi! Nepatsfan,

First, thanks for your help and patience. Second, your post and
orocedure are absolutely correct! As you suggested, I must have missed a step
(and repeated the mis-step). I paid more attention over the weekend and am
now able to access both the PF and Windows folders remotely. I am a "happy
camper" again (and retract my previous rant).

 

[tyrone]

Hi! Gordon,

Older programs store their data in the same folder as the program. I keep
all systems updated by copying data files from one system to another (think
Quicken financial data, for example). Also, when something goes wrong with
one of the boxes, I can copy files from another Windows folder to correct the
problem. It's easier than using a USB drive or pulling out the Windows
install CD and expanding a file! Besides, what's the point of having a N/W if
you can't share/transfer files between the computers on the N/W?

Finally, the OS should ASSIST me in performing my tasks. I know I can work
around this problem (eg, don't install programs in the PF folder), but I
should not have to! The OS should allow me to work however recklessly or
securely I desire, as long as I accept responsibility for my
decisions/actions.

 

[Nepatsfan]

You're welcome. Thanks for the update.

Nepatsfan

 

[Anteaus]

You might find a utility of mine: http://mylogon.net
a better alternative to peer sharing. You still need to allocate one machine
as the 'server' but this utility will allow you to setup a scheme where users
log-on to the server, as in a larger domain-based network. Plus, most updates
can be 'delivered' by way of the logon script, eliminating the need to share
the whole of C: on every computer.

At the risk of being called a 'preacher' I've been called-in to sort out too
many networks of the kind you describe after they've gone down the tubes.
Often no-one has any idea what data was actually being shared, so
reconstructing the setup after, for example, a HD failure is a nightmare I'd
rather avoid.

An XP Pro machine will serve up to ten desktops, or Home five. Home is
rather unsuitable as aserver though, as all users must share the same
password. (MyLogon is designed to avoid the well-known 'multiple
credentials' problem so you usually get your full five or ten) -or you could
use a Linux distro such as Debian for a server, if you want to keep costs
down. I use Debian servers here and find them extremely stable, albeit not as
easy to manage as Windows Server.

Also worth mentioning that those pesky file permissions can interfere wih
sharing of non-program folders too, particularly on Home. There is a tool,
SetACL, which can correct this kind of problem without entering Safe Mode.

http://setacl.sourceforge.net/