Sharing Directories

In Windows 95/98, you have the ability to "share" a directory on your hard drive so it will be available for other people to access. You can move or copy files into this directory so that your co-workers (or family members!) can access your files.

This page explains how to "share" a directory so that others can access it. The next page explains how others can connect to your directory, and how you can connect to your co-worker's shared directories.

How to Share a Directory:

Run Windows Explorer. To do this, click on the Start button, move the mouse up to "Programs" and then over and down to "Windows Explorer". Click on "Windows Explorer".

When you share a directory, all subdirectories underneath are also shared. Shared directories are displayed with a  symbol.

In the example to the right, I've created a directory under my "document" directory called "shared". Then, I created two other directories under this called "letters" and "memos". Since I've password-protected my "shared" directory, only those people I give my password to will be able to access "shared", "letters", and "memos".

To share a directory:

1. Right-click on the directory you want to share. A short cut menu will pop up. Click on "Sharing...".
2. In the Shared Properties dialog box (see the example to the right), click on "Shared As:". Enter a Share Name and a Comment. Select the type of access you want to give and type in a password.
3. Click OK. The shared directory will now have a symbol.

To change the password, follow the same steps as above, but type in a different password.

To stop sharing a directory, click on "Not Shared" in the Shared Properties dialog box.

You can also use "My Computer" to share files if you are more comfortable with that program. The procedure is the same. You right-click on the folder you want to share and the short cut menu will pop up.

Accessing Shared Files on Someone Else's Computer:

There are two ways you can access shared files; through Windows Explorer or Network Neighborhood.

Network Neighborhood:

1. Double-click the Network Neighborhood icon on your Windows 95/98 desktop.
2. Double-click on the computer you want to access. If the computer you want to access is not in the same workgroup as yours, double-click "Entire Network", then double-click the other workgroup. Double-click on the computer you want to access.
3. If the directory was password-protected, you have to ask the person who shared this directory what the password is. Enter the password in the "Password" box.
4. You can now open or copy the shared files.

Windows Explorer:

1. Click on the Start button, move the mouse up to "Programs" and then over and down to "Windows Explorer". Click on "Windows Explorer".
2. Scroll down the left-hand windows until you see "Network Neighborhood". Double-click "Network Neighborhood" to open it up and see the other computers. If the computer you want to access is not in the same workgroup as yours, double-click "Entire Network", then double-click the other workgroup. Double-click on the computer you want to access. (You can also click the "+" to expand folders.)
3. If the directory was password-protected, you have to ask the person who shared this directory what the password is. Enter the password in the "Password" box.
4. You can now open or copy the shared files.

Mapping a Network Drive:

You can permanently map someone else's shared folder to a drive letter. To do this, right-click on the folder and select "Map Network Drive" from the short cut menu. Select a drive letter and click OK.

Now, when you go into "My Computer" or "Windows Explorer", you'll see another drive letter that points to someone's shared directory. The example to the right shows what you might see in "My Computer".

Sharing Printers

You can also share your printer so that others can use it.

How to Share a Printer:

1. Open your Printers folder by clicking the Start button, moving up to "Settings" and then clicking on "Printers".
2. Right-click on your printer. A short cut menu will pop up. Click on "Sharing..."
3. Click on "Shared As". Type in a Share Name and a Comment. We have found that it's better to use a Share Name that doesn't have any spaces in it. For example, if you have more than one Canon printer in your office, you could use "CANON_02", or "OFFICE_PRINTER".
4. Click OK.

Connecting to a Shared Printer:

If you want to connect to someone else's printer, it may not be necessary to install the print drivers first.

1. Open your Printers folder by clicking the Start button, moving up to "Settings" and then clicking on "Printers".
2. Double-click the "Add Printer" icon.
3. Click "Next".
4. Select "Network Printer" and click "Next".
5. Click the "Browse" button.
6. Double-click the computer who has the printer you want to connect to. Click on the printer. If you don't see any printers listed under this computer, then that person hasn't shared their printer yet.
7. Click "OK" and then click "Next".
8. Type in a name for the printer such as "HP DeskJet". If you have more than one HP DeskJet for example, you might type "HP DeskJet - Home Office".
9. Click "Next". If you don't want to print a test page, click "No".
10. Click "Finish".

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