Re: Sharing 'Program Files' folder

From: Eric Cross (encross_at_eudoramail.com)
Date: 02/05/04 

Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2004 14:01:12 -0600

Steve, I know what you are saying but I think Simple File Sharing only
prevents the Program Files folder from ever being shared as well as the
Windows folder. I beleive what Patrick saying is that he is receiving an
error when trying to access shared Program Files folder. Maybe I'm wrong and
you or Patrick can clerify this for me.

_____________
Eric

"Steve Winograd [MVP]" <winograd@pobox.com> wrote in message
news:bgi320d1lori8g1v7hhca2b09gp3qivpl3@4ax.com...
> In article <0b6b01c3eb82$6db17c90$3501280a@phx.gbl>, "Patrick"
> <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> >I would like to be able to access the Program Files
> >folder on my XP desktop from my WIN2000 laptop, however,
> >I get the error: Program Files is not accessible. Access
> >is denied.
> >
> >All other folders and files can be accessed from the
> >laptop so is there a way around this issue?
> >
> >Thanks.
>
> I'm sorry, but that's how Windows XP works when it's installed on an
> NTFS disk partition using "Simple File Sharing". It doesn't allow
> sharing the Documents and Settings, Program Files, or Windows folders.
> I don't know why Microsoft designed it that way.
>
> You can share subfolders within those folders, e.g. you can share
> "C:\Program Files\Outlook Express" and access that folder from another
> computer on the network.
>
> If you have Windows XP Professional, you can permanently disable
> Simple File Sharing, which removes those sharing restrictions:
>
> 1. Open My Computer and click Tools | Folder Options | View.
> 2. Scroll to the end of the advanced settings.
> 3. Un-check "Use simple file sharing (recommended).
>
> If you have Windows XP Home Edition, there's no easy solution. The
> safest thing is to share individual subfolders, as mentioned above.
>
> You can re-install the operating system on a FAT or FAT32 disk
> partition -- those disk formats don't have any sharing restrictions.
> However, that would lose the benefits of NTFS, which is more reliable
> and efficient and can use larger disks. You'd also need to re-install
> all of your applications.
>
> I've heard of two possible solutions for XP Home Edition on an NTFS
> disk partition. Before I give them, I want to emphasize that:
>
> 1. They're un-supported, un-documented, and un-tested.
>
> 2. There's no guarantee that they'll work.
>
> 3. They might cause data loss or corruption.
>
> 4. Microsoft and your computer manufacturer probably won't offer
> technical support if they cause problems.
>
> 5. Don't blame me if they cause problems. I warned you.
>
> If you want to try them, at your own risk:
>
> 1. Back up all of your important data first so that you can restore it
> in case of problems.
>
> 2. Run System Restore to create a restore point that you can go back
> to in case of problems.
>
> OK. With those danger signs flashing and alarm bells ringing, here
> they are:
>
> 1. Start Windows XP in "Safe Mode with Networking" (which temporarily
> disables "Simple File Sharing"), share the desired folder(s), set the
> permissions, and reboot normally, or:
>
> 2. Follow the procedure shown here:
>
> http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_home_sectab.htm
> --
> Best Wishes,
> Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)
>
> Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
> for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
> addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.
>
> Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

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