Re: Sharing system folders

From: Steve Winograd [MVP] (winograd_at_pobox.com)
Date: 05/23/04 

Date: Sun, 23 May 2004 04:02:45 -0600

In article <eF0yUwJQEHA.3660@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl>, "Emil Horowitz"
<info@horowitz-online.de> wrote:
>Hi,
>
>using my small network all by myself, I would like to share the folders
>"Windows" and "Programs" all over it. The windows online help tells me that
>this is not possible, but I suppose this is not the last word. Any help?
>
>Thank you,
>Emil

Here's the whole story, as I understand it.

When Windows XP is installed on an NTFS disk partition using "Simple
File Sharing", it blocks access to the Program Files and Windows
folders and to individual users' folders within Documents and
Settings.

You can share subfolders within those folders, e.g. you can share
"C:\Program Files\Outlook Express" or "C:\Documents and
Settings\Username\Desktop" 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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