Network Shares for ANYONE not EVERYONE - how?

From: Steve Lim (steve_at_stevelim.com)
Date: 08/29/04 

Date: 28 Aug 2004 18:51:58 -0700

I wrote to someone @ microsoft but didn't get a reply.. here is my question..

I am writing to you out of frustration and desperation. I'm asking for 2
mins of your time to help clear up some misunderstandings that I have with
Windows Security and Network Shares.

The scenario is that I wish to share a folder with basically anyone logging
in from various workgroups and domains (we have a huge network here). I
would like to do this without having to prompt the user for their
username/password. Simply to allow them limited or full access to the
folder. (I am aware of the dangers and security implications).

>From my research, I have found one tedious way that seems to make this work..

Here are the steps.
1. Enable Guest account.

>From Explorer.. Right click on the folder..

2. Add Guest To the folders' Sharing -> Permissions
3. Add Guest To the folders' Sharing -> Security

>From - Administrator Tools - Local Security Settings

4. Remove 'Deny Access to this computer from Network' -> Guest
5. Add 'Access this computer from the Network' -> Guest

I think thats about it.. Those steps allow me to access the folder from
anywhere as anyone WITHOUT a username/password prompt.

My question is.. is there an easier way? Or even if there is an alternative
albeit just as tedious way.. I would like to know about it. Just so I can
put this issue behind me.

Furthermore, I tried another approach.. disabling the guest account and
instead trying to use the 'ANONYMOUS LOGON' SID.. this doesnt seem to work.
Which makes me wonder what its for. 

----
Lastly, Something abit unrelated. Do you have any idea why on some
computers.. you see nothing in 'My Network Places'. Hitting refresh doesnt
help. The workaround is to right-click on the my network places icon and
then choose -> Explore. This opens up another window and now correctly
lists the network neighbourhood domains and workgroups.
Is this a bug/feature or??
Thanks for your time..

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