Win7 share and Map Desktop to drive letter on XP machine

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ADKM

692 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 30

Topic # 175399 27-Jun-2015 20:46

Hi, Trying to resurrect my Win7-XP file sharing setup over LAN after new motherboard install,

Win 7 can see my XP machine , but XP machine fails to find 'network path'

I've been trying to find the desktop folder in Win7 (to share it) , but can only find incomplete desktop folders, not one
showing all the files that are there. Can anyone help please ?

And also fighting 'Access denied' messages like crazy. What a pain! The lock on a folder icon - can I get rid of them ??

Thanks for any help.

jhsol

74 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 14

Reply # 1333080 28-Jun-2015 21:28

Windows 7 desktop locations are based upon the user (ie C:\users\username\desktop). Browse to there to share out the folder.
Folders found within C:\users\username have the default permissions of blocking non admins and only allowing the user modify rights (so user1 will have rights to change c:\users\user1 but not read or write access to anything in c:\users\user2.
When sharing out your desktop folder you need to ensure share permissions are set to "everyone" read and write, as well as NTFS permissions for everyone to read and write (right click on folder, choose properties and click on security tab).
So from the information given it sounds like its a permissions issue.

Solution
The quickest way is to do the following
- Create a folder on c drive and call it Uploads.
- Right click on folder and choose Properties -> Sharing -> Advanced Sharing ->Tick Share this folder -> Permissions -> Tick Full Control, Change and Read. Click OK twice.
- Click on Security tab and click on -> Edit -> Add -> Type "Everyone" and click Ok -> Put tick in Modify. Click ok.

Now try accessing the share from your XP machine and you should see the upload folder where you can now start copying\moving your data across. Move your stuff out of there on the Win 7 machine or disable the share to stop someone else accidentally wiping your data later on.

ADKM

692 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 30

Reply # 1333318 29-Jun-2015 12:59

Thanks very much for the run-down. Not an easy task to get right, seems very different to my last install but I'm getting to grips with it and can now share the desktop !
And any new folders as you described. Thanks again!
Regards, ABB

jhsol

74 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 14

Reply # 1333513 29-Jun-2015 15:37

Ill also add that the c:\users\Public\desktop (win7) might be the path where some of your desktop stuff might be hiding. The desktop you see when you login is a combination of your user desktop + public desktop folder (so if you want an icon to appear on all user desktops, shove it in the c:\users\public\desktop location. If you only want it for 1 user, put it in the c:\users\username\desktop.

ADKM

692 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 30

Reply # 1333559 29-Jun-2015 16:28

Ok gotcha... did thing I wasn't seeing everything. Thanks.

wasabi2k

2090 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 848

Reply # 1333560 29-Jun-2015 16:30

Sharing your desktop (or for that matter, pretty much anything under your profile) is generally a bad idea.

bonkas

212 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 10

Reply # 1333873 30-Jun-2015 09:07

You may also need to change the advanced sharing settings to allow connections without require=ing logon credentials.. otherwise you will require a duplicate account on the XP machine to connect to the Windows 7 Box.

Here is how to change that setting if it becomes an issue. I would also recommend turning it back on when done.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/185429-password-protected-sharing-turn-off-windows-7-a.html