File and Printer Sharing between Windows 7 RC and XP
I was wondering if any one has successfully networked Windows 7 with XP? I have several machines on a home network, only this one on Windows 7, all the others are XP Pro. While I can browse and access files on the XP machines from Windows 7, I am unable to access files on this machine from any of the XP machines on the network. Also have been as of yet unable to print from this machine to a shared printer on one of the XP machines. When I try to add the neworked printer to this machine, I get an access denied error. There must be some prmisions settings I am missing some where. Any help would be apriciated. If this queston has already be ansewared in another post, I apologize as I did search unsucsesfuly for the solution.
May 8th, 2009 7:29pm

I am connected to the network ok, got internet access thought this same network. However I cant access the network printer that is connected to an XP machine. "Access Denied" and cant brows to files on this machine from XP. But I can browse to files on the XP machines from this one.
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May 8th, 2009 7:53pm

Do you have any firewall or security software installed on any machines in the network? If you do, make sure they are configured to allow communication of File and Printer Sharing for the LAN and that it's not blocking LAN traffic.To clarify, you cannot browse shared folders that the Windows 7 PC is hosting from any of the XP clients and the Windows 7 PC cannot print (but it did install) a printer shared from a XP host correct? If that is the case, do you get any particular error messages accessing the Windows 7 shares from XP PCs? What was your configuration and setup process to enable sharing on the Windows 7 PC?
May 8th, 2009 9:54pm

Thank you for your responce. In response to your question of firewall, I am only using windows firewalls on all machines. And network traffic back and forth has been working fine before installing Win7. No the Win7 setup did not install or detect the networked printer, when I go to "Devices and Printers" click the "Add Printer" button, windows does find the networked printer connected to my other computer. However after it has detected it when I click the "Next" button it tries to connect to it then give me a access denied error. I am able to print to this printer from other XP machines, so that leads me to believe the issue lies on the win7 pc. the only machine that is not able to. I guess I could have explained myself better in the original post. I was able to get to things in the c:\users\public\ directory, however I could not find where to share other directories. (Mostly because I was completely overlooking the obvious). I have figured out the file share issue. May or may not be the correct method. I went to "Computer" in the Start Menu. Navigated to the directory I wanted to share. Right Clicked on the directory, and selected "Properties". In the properties menu, I selected the "sharing" tab. In the sharing menu, clicked the "Share" button. On that screen I added "Everyone" to the list, with read write permissions.
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May 8th, 2009 11:04pm

Okay, I shut down all fire walls, and virus software on both machines. Still get access denied error when I try to access the network printer. Any ideas out there as to why I cant add this networked printer?
May 9th, 2009 9:53pm

Quote from "Jimbo45" on Windows 7 forum... http://www.sevenforums.com/network-internet/4602-xp-7-printer-sharing.html .......................................................................................................... I've posted on this before but to share Printers attached to XP computers with either X-64 or X-32 versions of W7 is SIMPLE. These instructions are for the Printer attached to the XP machine (but works in reverse as well). ("Stand alone" Network printers can be done slightly similarly BTW).assume the computers are call XPMACHINE and W7MACHINE.1) Ensure Printer on XP machine is shared - assume it's called SHAREDPRINTER.2) On the Network Browsing on your W7 machine ensure you can "See" the Printer share.Now on the W7 machine do the following (doesn't matter if it's X-86 or x-64).3) Control Panel==> add LOCAL (Yes LOCAL) printer. I know it's on a Network but hold your horses -- what we are actually doing is "Poodlefaking" the W7 machine into thinking it's running the printer.4) Create NEW port==>Local port5) Portname is\\XPMACHINE\SHAREDPRINTER6) Now W7 will load a driver and you'll be able to print on the XP machine.Simple(For a "Network stand alone printer") at 4) chose TCPIP portand at 5) enter the IP address.If the printer is on the W7 machine and you want to print on the XP machine then do the same instructions on the XP machine --port name in this case will be\\W7MACHINE\SHAREDPRINTER ..................................................................................... It worked fine for me, I wonder why Microsoft dont give this method as default? Michael
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May 12th, 2009 10:42pm

Michael, Thanks worked for me! My question\statement, is XP is probably the most prevalent operating system out there. Why then, with VISTA, which I still hate, and again with this new "savior" operating system, which I really like, did Microsoft NOT make it easily compatible with every other operating system l Remember Compatibility Mode in XP? Wow that was easy. Tell the marketing guys to stay out of the loop, let the innovative software guys make us a system I would want to replace MY XP for. They are damn close this time!Roger
May 13th, 2009 4:44pm

There i a compatibility mode, Right click the programs exe file and select properties. Then you will see a Compatibility tab to select and in there you have several options, as well as a drop down to select Operating Systems all the way back to Window 95. Still having no luck with this printer though. The above steps go well up until windows attempts to install the driver. Then I get the "installing Printer" progress bar that looks like it is installing, but never completes. It has currently been installing for 2 1/2 hours. The progress bar is animated with the blue bar going left to right, but never completes. I cant cancel and clicking the "x" in the top right corner also does nothing, just as if it was not responding. Task manager has the status listed as running? Might be worth mentioning I am trying to install a Lexmark 3350 all in one printer / copier. I have downloaded the vista driver and am attempting to install that driver. Maybe a compatibility issue with this printer / driver?
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May 13th, 2009 8:12pm

jprough, Thinking about it, before I found this solution, I had, in desperation, plugged the printer directly into the computer. It then proceeded to load the drivers, including a large update from the internet that took some time. Perhaps you could try this first?
May 14th, 2009 11:04am

Hi Putnik- Thank you very much for your Tech Tip it worked perfectly! Warm regards- Steven
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December 3rd, 2009 4:11am

This worked great thanks! I am though having one more problem. It worked well for my HP Laser jet printer and it prints fine from both the XP computer and the Windows 7 computer. The desk jet printer will not print from window 7 but from the xp just fine. Both printers are going through the xp machine, print spooling is on. When you hit print from the windows 7 machine, it cues up in the xp but then disappears immediately. Any idea why this happens and why I still can't print from the Windows 7 to the deskjet printer? Thanks
January 4th, 2010 5:54pm

thanks a lot Michael. Your method worked great!
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January 12th, 2010 9:50am

What a simple and elegant solution! I had been wrestling with this problem for several days with no luck. My setup is the reverse of what the note describes: printer is attached to W7 system and shared with networked laptop running Windows XP. I had tried everything imaginable, except installing printer on XP to a LOCAL port. Didn’t really think this would do it either, after all of what had already been tried. But, voila!! Thanks for posting your “poodlefaking” solution.
April 22nd, 2010 7:42pm

Okay, putnik, this got me REALLY close but I'm not quite there yet. I have an XP desktop that is connected via USB to my Lexmark x3350 MFP, I have a W7 laptop that I just bought that I have connected into my wireless home network and all of my file sharing is working perfectly. I got the printer to install properly using the answer you submitted. When I get to the very last step and try to print a test page or a document, the Lexmark software dialogue box comes up and says "Problem communicating with the printer". Any ideas?
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June 28th, 2010 5:56am

Thanks putnik Thanks putnik, you have save the day with the print sharing routine to use between Window 7 and XP. I thought I had to get a whole new printer. I had a Window 7 PC with a Canon iP6700D, my other machine was a XP operating machine. Used the routine, and withing a few minutes my printer was working from my XP machine. I'm going to save this routine for future use since my PC's don't always have the same operating system. :)
September 20th, 2010 9:28pm

Hi jprough, Interesting, I also run on this machine Windows 7, have 5 other PC's networked all of the same WorkGroup (named different than the default), 1 Laptop runs Vista Home Premium, another Laptop XP Pro, and 3 desktops run Windows XP Home & Pro. All Machines can see this one I shall call the MainPC (Win7), 3 PC's connect by Wifi, the other 2 wired. From the MainPC, I can view/copy/edit all shared folders/files of the other 5 PC's, but the others cannot view shared folders on this MainPC. I have ran Registry Repair programs and this does not change problem. I have disabled Windows Firewall and Norton, same issue remains. And basically Windows 7 & Vista suck...I prefer XP and in using XP, I did not have the many problems that Windows 7 & Vista have created. You would think after 25 years when Windows 1 was released Nov 1985, that Microsoft by now would of figured out to create an Operating System without all of the problems & issues we experience. And why not assign a Number to every known Error/written that we receive to make it easier to find an answer Searching MS's Knowledge Base or having to subscribe to Forum's, only to read umpteen others have the same issue, unresolved. i.e. use the OS designation Win7 or Vista or XP first part, followed by a number designating that specific error message is all we need to write down, or make it where you click on the assigned Error Number and it takes you straight to MS Knowledge Base, with the Issue Description, Probable Causes and Steps to take by Clicking to Resolve. I wonder if Apple/MAC users have the same issues Yes to folders & files being shared \\MyMainPC\File Transfer\ and Advance Sharing allowing those on my Network to have Permission to access, Read & Change. From other Computers I can see this MainPC, however Access is Denied immediately, not even showing the default Public Folders of this MainPC Even under Network and Sharing Center, Network Discovery is Turned On, File & Printer Sharing is Turned On, Public Folder Sharing is Turned On so anyone with network access can read & write, File Sharing is set to 128-bit encryption, Password protected sharing is Turned off and HomeGroup connections is set to Use user accounts and passwords to connect to other computers. And even if I change to Allow Windows to manage homegroup connections, same issues. Please let me know where I have gone wrong, have not done or checked? Thank you, Firedoc
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December 17th, 2010 2:38pm

it did not work for me dell laptop 4 days old runing windows 7 premium, and dell inspiron desktop runing windows xp, kodak all in one printer esp3200, have tried three days with no results help please.Roger Pruitt
March 3rd, 2011 10:19pm

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