Hello, I'm a long time user first time poster. I would like to set up access restrictions for a file that is shared in win 7. Now the restriction that i want to set is that anyone can access it from any PC on the LAN. But only I can change the files from any computer on the LAN obviously using a username and password of some sort. I tried adding a user to the computer the file is on and then enable password protection in file share but the computer would not allow me access after i entered the correct username and pass on my laptop computer. So any help would be appreciated and if there is a program that I could just create two access accounts and then passwords for both then share on with everyone with only read permission and use the other for full control. Im really struggling to figure this out.

Hi Electroman87, Are you trying to share the file with all users but only you can modify the shared file? If so, you can try the following steps to change the share permission to see if it meets your needs: 1. Right click on the file you would like to share, choose Properties. 2. Go to Security tab, click Advanced. 3. On Permissions tab, click Change Permissions. 4. Uncheck the box "Include inheritable permissions from this object's parent", click Remove button when a dialog box occurs. (This can help us remove all permission settings.) 5. Click OK. We will get a warning as there is no group or user is set here. Click OK again. 6. Back to Security tab, click Edit --- Add. 7. Input Everyone in the box, click OK to add Everyone to "Group or user names" list. 8. Check "Read & execute", and "Read" boxes. Uncheck any other boxes. 9. Redo step 7 and 8 but input the user name you would like to give a full control permission. 10. Check Full Control box under the specific user. This will allow it control shared files. 11. Click OK twice. Now everyone on the network can access the shared folder but only the one who know the user account and password we set can modify or delete shared files. In addition, in Windows 7, you can link your online IDs with your user account to access share files. If you are interested, please refer to What's the benefit of linking my online IDs with my Windows user account?. Hope this help. Regards, Linda

Yes that is exactly what im trying to do. But when will the computer ask for username and password? When I just try to access the file or only when I try to modify it? Im gonna try this when I get home today.

I keep getting an error when I try to connect to the file from my Laptop. I enter the Username and Pass when prompted and I get: \\media is not accessible. you might not have permission to use this network resource.... Now I guess I should give you a full rundown. The files I want to have access to are on a WIN 7 computer on the a F drive. I tried sharing the whole F drive but still got this error. I set up a user on the Win7 computer. "pat" and a pass. Then I set the permissions by what you stated. with pat at full control. then from my laptop running windows xp type \\media in "run" then I am prompted with a user pass field. I enter pat as user name and the password I assigned. Then i get the above error.

Hi Electroman87, Let's see if the following stepscan resolve the issue. Check Share Permission =============== 1. Right click on the shared folder and select "Properties". 2. In the pop up window, select Sharing tab. 3. Click on Advanced Sharing button and then check "Share this folder" Note: If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type your password, or click Continue. 4. In the pop up window, click Permissions button to open the Permission window for this shared folder. 5. Check if your user name (pat) is listed in the upper pane of the open window. If not, please perform the following steps to add it. 6. Click Add button, input your user name, click on Check Names button and click OK. 7. Select the user in the list, in the lower pane, make sure that the check box of Full Control and Allow is selected. 8. Clear the all the check boxes of Deny column. 9. Once "pat" is added to the list, please check if "Everyone" is listed. If not, please add it and then change the permission to "Read" by the steps above. 10. Go back to Sharing tab, click Share button. 11. In the pull down list, please select Everyone and then click Add. 12. Change Everyone's Permission level to "Read". 13. Click Share and then click Done. Once the folder is shared, please go to another computer and see if the issue can be resolved. For more information about file sharing, please refer to the following article: File and Printer Sharing in Windows Vista Shared partitions are not accessible from other computers? Please Note: Since the web site is not hosted by Microsoft, the link may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this information. (This also applies to Windows 7.) In addition, you also can use Windows 7 HomeGroup to share a folder or a file: File sharing essentials Good luck! Regards, Linda

Well I think I got it working but the problem that I'm having now is after I sign in as to a drive from a networked computer I can't change the log-in to edit the file