I have a simple WORKGROUP type of network. It is a mix of Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP and Windows Mobile devices. All users have admin privilages (they even have the same name on each computer). I 'm able to share folders and files on all devices except the Windows 7 devices. I can only view the shared folders names on the Windows 7 devices, I can not open or access them. I get a message box: "Windows cannot access \\Win7ComputerName\c You do not have permission to access..." I have made sure Network Discovery, File and Printer Sharing, and Public Folder Sharing are all set to “on” and Password Protected Sharing is set to “off”. I have specified folders (other than public) to share in advanced sharing and have given Everyone access to them, but it does not seem to allow any sharing other than the Public folder. I would like to share the entire C or D drive not just the Public folder, but have been unsuccessful. Does anyone have any possible explaination? I've even tried turning off the basic Windows Firewall to no avail. The computers are connected together through a wireless router. I have complete control over sharing on XP, WinMobile and Vista devices, but am stymied by Windows 7. I have both Windows 7 Ultimate and Windows 7 Home Premium devices. Thanks for any help.

First and foremost, go to C drive, (the comp which you wanna share the drive out, let's call it comp A) right click it and choose share with>advanced sharing and click on advanced sharing tab and check share this folder follow by ok and apply Next go to Comp B and map the IP of Comp A, ensure that password protection sharing is turn off prior to mapping as well as there's isn't any third party firewall, if there is, you would need to configure or have it uninstall

Yes, I have done and tried all this. Password protection sharing is off. No 3rd party firewall. Bottom line: A Windows 7 Shared folder or Drive is visible but not openable on other networked computers (Windows 7, Vista, XP, WinMobile). Shared Folders and Drives located on Vista or XP machines are visible and openable on all others. There has to be some simple setting that is making Windows 7 stingy with sharing! Anyone else have some ideas? Thanks.

If you turn off Password Protected Sharing, other computers will access this computer with the Guest account of this computer from network. However, Guest account do not have permissions to access the C drive. You need to turn on Password Protected Sharing. When accessing this computer from network, use a valid credential of this computer if the username/password session window pops up. Another method is creating same username/password on all computers.Arthur Xie - MSFT

Logging on with the exact same usename/password on all computers does allow sharing of other folders besides the Public folder. Turning off Password Protected Sharing off should ease this restriction, but it doesn't. This requirement of exact same usename/password only exists with Windows 7. There has to be a way to get around this - any ideas? Thanks

You can enable Public Folder Sharing in Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Network and Sharing Center\Advanced sharing settings.Arthur Xie - MSFT

Yes, Public Folder Sharing is enabled. The Public Folder is the only folder that I can access on a Windows 7 machine unless I have exact matching username and passwords. I want to be able to share any folder to anyone not just the Public Folder and not just to those logged in with matching usernames and passwords. Browsing around for those with similar problems; they were able to solve them by turning off IP6 either the service or in the network card properties. Trying this makes no difference. Bottom line, how can I share any folder with anyone on the network? Only Windows 7 does not allow this. XP, Vista, Win Mobile all allow this. It is just a simple home WORKGROUP network connected through a wireless router. I'm not concerned with security, there is no Internet access and it is remote 'field location' where I am familiar with all those connected to the network. Thanks.

try to put your users into Administrator Group, I think for the default only Administrators Group member that can access root drive such as C or D, different with you share only C:\Data

When you log on with the same usename/password on all computers the Public folder should be accessible. I suggest you check the permission settings, add Everyone into the permission list and give it correct permission. Arthur Xie - MSFT

Hello W Smith, I believe I have the solution to your problem... I cannot believe how many forums simply don't explain to people how to set up Windows 7 to access other computers using their own password credentials. Here you go: [For this to work, Homegroups should already be disabled ] Go to your Network and Sharing Center. Click on "Choose Homegroup and Sharing Options" Click "Change advanced sharing settings " Turn ON Password Protected Sharing !!! Next in the "HomeGroup connections " section, select "Use user accounts and passwords to connect to other computers ." Click "Save changes ." Log back on to both computers. If you have properly SHARED the folders on each computer that you are trying to access, when you click on the network \\computer\ it will think for a while, then a user name and password box will appear. Obviously, you must then enter the user name and password for the computer you are trying to access. Once in the computer, your shared folder should be visible and fully accessible. Hopefully this helps. -pmk