I have a laptop with Windows 7 and a desktop with Windows XP in my office. Can't I just connect them together with a single ethernet cable so I can share data? Can you give me a step-by-step process?Thanks1 person needs an answerI do too

Hi<!-- [if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]-->In order to share data you need a connection.Whether it can be done with a cable or not depends on what else the computer are connected to.Once connected correctly you have to configure file sharing on both computers.-------------------------As for Sharing configuration.Make sure that the Software Firewall on each computer allows free local traffic. If you use 3rd party Firewall On, Vista/XP Native Firewall should be Off, and the active Firewall has to adjusted to your Network IP numbers on what is some time called the Trusted Zone (consult your 3rd Party Firewall instructionsGeneral example, http://www.ezlan.net/faq#trustedPlease Note that some 3rd party Software Firewalls keep blocking aspects of Local Traffic even it they are turned Off (disabled). If possible configure the Firewall correctly, or totally uninstall it to allow clean flow of local network traffic. If the 3rd party software is uninstalled or disables, make sure that Windows native Firewall is On .Windows XP File Sharing - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040Printer Sharing XP - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july2.mspxWindows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP -http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357In Win XP pro you can Visually see the Permission/Security setting, and configure them to your liking.http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/learnmore/accesscontrol.mspx#securityTabWhen finished with the setting of the system it is advisable to Reboot all the hardware including the Router and all computers involved.Jack - Microsoft MVP, Windows Networking. WWW.EZLAN.NET

HiWhether it can be done with a cable or not depends on what else the computer are connected to.Once connected correctly you have to configure file sharing on both computers.-------------------------As for Sharing configuration.Make sure that the Software Firewall on each computer allows free local traffic. If you use 3rd party Firewall On, Vista/XP Native Firewall should be Off, and the active Firewall has to adjusted to your Network IP numbers on what is some time called the Trusted Zone (consult your 3rd Party Firewall instructionsGeneral example, http://www.ezlan.net/faq#trustedPlease Note that some 3rd party Software Firewalls keep blocking aspects of Local Traffic even it they are turned Off (disabled). If possible configure the Firewall correctly, or totally uninstall it to allow clean flow of local network traffic. If the 3rd party software is uninstalled or disables, make sure that Windows native Firewall is On .Windows XP File Sharing - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040Printer Sharing XP - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july2.mspxWindows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP -http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357In Win XP pro you can Visually see the Permission/Security setting, and configure them to your liking.http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/learnmore/accesscontrol.mspx#securityTabWhen finished with the setting of the system it is advisable to Reboot all the hardware including the Router and all computers involved.Jack - Microsoft MVP, Windows Networking. WWW.EZLAN.NET

This is too complicated. Is there a way to make one computer act like a USB drive so I can just plug it in? I just want to transfer some data from one to the other. It would probably be cheaper to just buy a 10 Gb USB drive and use it as a go-between, or even transfer my files by uploading via FTP.Doesn't say much about Windows when doing such a simple task is so difficult between two computers using different versions of the same operating system. My desktop Mac recognized the Windows computer right way and it was very easy to transfer files.

HiUSB Drive has minimal (or no) protection, so it is much easier to use it.Not so with a computer.It like you are saying. It is too hard to drive a car, can I make a car working like a Bicycle. Jack - Microsoft MVP, Windows Networking. WWW.EZLAN.NET

No, what I'm saying is that I want my Windows laptop to be as easy to operate as a Mac.As for your vehicle analogy, it's too bad Microsoft doesn't make cars. They'd be so hard to drive we'd all be back on bicycles.