Windows: Activate File & Printer Sharing service

From The Neuros Technology Wiki

[edit] Introduction

The ability to share files & folders from your PC is supplied by a service called "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks". If upon right-clicking a folder, you cannot see a "Sharing" option, then this service must either be missing or disabled.

Note: this prodecure may differ slightly for different versions of Windows. The below guide was written using Windows 2000, but 98% of it should also apply to XP and Vista.

[edit] Install File & Printer Sharing

• Bring up the "Control Panel" in your favourite way.

• Enter the "Network & Dial-up Connections" folder.

• Right click upon your active LAN connection. If you have two, ensure you select the connection you wish to share through. Select 'Properties'

• Have a look at this dialog. Is the "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks" component listed? If yes, skip the rest of this section. If not, let's fix it!

• Click the "Install" button.

• Select 'Service' and click "Add..."

• Select "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks" and press OK. You may be asked for your Windows install CD. Ok through the rest of the dialogs and restart if necessary (probably a good idea anyway).

• Now right-clicking a folder in Explorer should allow you to set "Sharing" options.

[edit] Checking that the "Server" Service is enabled

If File and Printer Sharing in installed, it may have been disabled.

• Right-click "My Computer" and select "Manage"
• Open the "Services and Applications" tree and select "Services"
• Double-click the "Server" option, and ensure the 'Startup type' is 'Automatic' & it is currently running.