Windows 7's network sharing features are easy to access.
Windows 7 has been designed to use on a network at home or around the office, and comes complete with a broad range of features for sharing files, folders and devices with other users. Microsoft has tried to make these network features as straightforward as possible, and you can be up and running with a couple of clicks of the mouse if you’re trying to get access to an existing network. It’s worth taking some time to check the settings you’re using, however, to ensure that you’re not granting other users more privileges than you’d like.
Open up the Network and Sharing Centre from Control Panel, then click the Advanced sharing settings link on the left. From here you’ll be able to configure network discovery (detecting other PCs), file and printer sharing, media streaming, and access to the Public folders on your machine. You can also set up password-protected sharing, which adds another layer of security to the sharing process.
(For a full guide to Windows 7, order the Essential Windows 7 Handbook 2nd Edition, on sale now from newsagents and online.)
