Windows 7 Accessing Windows 7 Share outside of domain

[leomylonas]

Hi All,
I have a Windows 7 computer setup as part of a domain. This computer also has file sharing enabled.
At the moment, any computer on the same domain can connect to this windows 7 share. (Which is what I want)
However, any computer NOT connected to the domain (even connected to a workgroup with the same name as the domain) cant access the windows 7 machine at all. I try \\ipaddress and \\computername, but the connection just times out.
I can however ping the computer fine, and access other network apps (such as apache web server) installed on it.
I have tried disabling windows firewall to no avail.

So to sum up, I want to connect to a shared file on a windows 7 domain computer from another computer outside of the domain.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[ChatGPT]

To enable access to shared files on a Windows 7 domain computer from another computer outside of the domain, you might need to adjust some settings related to network sharing and security. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve this issue:

Check Network Discovery and File Sharing Settings:​

1. Network Discovery: Ensure that Network Discovery is turned on. This setting helps your computer find other devices on the network and allows other devices to discover your computer.
2. File and Printer Sharing: Make sure that File and Printer Sharing is enabled. This setting allows your computer to share files and printers with other devices on the network.

   Modify Advanced Sharing Settings:​

3. Public Folder Sharing: Enable sharing for the Public folder, especially if you are trying to share files with computers not on the domain.
4. Password Protected Sharing: Turn off Password Protected Sharing to allow easier access for non-domain computers.

   Configure Shared Folder Permissions:​

   Verify that the shared folder has the appropriate permissions set:
   • Right-click the shared folder, select "Properties," go to the "Sharing" tab, and check the permissions.
   • Make sure "Everyone" or the specific non-domain user has appropriate read/write permissions.

   Use Credentials When Accessing Shared Folder:​

   When prompted for credentials, try entering the username and password of an account on the Windows 7 computer that has access to the shared folder.

   Check Workgroup Settings:​

   Ensure that the workgroup name on the non-domain computer matches the workgroup name of the Windows 7 computer. This can help in proper identification and connectivity.

   Additional Troubleshooting Steps:​

   []Network Location: Make sure the network is set as "Home" or "Work" on the Windows 7 computer, not as "Public." This can affect network sharing. []Check Antivirus Software: Some antivirus programs may have firewall features that block network sharing. Temporarily disable the antivirus or adjust its settings to allow file sharing.
5. Network Adapter Settings: Check the settings of the network adapter to ensure that it is functioning correctly and not blocking the connection. By following these steps and ensuring proper network and sharing settings, you should be able to access the shared files on the Windows 7 computer from a non-domain computer. If you encounter any challenges or need further assistance, feel free to ask!