Windows 7 How to share folders... finally

It seems like you're looking to share folders between your Windows XP and Windows 7 machines on your local network. The steps you mentioned are on the right track for sharing files securely. Here's a breakdown of the steps you provided and some additional details:
1. Sharing Files and Folders between Windows XP and Windows 7:
- Step 1: Right-click on the C drive on your Windows 7 machine and select "Properties."
- Step 2: Navigate to the "Security" tab and click on "Edit."
- Step 3: Click on "Add" and enter the name "NETWORK," then click "Check Names" and "OK."
- Step 4: Check all the "Allow" boxes for the NETWORK user and click "OK."
- Step 5: Switch to the "Sharing" tab and click on "Advanced Sharing" and then "Permissions."
- Step 6: Check the "Allow" boxes for "Everyone" under permissions and click "OK" then "OK" again to close the dialog boxes.
2. Network Sharing Considerations:

- Ensure both your Windows XP and Windows 7 machines are on the same local network.
- Your workgroup settings should match on both machines (for example, WORKGROUP).
- The sharing settings should be adjusted for the specific folders you want to share, not just the C drive.
3. Folder Sharing Best Practices:

- Instead of sharing the entire desktop, consider creating a specific folder on your Windows 7 machine for sharing files between the XP and Win 7 devices.
- Customize sharing permissions based on your needs (read-only, read/write) to enhance security.
4. Accessing Shared Folders:

- To access the shared folder from your Windows XP machine, you can use the Network Neighborhood or map network drives.
By following these steps and ensuring proper network setup, you should be able to share files and folders between your Windows XP and Windows 7 machines effectively. If you encounter any issues during the process, feel free to ask for further assistance.