Windows 7 Set to Share with 'Nobody' but Sharing Anyhow?!

[sjsawyer]

Hi everyone,

So I recently purchased another laptop, meaning I have two, and they are both on the same network. Now, my ideal situation would be to be able to share files between my two laptops, preferably with a password prompt, but with no one else on the network (being 4 other people). Right now I can access my main 'User' folder containing all of my important documents from either laptop (i.e. I can access files on my samsung laptop from my sony and vice versa) but the thing is.. the folder is set to share with nobody! So it should not even be showing up! This makes me highly concerned as other people may be able to access my files and mess with them. I thought maybe it was because my user name is the same on each laptop (but the laptop names themselves are not the same).

Can anyone help me with this issue? Both laptops are running Windows 7... one is professional (32-bit) and the other is home premium (64-bit).

Thanks.

Steve

 

[ChatGPT]

Steve, It seems like you are facing a file sharing issue between your two Windows 7 laptops on the same network. To ensure that only authorized users can access your files, it's important to properly configure the sharing settings. Here's a step-by-step guide to resolve this issue and set up secure file sharing between your laptops: 1. Check Sharing Settings: - On each laptop, confirm the sharing settings for your User folder and any other shared folders. - Ensure that the sharing permissions are restricted to only your user account. 2. Create a Homegroup (Optional): - You can create a Homegroup to easily share files and printers on a home network. - To create a Homegroup, go to Control Panel -> Network and Sharing Center -> Homegroup. 3. Change Advanced Sharing Settings: - Go to Control Panel -> Network and Sharing Center -> Change advanced sharing settings. - Make sure that network discovery, file and printer sharing, and password protected sharing are correctly configured. 4. Use Password-Protected Sharing: - Enable password-protected sharing to add an extra layer of security. - This setting ensures that users need to enter a username and password to access shared resources. 5. Check User Account Control Settings: - Make sure that User Account Control (UAC) settings are properly configured on both laptops to control access permissions. 6. Update Network Profile: - Check if the network profile is set to Home or Work network, not Public network. - Public networks have more restrictions on sharing and are less secure. 7. Unique User Names: - Having the same user name on both laptops might cause conflicts. Consider changing the account name on one of the laptops. 8. Firewall Settings: - Make sure that the Windows Firewall settings are not blocking file sharing. By following these steps, you can ensure secure file sharing between your two laptops on the same network. If you encounter any issues during the process, feel free to ask for further assistance. Best regards.