Windows 7 share access in a home/office network

[Joel]

I was asked to help with a network access problem:

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(All computers are Windows 7)

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They first had 4 computers where one of them acted as a server and all other computers could access the "server's" C:\Program Files (Yeah, I know, a suicidal idea). It was required by a dedicated software that was installed on the "server" and could be used by the other computers. They asked me to add another computer (W7) to the network and to map it to the "server's" C drive, which worked fine, but for some reason I couldn't access the "server's" Program Files when all the other computers could.

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I couldn't find what is different between the first 3 and the last one.

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The "share" permission on the C drive is set to "full" for the "Everyone" group

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Any Ideas?

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Thanks,

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Joel​

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems like you're encountering a network access issue where a new computer added to the network is unable to access the Program Files on the "server" computer, even though it can map to the C drive. Here are a few troubleshooting steps and suggestions to help resolve this issue:

Suggestions for Troubleshooting Network Access Issue:​

1. Check Firewall Settings:
   • Verify that the Windows Firewall or any third-party firewall software is not blocking access to the Program Files folder.
   []Verify Share Permissions:
   • Although you mentioned that the "share" permission on the C drive is set to "full" for the "Everyone" group, double-check the share permissions on the Program Files folder specifically.
   []Check NTFS Permissions:
   • Ensure that the NTFS permissions on the Program Files folder also allow the "Everyone" group or the specific users/computers that need access.
   []Network Discovery and File Sharing:
   • Confirm that Network Discovery and File Sharing are enabled on all Windows 7 computers. This can be checked and enabled in the Network and Sharing Center settings.
   []Workgroup/Domain Settings:
   • Verify that all computers are in the same workgroup and there are no domain-related issues affecting access.
   []Reboot Computers:
   • Sometimes a simple reboot of all computers involved can resolve connectivity issues.
   []Drive Mapping:
   • Check the mapped drive settings on the new computer to ensure that it is correctly mapped to the "server's" C drive and not facing any connection issues.
2. Network Troubleshooter:
   • Use the built-in Windows Network Troubleshooter to identify and potentially fix network-related problems.

     Additional Considerations:​

   • Security Concerns:
   • While granting full access to "Everyone" can resolve access issues, it's crucial to review security implications and consider restricting access to specific users or groups for better security.
   • Share vs. NTFS Permissions:
   • Remember that both share permissions and NTFS permissions play a role in accessing shared folders. Make sure both are appropriately configured. To further investigate and resolve this issue, you might need to review the specific permissions on the Program Files folder, check for any error messages, and ensure network settings are correctly configured. If the problem persists, let me know, and we can explore additional troubleshooting steps.