Network Guide

How to setup File and Print Sharing

Sharing files in Windows

Sharing folders and files in Microsoft Windows is relatively straight forward and it is built into all versions of Windows. Also, you need to remember to set File and Share permissions for users so they can Read, Write, Create, delete or modify files and folders in the share.

1. Open File Explorer
2. Create a new directory.
3. Open properties of the new directory.
4. Select the Sharing tab.
   
   
5. Click on the Share button or the Advanced Sharing button.
6. Tick Share this folder.
7. Enter a Share name.
8. Click on Permissions and add users and/or groups to access this share.
   1. Full Control - Read and write access and update permissions
   2. Change - Create, modify and delete files.
   3. Read - Read files only.
      
      
9. Click Ok when done.
10. Click on Security tab to refine the permissions to the folder.
11. Click Apply and Ok.

Sharing Printers in Windows

1. Open Control Panel, Device and Printers.
2. Right the printer device, and select Printer Properties.
3. Select the Sharing tab.
4. Tick the box 'Share this printer'.
5. Enter or modify the Share name.
6. If required, select and add any Additional Drivers.
   
   
   
   
7. Click Apply and Ok.

Sharing files and printers in Linux

To share files in Linux, esp. with other Linux or Windows machines, requires the use of Samba (or SMB = Server Message Block).

To share a folder, open the Control Centre, Shared Folders, click add and enter path of the folder to share, the share method (ususally SMB), name of the share and whether it is read only or not.

To share folders manually, you need to edit the /etc/samba/smb.conf file and create entries for the folder(s) you want to share, for example, this will share the path

Printers can also be easily shared, open Control Centre, Printers, right click a Printer and tick 'Shared'. See /etc/cups/printers.conf for configuration.