# Network file sharing help needed **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 9, 2011, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-file-sharing-help-needed/592127 "2011-08-09T21:20:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-file-sharing-help-needed/592127/1 "2011-08-09T21:20:33Z")
I don’t even know if this is possible. I’ve just installed a router and made both my laptops wireless. Is it possible to make files on one computer accessible from the other one without actually copying them to a jump drive and manually transferring them? Windows 7 OS. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-file-sharing-help-needed/592127/2 "2011-08-09T23:55:58Z")
It is possible. You’ll want to turn on file sharing for the folder(s) that you want to share. I’d recommend starting by searching for “file sharing” in Help from within Windows and walk through the steps there. ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-file-sharing-help-needed/592127/3 "2011-08-10T01:31:44Z")
The easiest way is using [HomeGroup](http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/help/homegroup-from-start-to-finish). ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-file-sharing-help-needed/592127/4 "2011-08-10T08:47:31Z")
> **[Dropbox.com](http://www.dropbox.com)** > > Dropbox helps you simplify your workflow. So you can spend more time in your flow. ---
**Author:** ![Imasquare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Imasquare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imasquare)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-file-sharing-help-needed/592127/5 "2011-08-10T12:48:29Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I don’t even know if this is possible. I’ve just installed a router and made both my laptops wireless. Is it possible to make files on one computer accessible from the other one without actually copying them to a jump drive and manually transferring them? Windows 7 OS. Here’s a step by step guide. It assumes all clients are connecting to the router via WiFi but it doesn’t matter whether you connect via WiFi or by cable. > **[Simple Windows 7 File Sharing: Step-By-Step Procedure](https://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/simple-windows-7-file-sharing-step-by-step-procedure/)** > > Windows 7 provides an easiest way to establish a network connection for mutual file and folders sharing. If you have been using Microsoft OS platform and And some more background from Microsoft: > **[Windows help and learning](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows)** > > Find help and how-to articles for Windows operating systems. Get support for Windows and learn about installation, updates, privacy, security and more. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-file-sharing-help-needed/592127/6 "2011-08-10T13:49:41Z")
Thanks, gang. I’ll give it a try this week and let you know if I have problems. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-file-sharing-help-needed/592127/7 "2011-08-11T17:24:28Z")
Okay, I’ve set up the file sharing, but have another question: Is it possible to be able to view the files from another location without having them be read-only? For instance: if I use the notebook computer in the kitchen, retrieve a recipe, then see that it needs to be modified, I’d like to be able to do it right then rather than wait until later when I may forget about it. ---
**Author:** ![Blakeyrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blakeyrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blakeyrat)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-file-sharing-help-needed/592127/8 "2011-08-11T18:29:57Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Okay, I’ve set up the file sharing, but have another question: Is it possible to be able to view the files from another location without having them be read-only? For instance: if I use the notebook computer in the kitchen, retrieve a recipe, then see that it needs to be modified, I’d like to be able to do it right then rather than wait until later when I may forget about it. What method did you use to share the file? The answer depends on that. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-file-sharing-help-needed/592127/9 "2011-08-11T20:42:58Z")
> [@Blakeyrat](#): > > What method did you use to share the file? The answer depends on that. I went to the file sharing utility in the Windows control panel and allowed sharing for all document/photo/video/etc. files. If it makes any difference, I’m using Windows 7 Pro on my base/home computer, and the notebook came with Windows 7 Starter. ---
**Author:** ![Blakeyrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blakeyrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blakeyrat)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-file-sharing-help-needed/592127/10 "2011-08-11T22:53:56Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I went to the file sharing utility in the Windows control panel and allowed sharing for all document/photo/video/etc. files. If it makes any difference, I’m using Windows 7 Pro on my base/home computer, and the notebook came with Windows 7 Starter. I’m assuming you created a home group, then. In that case, I believe all you need to do is open the folder you want to share (for example, Documents), then from the top of the window there’s a menu named “Share with”. Pull that down and select “Home Group (read/write)”. Repeat the process for every folder you want to share, or you can just share your entire home directory which will automatically share all the folders inside it. Hope that helps. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-file-sharing-help-needed/592127/11 "2011-08-11T23:15:01Z")
> [@Blakeyrat](#): > > I’m assuming you created a home group, then. > > In that case, I believe all you need to do is open the folder you want to share (for example, Documents), then from the top of the window there’s a menu named “Share with”. Pull that down and select “Home Group (read/write)”. Repeat the process for every folder you want to share, or you can just share your entire home directory which will automatically share all the folders inside it. > > Hope that helps. Success! Thanks for the help.