Security

If it's not necessary for you to share folders on your machine with other users, turn off file sharing. 

• Turn off File Sharing

Otherwise, if you need to permit certain users access to certain folders on your machine, you can set up permissions to allow limited, password-protected file sharing.

• Limit the Permissions for Shared Folders
  

Turn off File Sharing

1. On the Start menu, click Control Panel, and then click Network and Sharing Center.
   
   
2. Under Sharing and Discovery, click the arrow next to File sharing, and then select Turn off file sharing.
   
   
   
   
3. Under Sharing and Discovery, click the arrow next to Public folder sharing, and then select Turn off sharing.
   
   
   
   
4. Click Apply.
   
   

Even with file sharing and public folder sharing turned off, you can still share folders, if necessary. For more information, see the Limit the Permissions for Shared Folders procedure.

Limit the Permissions for Shared Folders

With file sharing and public folder sharing turned off, you can still share folders. Use this procedure to turn on password protection for shared folders. After you turn on password protection for shared folders, only users who have an account and a password can access shared folders on your machine. You'll need to set up a user account and password for each person to whom you want to grant sharing permissions.

1. On the Start menu, click Control Panel, and then click Network and Sharing Center.
   
   
2. Under Sharing and Discovery, click the arrow next to Password protected sharing, and then select Turn on password protected sharing.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Click Apply.
   
   

If you're on a departmental network, consult with your local technical support provider to set up accounts and passwords for shared folders.

Note: If you want to see which files and folders are being shared, at the bottom of the page, click Show me all the files and folders I am sharing.