Version: 2008
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WEEKEND PROJECT: Share files and printers across a network
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Step 1

Getting started

Step 2

What you'll need

Step 3

Create a workgroup

Step 4

Allow file sharing

Step 5

Share a network printer

Step 6

Share a standalone printer

Step 7

Add the printer to the other PCs

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Share files and printers across your network

Step 3:

Create a workgroup


Each computer in a workgroup must have a unique name, but the workgroup name must remain consistent.

Each computer in a workgroup must have a unique name, but the workgroup name must remain consistent.

Before you can interact with the other computers in your home, you need to create a workgroup--essentially, a group of computers connected to one another over a network. Here's how to do it.

  1. Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > Network Connections > "Set up a home or small office network."

  2. When asked for a connection method, choose "This computer connects to the Internet through another computer on my network or through a residential gateway."

  3. Unless you're networking only Windows XP systems, choose "Create a network setup disk" when prompted. This creates a floppy you can use to run the wizard on non-XP systems if you have any on your network.

Watch the video to find out why you should write down your workgroup name

Now run the wizard on each additional system on your network. On non-XP systems, browse the floppy and run the file netsetup.exe. When configuring each system, assign each computer a different name, but use the same workgroup name. It can be any name you desire. Now that you've created a workgroup, you can begin sharing files and folders among the computers.
Allow file sharing


Share files and printers across your network

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