Access Shared Folders on a Network

When logged in as an administrator or an authorized user, accessing the shared folders on a network can be accomplished in a few simple steps. In the most commonly used operating system environments, the methods for accessing the shared folders on a network vary only slightly. This article provides detailed instructions for accessing the shared files, folders and libraries on a network using Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 or Mac OS X.

Steps

Access Homegroup Computers, Shared Folders and Libraries in Windows 7

1. Click the user name located in the upper right corner of the Start menu.
2. Highlight the Homegroup option, located in the column on the left. Notice the list of user account names displayed.
3. Access the folders. Select the user name of the location where the shared folders or files are stored. Provided that the network user is permitted access to the shared folder, all files and sub-folders stored there will be available.

Access the Public Folders on the Network in Windows Vista

1. Open the Start menu and select Network from the column on the right (You can also open network from Network Icon on Desktop. The Network window will open, displaying any computers connected to the network.
2. Access the public folders. Double-click the computer containing the public folder sought, then double-click the SharedDocs folder. Provided that sharing has been enabled, access to the documents contained in the SharedDocs folder will be permitted.

Access Shared Files and Folders on the Network in Windows XP

1. Open the start menu and select My Network Places. Any shared folders available on the network will be visible in the My Network Places window.
2. Access shared files and folders. Double-click on any shared folder. Provided that the user account has access permission, the selected folder and files will be accessible.

Access Shared Folders and Files on the Network in Mac OS X

1. Open the Finder window. Click the Finder dock icon on the desktop to open the Finder window. All computers connected to the network that have sharing enabled will be displayed in the column on the left under "Shared."
2. Double-click the network computer containing the shared folders you wish to access. The Shared Folders dialog box will open.
3. Access the shared folders and files. Highlight the folder you wish to access and click OK. Provided that access to the shared folder is allowed, the selected shared folder will open, displaying the contained files.

Tips

• The administrator name and password may be required in order to gain access to shared folders on the network. Administrators and users assigned with the proper permission can enter the required information when prompted.
• Contact the network administrator when access to the shared folders on a network is denied.

Related Articles

• View Files on a Networked Computer

Sources and Citations

• http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1549
• http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Share-files-with-someone
• http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Sharing-files-with-the-Public-folder
• http://www.msexchange.org/tutorials/public-folder-basics-part1.html

See also

• Click a Computer Mouse
• Put a Desktop Computer to Sleep
• Convert Numbers to Xls
• Open Windows 10 Settings
• Set up a Computer Centered Workspace
• Copy and Paste
• Create Macros
• Turn off Firewall
• Check Computer Specifications
• Restart a Computer

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What links here

• Enable File Sharing