Share Folder with Everyone Read/Write

[fenton]

Q: I share a folder on Windows 7 RC and gave everyone read/write permission. But when I access the folder from an XP box, I cannot see the share. I tried compername\username and password for the user, but it still didn’t work. Only if I turn off file sharing password protection, then I can see the share and all of the others. Why is that?

A: The Windows 7 system requires authentication from every connection, even when you mark a share as Everyone read/write. If it isn’t authenticated, the connection is rejected. When you disable file sharing password protection, you enable Guest access and therefore enables access to the share without authentication. Since the authentication from XP is not compatible with Windows 7 by default, you can only access the share without authentication being required.