How to Disable Simple File Sharing in Windows XP Home Edition
Sometimes, you might want to change the security or permissions on a folder in Windows XP Home Edition. You will right click on the folder and select Properties, and under the Security tab you might expect to see something like you would see in Windows 2000 - a list of Users and checkboxes for Allow and Deny. However, you won't see this, because Windows XP uses something called "Simple File Sharing." You can disable it in XP Professional, but not XP Home. Windows XP Home Edition was not designed for high security networking. It was designed for standalone workstations and home based Workgroup configurations.Fear not, there is a way around this (even if it is tedious).
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Steps
- Restart your computer in Safe Mode. To do this, follow these steps:
- Restart your computer. Before you see the Windows XP logo, hold down the F8 key.
- Select Safe Mode.
- Login in as Administrator. You'll get a warning about running in Safe Mode. Click Yes.
- Find the folder whose permissions you wish to change. Right click on that folder, and select Properties.
- Change the properties of the desired folder(s). You can now change all the properties of the folder just like you would in Windows 2000.
Tips
- If you are looking for information on accessing the file permission settings with Windows XP Professional, see the external links.
- In other versions of Windows such as Media Center and Professional all you have to do is go to Tools --->Folder Options. Then go to the "view" tab. Go to the white box and scroll all the way down and uncheck the box that says "use simple file sharing".
Warnings
- If you want the changes to apply to all subfolders, click the "Advanced" button and then check the box that says:
- Replace permission entries on all child objects with entries shown here that apply to child objects.That's actually what the message says, but don't be worried by the even more vague warning that's given to you when you hit "OK:"
- This will remove explicitly defined permissions on all child objects and enable propagation of inheritable permissions to those child objects. Only inheritable permissions propagated from webapps will take effect. Do you want to continue?Who said Microsoft programmers don't have the sweet touch?
Sources and Citations
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