Sharing files between Windows XP and 7

Transferring files between two Windows XP computer was relatively easy. All you had to do was to ensure the workgroup was setup to be the same. And the option was rather easy to find in the control panel.

In Windows 7, they had this thing called the homegroup and between two Windows 7, it was similar to the workgroup for Windows XP.

The problem came when trying to transfer files between Windows XP and Windows 7. Windows 7 comes with workgroups as well as the homegroup mentioned.

Accessing files that were shared on Windows XP from the Windows 7 side were rather painless and typical for me.

However, when trying to retrieve files from the Windows XP side, nothing popped up. The connection was there when I tried to connect to the Windows 7 computer directly by typing "\\computer_name" in run, but the shared folder on the Windows 7 side refused to appear.

So, I went to google the problem and as usual, a thousand and one different solutions appear. However, I found one that somehow managed to solve my particular case.

Basically, here are the steps:

1. On the Windows 7 computer, go to Network and Internet in the Control Panel and select HomeGroup
2. Next, select Change advanced sharing settings...
3. Network discovery should be turned ON
4. File and printer sharing should be turned ON
5. Public folder sharing should be turned ON
6. And finally, Password protected sharing should be turned OFF
7. The rest of the options should be left untouched
8. Now, go to the folder that you want to share, Right-click and select Properties
9. Select Advanced Sharing... under the Sharing tab
10. Ensure that there is a tick in the checkbox beside Share this folder
11. Close this dialog box with OK
12. Now, click on the Security tab and click Edit
13. Click Add and type in "Everybody" exactly without the quotes. 
14. Click Ok thrice to close the dialog boxes. You're done.

You can try to access the folders through My network places on the Windows XP computer. If the folder did not appear, click on View Workgroup Computers  and select the Windows 7 computer. You should then be able to see the folder.

The online help that I found: Microsoft Forums