Despite the fact that the process of establishing the general resources of Vista is similar to that in Windows XP, for the first time, it may seem a bit confusing. Therefore, in this article step by step we will go through the whole procedure of setting up and configuring the overall network resources.

Setting up access to files via "Shared Folders"

In Windows Vista no folders, "General documents, as in XP but instead used folder" General "(Public), you can easily share files and documents for other accounts on this computer or user on the network.
As shown in Fig. 1, go to a public folder can be accessed on "Explore" (Explorer) or "Computer" (Computer).

You can simply drag (or copy and paste) files and directories in the folder "General" (or its sub-sections), to make them common to other users of the computer or network.

While Vista shared folder automatically open to other users, it adopted security measures to access it from unreliable networks, for example, access points Wi-Fi. When you first connect to the network, you must choose its network deployment: "House" (Home), "Job" (Work), or "Public place" (Public).

If, for example, you define a network as "Public place", the system will protect your documents in an unreliable network, automatically cut off all shared resources (through open as a public folder, and hand). When you return home, and connect to your network (identified as "House"), access to all resources to recover.

You can easily disable access to a shared folder through the Network Center and general access "(Network and Sharing Center). To do this, right-click the icon status of the network in the tray, and then scroll down to the green / gray indexes, click on the arrow to the right of the caption "General folder, select the mode and click Apply.

Access to a separate folder

Make a folder can be common not only moving it in the "General", but also through its own preferences, the same as Windows XP. Access Setup Vista little more difficult than in previous versions of Windows. It is this:

1. Right click on the folder to which you want to open access, and select "Sharing" (Share). A window displaying "total access to the file (File sharing) (Fig. 2).

A list with the names and levels of authorization includes people who have access to this folder. Account Windows, which you currently use, automatically added to the list.

2. In the pull-down menu (on the access list), you need to select people you want to include in the list and click the "Add". To open a folder for the entire network (and, consequently, to all users of your computer), select "All" ( "Everyone"), and click Add (Add).
3. After incorporating all the items on the list, you can change the access level authorization (Permission Level), clicking on the arrow indicating the extent permission.

There are three levels of authorization:

• "reader" (Reader): It may view files in the folder, but does not have the right to modify or delete, and add new ones.

• "Editor" (Contributor): You may view files, or add new, but may alter or remove only those files that are edited.

• "owner" (Co-owner): It may browse, add, delete or modify any files open.

4. When all operations click "Share" to save all the changes. Upon completion window opens, which will be a path to a new shared folder.
5. Click Finish (Done)

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Overall access to the printer

As with Windows XP, the printer is connected to your computer, you can easily make available to users on the network. To do this:

1. Open the folder "Printers" (Printers) in the "Control Panel" (Control Panel).
2. Right-click the printer that you want to make a general, and click "Share". Appears printer settings, open tab shared.
3. Click Edit Options general access "(Change Sharing Options). If you need to enter an administrator password or acknowledge the action.
4. Select "Add a share (Share this printer).
5. In the box, enter the name under which you want to identify it in the network.
6. Click OK.

Using common printers

After the share has been appointed to the printer, you can use this device over the network to other computers. In Windows Vista is done as follows:

1. Open the folder Printers of the "Control Panel".
2. On the toolbar, click Add Printer "(Add a printer).
3. Click on the "Add network, or Bluetooth wireless printer (Add a network, wireless, or Bluetooth printer). Run a search for common printers on the network.
4. Select the printer and click Next (Next). If you have not found the desired printer, press the corresponding button to find it manually.
5. Give the name of the desired new printer.
6. If you do not want this printer has been selected / default used for printing on your computer, remove the star to a related item.
7. Click Next. You will see a warning on the successful appendix printer.
8. To check printer, click 'Print a test page "(Print a test page).
9. Click "Finish" (Finish).

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If during installation you can not find a common printer, then make sure that the computer to which it is attached, does not support disabled common printing devices. You can verify this in the Center and the overall network access, Epson page to the appropriate item.

The inclusion of password protection

In Windows Vista, you can use passwords to protect shared folders. When the protection, however, access to these folders will be only users of your computer (after entering a password). Access to the network will then be closed.

1. Right-click the icon status of the network in the tray and choose "Network Center and general access."
2. In the new window, click on the arrow in front of a green / grey indicator in the "Protecting a common access" (Password protected sharing). There will be access settings (Figure 3).
3. Click on "Enable protection…" (Turn on password-protected sharing) and click Apply.

Viewing all shared folders on your computer

Unlike Windows XP, in Vista, you can quickly and easily see all folders Share. After a time, it's difficult to remember what directories you open access, so the list of shared resources useful to have on hand. This will allow you to better protect the information, which is especially important for people who are often using unreliable network, such as access point Wi-Fi.

1. Right-click the icon status of the network in the tray and choose "Network Center and general access."
2. In the new window, scroll down the page.
3. To view shared files and folders, click on links that indicate red arrows in Fig. 4. To check that you have not opened access to confidential information useful to periodically review the list of common folders, their contents and configuration permits.