Can't access wife's Program files on home network?

This has been going on for years and my tech guy doesn't have an answer.
The wife and I are on a XP-Pro network (TCP/IP) and both have Administrative accounts. We can see each others c:\ files with no problem but if we try to access anything in the others Program Files it says:

Program files are not accessible.
Access Not Allowed.

Is there a solution to this?

 

Hi robls99

You have to “ share the folder on the network” by right clicking on the folder then click on properties and go to sharing and click on “ share this folder on the network.
Now you should be able to access the files in that folder
Sven

 

Sven,

Thanks for the reply.

I set up a new Test directory in the Program Directory of my wife's computer and set up the Sharing in the Properties.

It still wouldn't let me pass thru her Program directory from my computer.

Do I have to set up Sharing for all 50 folders in her Program directory for me to get thru Programs and see any one of them?

I don't mind trying it if you think it will work?

PS: I was able to set up a shortcut to her new c:\Programs\Test directory
I then moved it to her C: directory where I was able to see it and copy to my Desktop and for the first time I was able to see a Program directory on her computer.

 

Robls99,
The only thing I did on my small network was make “My Documents” available to the other computers. I never went beyond that. I don’t know if you can make the whole drive available.
Sorry, can’t help you beyond that
Sven

 

ok, thanks for all your help.

 

robls99,

Testing on my XP Home edition, there is no way for me to set sharing on the Program Files folder. I keep the message that the folder is being used by the Operating System. Even I set sharing on several folders inside Program Files, as you know, that still doesn't help. Oddly, I can fully access the Program Files Folder that I have on another drive (F. Doing some looking, I found the following. It may or may not help.

"Users should be able to read (but not write) Program Files on their
local computer, so I suspect you have some overly restrictive share
permissions. Right-click the Program Files folder and check your Share
tab and see if Everyone has full control over Program Files. Then grant
Change control to Users if you want write access. This only applies to XP Pro with simple file sharing disabled. "

To turn Simple File Sharing on or off in Windows XP Professional, follow these steps:

1. Double-click My Computer on the desktop.
2. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
3. Click the View tab, and then select the Use Simple File Sharing (Recommended) check box to turn on Simple File Sharing. (Clear this check box to turn off this feature.)

Otherwise, you may be out of luck.

Mike

 

MM,

Thanks. A friend of mine is going to convert my wife's computer to XP-Pro vs Home which will match mine. Then I'll try what you suggest.

 

You're welcome. I hope it works for you. Let us know how it comes out.

Mike

 

If I read between the lines correctly, it sounds as if you want to be able to run (from your machine) programs that are installed on her machine. Sorry to inform you - if this interpretation is correct, it isn't going to work. You can set up a mapped drive to a data share on her machine if you have the same program installed on your machine but that would then put your work in a given program on her machine instead of yours.

It might be helpful if you give us a little more information regarding just exactly what it is you are trying to accomplish.

 

Rockster,

I just want us both to be able to Read each other's Program files and sub folders in order to copy/paste within those folders as needed like we can do with the c: root folders.

 

The following is phrased better than I could do it. Please be aware of the potential security issues should you elect to follow this procedure.

 

Rockster,

Much thanks, my wife's computer is currently in the shop for repair/replacement. We'll definitely try your suggestion shortly and report back.

Rob