| Since the release of Windows XP, Microsoft has | | | | - My Network Places |
| made it very easy to share files, folders and | | | | - Setup Network for Home or Small Office |
| peripherals over a home network. In a matter of | | | | This will get you to the first step in the network wizard. |
| minutes you can connect all your home desktops and | | | | As mentioned to learn what each step means and |
| laptops together and create a easy to use secure | | | | what you should enter, please follow the link at the |
| home network. Before we begin, there are a few | | | | bottom of this page under Appendix A. |
| items that are required to create a home network. | | | | Sharing Files and Folders |
| Items needed for a home network | | | | Once you have ran the network wizard on all |
| - Wireless or Wired Router: This is the main | | | | computers you are ready to share files on the |
| component to a home network. This is the central | | | | network. Once again, Microsoft makes it very easy to |
| point where all computers in your home will connect to. | | | | share files over the network. For the purpose of this |
| This is also useful if you want to access the computer | | | | article I will be use "My Documents" as the folder that I |
| simultaneously on more then one computer in the | | | | want to share. If you wanted to share all files and |
| house. | | | | sub-folders within my documents you could perform |
| - Ethernet Adapter in each computer: Most computers | | | | the following steps: |
| today come standard with this, however it is vital that | | | | - Click Start |
| your computer has an Ethernet adapter either wired or | | | | - Right Click on My Documents |
| wireless in order to connect to the network. | | | | - Click Properties |
| In essense, these are the two components required to | | | | - Find the "Sharing" Tab |
| connect multiple computers together. Once you have | | | | - Click on the "Share this Folder" option |
| verified that you have these items you can start | | | | - Provide it with a descriptive name |
| setting up the network. | | | | - Select Apply then OK |
| Setting up the home network | | | | These are the basic steps required to shared the My |
| For the purpose of this article, I will not be explaining | | | | Documents folder on your home network. Please |
| the exact steps required to setup a network, however | | | | keep in mind that there are other steps that you should |
| I will point you in the right direction. For a full detailed | | | | perform such as setting up permissions to ensure |
| walkthrough of the home networking process please | | | | security, however they are not required to share files. |
| refer to Appendix A at the bottom of this article, for a | | | | If you wish to learn more about securing your network, |
| link to my website. | | | | please follow the link under Appendix A. |
| As mentioned Windows XP makes it very simple to | | | | In summary, this was a quick overview of how simple |
| setup your home network. Microsoft has added a | | | | sharing files could be between your personal |
| feature to every Operating System called the network | | | | computers. I am a big fan of setting this up for many |
| wizard. This wizard walks you through step by step | | | | reasons, one in particular being that when you save |
| asking you various questions about your home, to | | | | your personal data such as pictures and music on |
| setup your network. The wizard breaks down into | | | | more then one computer, it takes away alot of the risk |
| roughly 6 different steps, and once you have | | | | of losing your valuable information. Some people have |
| completed the steps you will be asked to restart your | | | | a fear that other people can access your home |
| computer. Upon restart, your computer will be on the | | | | network, and this is true, however if you read my |
| network. Note: This step must be ran on each | | | | article on home network security I promise that this will |
| computer you want to add to to your network. | | | | no longer be an issue. Once again thank you for your |
| You can access the Network Wizard by: | | | | time, and look forward to helping you with another |
| - Click Start | | | | computer need in the future. |