Network Neighborhood in windows 7

Sharing for computers controlled by different versions of the OS in a networked environment has always been difficult due to differences in operating systems. But thanks to the efforts of Microsoft, the problem gradually began to recede into the background. Today, if you have XP and seven installed in your home or office, you can easily organize a single network for file sharing and collaboration between the two systems without any problems. In this article I will describe what actions should be performed by the one who decided to independently configure the network environment in his company or at home. This also applies to "visibility" problems, when two computers for some reason do not see each other on the network, as well as printing to a network printer.

There is nothing easier than setting up a network environment in windows 7, if all computers are equipped with this OS, thanks to the new development of Microsoft called "Home Group", link them to a single network - a task for the child. But, unfortunately, this technology is not compatible with Windows Vista and XP,

With what it is necessary to begin in an uneasy business of connection of cars under control of XP and windows 7? The network environment must be configured from the "stove", that is, from the name. Verify that all computers on your network are in the same workgroup. By default, this is Workgroup. In some cases, use the alternative name MSHome, or invented by users names. What name for your network you choose - it does not matter, it is important that on all computers it is the same. Only in this scenario your network environment can start working normally.

Where is it checked? In Windows 7, click on "My Computer" with the right mouse button and select the properties, in the opened menu we look at the values of the "Working Group" item. For XP, the path is slightly different, right click on "My Computer", then in the "Properties" menu, then go to "Computer Name" and check the name of the network.

If everything is in order, go ahead.

In the case of the seven, go to Control Panel> Networks> Network Management Center and there click on the menu item "Edit Additional. Sharing settings. "

Then, in the opened menu, you can check the settings and fine-tune the general access to the system. The main point here, for us will be "Connecting File Sharing". You should choose 40 or 56 bit encryption, for compatibility with previous versions instead of 128 bit, which is used in WinDouse 7. It's also possible to remove the password access (tick at the very bottom) and make other, less significant changes.

If everything is done correctly, then, going into the network environment on Windows XP, you will see there a car with Vin 7. As required.

But the organization of a working network is only half the battle, it is often required to connect the entire network to a network printer, usually installed in a single copy.

In order for the printer of a computer running the Windows 7 operating system to become available to all other computers on the network, several simple operations should be performed.

Go to the Control Panel, click on Devices and Printers, then in the opened window select our printer and open it with the right mouse button. In the menu, click on the "Printer Properties" option.

The management tool opens, here you should go to the Access item. In it, tick the "Share this printer" and enter your name, or agree with the proposed system. Because x64 drivers are not compatible with x86 drivers, when you try to connect to your Windows XP X86-based printer, you will require a driver for this OS. You can avoid these problems if you download and install the drivers for XP, then in the "Additional drivers" field you will see a checkmark x86, putting it, you can connect both versions of Windows on the fly.

Now, from any computer on the network, open the network environment and find your machine to which the printer is connected. You will need to see it in the list of folders and devices. Right-click on the printer, and select "Install Printer". Next, clicking on a couple of confirmation windows, you install the printer driver on this computer.