|Sharing a file, folder, or printer means that other network users can access it. Because file sharing increases the risk of unauthorized access to your computer, most operating systems require you to make some global sharing setting, then specify the particular files or folders you want to share.|4710|3855|2085|3525||0|0|0|0|
|Global sharing settings specify the general ways in which your files and devices can be shared with other network users.|6270|3230|1245|2505||0|0|4|0|
|With file sharing enabled, files and folders on this computer can be designated as accessible to other computers on the local network.|7600|6090|1560|2505||0|0|1|0|
|Windows Vista provides a set of public folders that are designed to hold files you want to share with other network users.|7905|6130|1245|2505||0|0|3|0|
|You can allow anyone on the network to open, change, and create files in the public folders. This option is useful when you want other people to collaborate on projects by editing documents, supplying photos, or sharing music.|3945|3995|2250|2505||0|0|4|0|
|You can allow anyone on your network to open, but not alter files in the public folders. This option is useful, for example, when you'd like to allow people to view some photos or documents, but you don't want anyone to change file contents.|3930|3770|2250|2505||0|0|4|0|
|If you have a printer connected to your computer that other network users need to access, you could turn printer sharing on. However, it is safest to leave this option off if you don't have to share your printer.|7945|5265|1695|2775||0|0|1|1|
|If you've granted access to folders or printers, you can allow access only to people who have Windows accounts and passwords set up on your computer. This options offers good security, but at the expense of the extra work required to make sure everyone sharing your files has an account on your computer.|7825|5100|2235|3135||0|0|1|1|
|With the global sharing settings in place, you can adjust sharing permission for specific files and folders. Let's look at Sarah Smith's files.|4545|2010|1260|2865||0|0|0|0|
|Remember that Windows Vista uses public folders as the main place to store files you want to share. Sarah should use these folders whenever possible.|3775|6165|1260|2865||0|0|1|0|
|Suppose, however, that Sarah has a folder containing lots of scanned documents, photos, and videos pertaining to her family history. She created it in her personal folders because she didn't initially think she would want to share it.|6205|3525|1755|3420||0|0|1|0|
|Co-owner permission would allow the Guest account to view, change, add, and delete any files in the Family History folder.|4250|5130|1380|2325||0|0|2|0|
|Contributor permission would allow the Guest account to view and add files, but they can change and delete only those files they create.|4160|4845|1620|2415||0|0|2|0|
|After looking at all the options for sharing under Windows Vista, remember that you can make global settings for sharing folders, files, and printers. If possible, use Public folders to share stored files. If you need to provide access to private folders, it is most secure to limit the people who are allowed access.|4560|3225|2310|3480||0|0|0|0|
