How to allow guest access to shares in XP SP2?

[BG4533]

I am setting up a file server at home and want to give everyone access to certain shares. The system is running XP SP2, all machines are on the same workgroup and are running XP SP1 or SP2 and simple file sharing is disabled.

Regardless of the permissions, accounts that aren't defined on the server are always asked for a username and password. For testing purposes I tried giving "Everyone" full control for the share and the NTFS permissions, but I still get prompted. Simply typing in guest is enought to access the share, but I would rather not have to do that. With my XP SP1 machines the shares are listed, even if I cant access them.

How do I make SP2 allow everyone access without a prompt?

Thanks.

 

[Netopia]

Is this Pro? With Pro I think you HAVE to have a username and password or a valid account.

Joe

 

[TG2]

You have to have the same username setup on the server for all the other computers to access it.

IE the 'John' account on another PC isnt a member of the 'everyone' group on the server because the 'John' account isnt on the server, its on the other PC.

You need to add each username to the server PC, if theres a password on any of the other computers, youll have to have the same exact password on the server machine for that account.

- or you could always go into Control Panel - User accounts - choose a user then go to 'manage my network passwords' (upper left area) and then type in an account and its password. When that computer tries to access the server, it will use that account and password.

 

[Netopia]

Originally posted by: TG2
- or you could always go into Control Panel - User accounts - choose a user then go to 'manage my network passwords' (upper left area) and then type in an account and its password. When that computer tries to access the server, it will use that account and password.

WOW! I didn't realize that was even there! I'm just now adding my log-ins for all my linux / unix (samba) servers and see if it works for them. It will be a nice boon not having to re-enter those passwords everytime I reboot my machine!

I'll post in a few minutes to let you know of the results.

Joe

 

[Netopia]

Works like a CHARM! Thanks!

To any who want to try it, just enter the username as "name of samba server\username" and all is good!

Joe

 

[Netopia]

I just shared this on another board, and almost immediately two people wrote that they had uses for it immediately!

Thanks again,

Joe

 

[vbNetGuy]

I believe there is a feature to allow shared folders for ananymous access as well. Try these steps, if you are using WinXP Pro only!

1. Go to start-> run -> type "gpedit.msc" without the quotes.
2. Expand Computer Configuration
3. Expand Windows Settings
4. Expand Security Settings
5. Expand Local Policies
6. Click on "Security Options"
7. Find the entry "Network Access: Shares that can be accessed anonymously"
8. Type the share name on a separte line
9. Enable the Guest Account

 

[TG2]

Glad it came in handy, I use it at several small shops that have say sbs2003 or 2003 server (or 2000 server) on the server, but the workstations come with XP Home.

just enter the domain account info and they can access the shares AOK. beats them paying for XP Pro licenses and having to reinstall all the apps and configure everything

 

[BG4533]

All of my computers use the same usernames and passwords. I set up a few shares that anyone that visits can access though.

I got everything working by editing the group policy on the server last night. Now anyone that can connect to my network has read only access to a few of my shares (music, TV recordings, movies, etc). I also created one share with read write access for everyone to be able to easily exchange files. Honestly I dont know what change gave me what I needed