Windows Configuration: What You Have to Set Up

To enable File and Print Sharing:

1. Windows 7: On the Start menu, point to the Control Panel, Network and Internet, and then select Network and Sharing Center.
   
   Windows 8, 8.1, and 10: Right-click the Start button, point to the Control Panel, Network and Internet, and then select Network and Sharing Center.
2. Click Change advanced sharing settings.
3. If network discovery is off, click Turn on network discovery, and then click Save Changes. If necessary, enter the administrator password or provide confirmation.
4. If file and printer sharing is off, click Turn on file and printer sharing, and then click Save Changes. If necessary, enter the administrator password or provide confirmation.
5. Right-click the file or folder that you want to share, click Share with, click Advanced sharing..., and then click Specific People.
6. Select the Sage 50 Accounting users that should be able to access the company data, and then click Share.

You may also have to ensure that Windows Firewall isn't blocking File and Printer Sharing.

1. Windows 7: On the Start menu, point to the Control Panel, System and Security, and then select WindowsFirewall.
   
   Windows 8, 8.1 and 10: Right-click the Start button, point to the Control Panel, System and Security, and then select Windows Firewall.
2. Click Allow a program or feature through Windows Firewall. If necessary, enter the administrator password or provide confirmation.

3. In the Allowed programs and features list, make sure the File and Printer Sharing check box is selected, and then click OK.

If you store your company's data on a Windows server, you need to enable File and Print Sharing and configure your Network and Sharing Centre settings. You also have to create a user account so that users can access the folder where your data is stored.

To configure Network and Sharing Centre settings:

1. On the Windows server, login as the administrator.
2. On the Start menu, point to Control Panel, Network and Internet, and then select Network and Sharing Centre.
3. Open the Sharing and Discovery drop down, and then select NetworkDirectory.
4. (Optional), If Network Discovery is off, select it, click Turn on network discovery, and then click Apply.
5. (Perform this step once windows has established a network connection to the Internet). In the Set Network property sheet, select Private, and then click OK.
6. Open the Password Protected Sharing drop down, select Turn on password protected sharing, and then click Apply.
7. Open the File Sharing drop down, select Turn on file sharing, and then click Apply.

To enable File and Print Sharing:

1. On the Start menu, point to Control Panel, Security, and then select Windows Firewall.
2. Click Change Settings.
3. On the Exceptions tab, click File and Print Sharing, and then click OK.

To create a user account:

1. On the Start menu, point to Program, Administrative Tools, and then click Computer Management.
2. In the Systems Tools folder, expand Local Users and Groups, and then select Users.
3. On the Action menu, select New User.
4. Enter a user name, description and password.
   

   Note: The password must be a minimum of six characters, and must have one capital letter and one character that is not a letter.

5. Clear the User must change password at next logon check box.
6. Check the Password never expires check box, click Create, and then click Close.

Accessing Data on a Windows Server From a Client Machine 

If your network is set up as a Workgroup (peer to peer network) or Domain: 

• Map the network share path to a drive letter on the client machine. Refer to Microsoft's online help for instructions on how to do so.
• Login to the server using an account that is defined on the server.

If you store your company's data on a Windows Small Business server, you need to enable File and Print Sharing and configure your Network and Sharing Centre settings. You also have to create a user account so that users can access the folder where your data is stored.

To configure Network and Sharing Centre settings:

1. On the Windows server, login as the administrator.
2. On the Start menu, point to Control Panel, Network and Internet, and then select Network and Sharing Centre.
3. Open the Sharing and Discovery drop down, and then select NetworkDirectory.
4. (Optional), If Network Discovery is off, select it, click Turn on network discovery, and then click Apply.
5. (Perform this step once windows has established a network connection to the Internet). In the Set Network property sheet, select Private, and then click OK.
6. Open the Password Protected Sharing drop down, select Turn on password protected sharing, and then click Apply.
7. Open the File Sharing drop down, select Turn on file sharing, and then click Apply.

To enable File and Print Sharing:

1. On the Start menu, point to Control Panel, Security, and then select Windows Firewall.
2. Click Change Settings.
3. On the Exceptions tab, click File and Print Sharing, and then click OK.

To create a user account:

1. On the Start menu, point to Program, Administrative Tools, Active Directory, and then click Users and Computers.
2. On the Action menu, select New User.
3. Enter a user name, description and password.
   

   Note: The password must be a minimum of six characters, and must have one capital letter and one character that is not a letter.

4. Clear the User must change password at next logon check box.
5. Check the Password never expires check box, click Create, and then click Close.

Accessing Data on a Windows Server From a Client Machine 

If your network is set up as a Domain: 

• Map the network share path to a drive letter on the client machine. Refer to Microsoft's online help for instructions on how to do so.
• Login to the server using an account that is defined on the server.