Windows Configuration: What You Have to Set Up

Folder and Share Name

Before configuring the computer, a folder for the company data must be created.

  • Open your C:\ drive.
  • Right-click a blank area in the window, select New and then Folder.
  • You should use a folder name that is relevant to the company data.
  • Set up the folder's security and sharing properties to allow your users to access the folder.

Note: If you work with more than one company data file, you should create a unique folder for each file for security purposes. Do not place multiple files in one folder that is shared with different users.

Depending on your Windows operating system, use the following configuration information so your computer or server can securely share company data to Sage 50 Accounting users.

To enable File and Print Sharing:

  1. Right-click the Start button.
  2. Click Search.
  3. Type Control Panel.
  4. Open the Control Panel.
  5. Click Network and Internet.
  6. Click Network and Sharing Center.
  7. Click Change advanced sharing settings on the left.
  8. Click Private.
  9. If network discovery is off, click Turn on network discovery.
  10. If file and printer sharing is off, click Turn on file and printer sharing.
  11. Click Save Changes. If necessary, enter the administrator password or provide confirmation.
  12. Right-click the file or folder that you want to share, click Show more options, click Give access to, and then click Specific People.
  13. 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.

Note: The previous information applies to all versions of Windows 10 and 11. For further information, consult our online knowledgebase or your Windows documentation.

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 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. Right-click the network icon in the taskbar, and then select Open Network and Sharing Center.
  3. Click Change advanced sharing settings.
  4. Click Turn on network discovery.
  5. Select Turn on file and printer sharing, and then click Save changes.

To create a user account:

  1. On the Start menu, select Administrative Tools, and then Active Directory Users and Computers.
  2. Right-click the domain where you want to add the user and then choose New > User from the menu.
  3. Enter the user's information and click Next.
  4. Enter a password and confirm it.

    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. Specify the password options that you want to apply and click Next.
  6. Verify the account information and click Finish.

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 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, select Settings and then Network & Internet.
  3. Select Network and Sharing Centre.
  4. Click Change advanced sharing settings.
  5. Click Turn on network discovery.
  6. Select Turn on file and printer sharing, and then click Save changes.

To create a user account:

  1. On the Start menu, select Administrative Tools, and then Active Directory Users and Computers.
  2. Right-click the domain where you want to add the user and then choose New > User from the menu.
  3. Enter the user's information and click Next.
  4. Enter a password and confirm it.

    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. Specify the password options that you want to apply and click Next.
  6. Verify the account information and click Finish.

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.