How do I share files/printers with XP?

I'm new to Windows 8 and I am having trouble getting my Windows 8 PC to connect to my XP machine. They are on the same workgroup and wireless network, however I cannot see the other machine on the network. Is there anyway for them to connect, anymore? I just want to share files around my house and my printer which is connected to my XP machine.

You will need to go into the Network and Sharing Center on the Windows 8 machine then turn on Network Discovery and File and Printer Sharing. You should also turn on Public sharing while you are there. You should be able to see those machines on under Network provided they are in the same Workgroup.

Once you get the machines to see each other you can enable sharing on the sharing tab of the C:>Users>Public folder on both machines. This is the preferred method of sharing as the other networked machines can only get to folders that you put into the Public folders.

Getting old printers to work with Windows 8 would in most cases require that the printer has drivers for Windows 8.

If you require access to the entire User folder then make sure on the Sharing tab that sharing is enabled for the User folder and you may need to go into the Security tab of the User folder >Edit>Add>Type Everyone and save. I can give you more details on this if you have any problems.