shared by default??

way2peace

New Member
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9
one question, is the personal folder shared by default? that is, Computer ---> Local Disk C ---> Users ---> username, is the username folder automatically shared on a new windows 8 laptop?

i checked the properties of the username folder and under the Sharing tab it states under my username that the folder is Shared,

why is that?? can anyone just accept my files automatically??

thanks!!!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
Yes the C:>Users folder is shared by default. If they didn't do this then you would be here complaining that sharing doesn't work.

You can un-share the C:>Users folder, by right clicking the Users folder and choosing Properties, then click on the Sharing tab and uncheck it, hit apply etc.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
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good to hear!!

but could you elaborate a bit on the second part, how exactly do you un-share it, i don't see any thing i could uncheck under the sharing tab,

thanks again!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
good to hear!!

but could you elaborate a bit on the second part, how exactly do you un-share it, i don't see any thing i could uncheck under the sharing tab,

thanks again!

You also need to click the Advanced Sharing button, you will see the check mark there, not too hard to find.
 

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
Capture.PNG

the sharing under the advanced sharing tab is initially unchecked,
but the status is by default shared under my username (j),

so what exactly is the status of my folder? shared or not? could anyone see my files?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
View attachment 16456

the sharing under the advanced sharing tab is initially unchecked,
but the status is by default shared under my username (j),

so what exactly is the status of my folder? shared or not? could anyone see my files?

You appear to be at C:>Users>Username folder, by default it's shared from the C:>Users folder.

Remember if the C:>Users folders is shared out then any folder that resides in the C:>Users folder is also shared, that is why your C:>Users>Username folder appears as shared.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
you are absolutely correct!!

now no one can see me files!!

now how do i endorse u?



ps. one additional question, why exactly do they have the "Users" folder shared in the first place?!! does Microsoft want us all to share our thoughts with it?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
you are absolutely correct!!

now no one can see me files!!

now how do i endorse u?



ps. one additional question, why exactly do they have the "Users" folder shared in the first place?!! does Microsoft want us all to share our thoughts with it?

It's the easiest and safest way to control sharing of all User folders. If the User folder wasn't shared by default then everyone would be asking why certain folders residing in the Users folder aren't shareable.

Keep in mind that once you uncheck the sharing option of the Users folder, it will override any permission settings for any of the sub-folders so it's best to leave it shared out then "Stop Sharing" the subfolders if you need to. You can enable or disable any of the Users folders for sharing very easily this way.

The picture below illustrates how to stop sharing any of the folders which reside in the C:>Users folder.

Click on the User name where the Red part is blocked out in Windows Explorer in order to get to these sharing options.
 

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Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
The security settings of your user folder should only allow access with your accounts user and and password over a network. It's shared, but no one can view your files unless you change the security preferences.

By default, it's locked up, but shared so that only you can access it. Un-sharing it will change nothing other than that YOU will not be able to remotely access your files. Which is fine if you're not fussed with networking.

Security and permission preferences are your friend.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro Pack x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    JohnOfE Special
    Other Info
    Too many systems and combinations!
The security settings of your user folder should only allow access with your accounts user and and password over a network. It's shared, but no one can view your files unless you change the security preferences.

By default, it's locked up, but shared so that only you can access it. Un-sharing it will change nothing other than that YOU will not be able to remotely access your files. Which is fine if you're not fussed with networking.

Security and permission preferences are your friend.



By default the C:>Users folder is in fact shared out. I've already mentioned this at the start of the thread.

With the default setting the C:>Users folder is shared out with all Windows 7 or 8 machines in the local Workgroup.

Anyone connecting with a Windows 7 or 8 machine, to the same network with the same Workgroup and default gateway will have access to those files. Yes I have tested this many times and there is no doubt about it.

You can also lock out any machine from accessing the C:>Users folder by simply joining a Homegroup. This effectively creates a Domain which excludes other Workgroup machines from gaining access to Homegroup machines unless you specifically share a folder with "Everyone" using the Homegroup style share settings per the screen shot in post #8 you would choose Specific People then Everyone.

Once you are joined to a Homegroup than those other machines in the Workgroup will not have access to the C:>Users folder unless you specifically choose specific people then Add Everyone "Post #8", which instantly shares that folder outside the Homegroup. This is how you can avoid messing with the NTFS security permission settings.

This is the precise reason why there is a separate area for sharing specific Users folders outside the Homegroup, "highlighted in red post #8" which you can share or not share with Everyone as desired.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
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