Solved Best way to share with other users on same PC?

I have one Win 8.1 computer that husband and I share. Also a printer and two external backup drives. I have an account as owner/administrator, and have created a standard user account for daily non-admin use that I changed permissions for to be able to read/write each of the folders under This PC. But, the new account can't see them.

I've been reading about "Public Folders" and "Homegroup" but really don't know what way to go. Do I need a Homegroup because of the printer/external drives? Or should I use Public Folders? If Folders, where exactly would I save new items, like a document or song? Would they have to be saved in the User/Public folders and then automatically show up in a matching folder in the Library, but not really saved there?

I'm technically fairly illiterate, and my husband is whatever is worse than that...so I want it to be as easy to share as possible.

I guess, in a nutshell, I'm just not understanding this part of 8.1.

I have one Win 8.1 computer that husband and I share.

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Hello way2ob2se,

After reading your post, I'm still a bit lost as to what you primary goal is when establishing two accounts in your current situation. Specifically, do you want to limit/restrict access to one account because it seems like you are try to give full access to the second account. Now, if my assumptions are correct, then why not just share the same account? Please understand that I am not trying to undermine your intentions but right now I'm just not understanding the logic. So, maybe you could try and reword it; however, if you think you have explained your issue clearly, then please wait for additional responses. For the record, my wife and I use the same acount on our single PC. Good luck in getting the response that your are looking for.

my2cents

2-cents, I really appreciate the response. Let me try to clarify (and please let me know if what I'm aiming for isn't the right thing to do).

My new machine came with Win8 (now 8.1). I copied folders/files from my old Win7 machine and pasted them in the Documents, Pictures, Music, etc., folders on 8.1. If I log in with my original owner/admin account, everything seems fine.

Then, I created a new "standard" account for everyday use. I don't want the machine to always be logged in as Admin, because when hubby gets frustrated he's a multiple-button pusher without knowing what he's doing, or remembering what he did. I wanted this new user to be able to see/read/write all those same files (documents, pictures, music and such), but not be able to do any real damage to the system, like uninstalling or deleting system stuff. I went through the permissions of each folder, and granted the user account permissions at the root of each of those folders (under This PC - not C or D or anything like that) ... but the standard account still can't see them.

So, I wondered if I needed to be in a homegroup or move everything to Public Folders for the standard account to use them. There's also something I'm also unfamiliar with in "taking ownership." I'm assuming I don't want the standard account to "own" any of these folders/files. Right?

I'm looking for the two of us to share a standard account, and only use the password or run-as Admin account when necessary. We already have our documents in a file structure where we have His, Hers, and Ours folders. This "structure" for lack of a better word, worked great in Win7. But in Win8.1 I just can't seem to get this set up right. I'm probably missing something clearly obvious, but it sure isn't obvious to me at this point.

Thanks so much for your patience.

Hello,

Just both you use the standard account, and use admin only when doing admin tasks. Additionally, you can still use the admin password on the standard account when doing anything through the elevation prompt, so you don't even need to log off.

In other words, you can install programs, etc. by just using the admin password while maintaining the additional security of the standard account (and there is a bit of security added when using a more restricted account vs a full admin).

hope this helps

Read this: Why use a standard user account instead of an administrator account?

Hi way2ob2se,

Thanks for that rewrite! now I can clearly understand why you want to establish two unique accounts. I also see that DustSailor has already started to assist you, so please continue to work one-on-one with him and he'll get you through your issue. Good luck and thanks for that rewrite again!

my2cents

^ Your answers are as good as mine. I'm just offering another option that might fit well with the problem. Keep it up! If anything, I should be listening to you. You've got a higher ranking than I do anyway

And I'm not always around these parts.

Take care, mate!

Thanks to both of you for your help. I'm fine with the two user account set-up. My problem remains: how can I allow the standard user to see/read/write/save documents, pictures, music, etc., that are currently under This PC. I've gone in as Admin and added the account with these permissions to the root of each, but that didn't work. The standard account still can't see them.

Do I need both accounts to be in a "Homegroup" to share the files?

Do I need to move all the files to the Public directory to share the files?

Am I missing a better option? I'm trying to make this idiot-proof when I'm the idiot. aaarrrgghhhh

Here are some ways to share: Share files and folders - Microsoft Windows Help

You could use the public folders if you wanted, instead. Can make it easy to get to with shortcuts from the desktop, etc.

Thanks for the info. I found out that I'd been missing a step, which I found in the link you provided, under the Troubleshooting section. I really appreciate it!

Thanks for the reply