Can't access Windows 8.1 desktop from Windows 7 laptop

Hi....new here.
I finally replaced my old windows xp desktop with a newer 8.1 desktop (was my {deceased} brother's).....I've got it up and running and connected to the internet. I installed a wireless printer and can access that from my win 7 laptop, my android tablet and my android phone. What I CAN'T do is access my c drive and any other folders on my win 8.1 machine from my win 7 laptop. I can see the computer in the network map.....I can see the 'c' folder, and the 'users' folder, (and the printer) but when I double click on the c folder I get this: "Windows cannot access \\Steven-gateway\c" (my desktop) ...it says "you do not have permission to access {that folder}. Contact your network admin to request access.
I've clicked on about everything I can find and I can't get it fixed. I've probably got something really messed up. Any and all help appreciated.

You need to take ownership of the other user's account. If he used any type of encryption (ie Bitlocker), you would need to know his password to get into his user account.

well, I thought I did....can you be more specific.....I'm not computer illiterate,, but at this point my brain is fried from trying so many things. I knew his password to the windows 8 machine....I got in, and I named that windows 8 desktop 'stevens-desktop', just as a memorial (sentimental). So, help this dummy figure this out. I might need step by step. On the win 8 machine, when I click on 'c\users\, I see: All Users, Default, Default User, Default.migrated, Janice (that's me), Public

I see you marked this issue as solved....it is NOT.....thanks anyway.

Janice, you must of check marked or clicked solved, I asure you he did not..

Most networked PC's do not share drive C

Public folders , yes
personal folder, maybe
printers, yes

But if you wish to share drive C

View attachment 57772

Reboot all networked PC's and see if you now can access C