Enabling File and Printer Sharing In Windows Vista

By default File and Print Sharing is disabled on Windows Vista. Many times file and printer sharing is also needed for remote administration tools that access the admin$ share. Enable File and Print sharing by following these steps:

Step 1:

• Go to Control Panel -> Network and Sharing Connections
• Click on View Status of the Local Area Connection

Step 2:

• Click on Properties

Step 3:

• Make sure that following services, protocols are enabled and set up properly.

Note: Default configuration is recommended.

• Minimum Components
• Client for Microsoft Networks
• File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks
• Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)
• Recommended Services, if supported
• QoS Packet Scheduler
• Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)
• Vista Components
• Link-Layer Topology Discovery Mapper I/O Driver
• Link-Layer Topology Discovery Responder

Step 4:
After configuring the Local Connection Properties, proceed by

• Enable File Sharing
• Proceed to the Windows Firewall

Step 5:

• Click on Change Settings

Step 6:

• A. Make sure that the Firewall is Enabled and the Don't Allow Exceptions is Disabled unless the computer is located within an unsecured network.
• B. Click on the Exceptions Tab when finished

Step 7:

• Enable File and Printer Sharing on the Exception List.

Now your machine will have file and printer sharing accessible through the firewall

Enabling the $admin share

If you are interested in getting the admin$ share to work there is one more step:
Open registry editor
Browse to the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

You will need to create a new DWORD value called:

LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy

Set it to 1, and reboot.