File Sharing without Access Restriction (Public Folder) (Windows Vista)

Return to Overview

In Windows Vista, you can use the special folder named "Public folder," which allows files to be shared with other users on the same network. Using Public folder, you can set up a shared folder without access control.


Sharing the Public folder

  1. On the [Start] menu, select [Control Panel] to open [Control Panel].

  1. Click [Set up file sharing] to open the [Network and Sharing Center] window.


  1. In the [Network and Sharing Center] window, click the downwards arrow next to [Public folder sharing].


  1. Select [Turn on sharing so anyone with network access can open, change, and create files], and then click [Apply].

  • Do not select [Turn on sharing so anyone with network access can open files]. Otherwise, you will not be able to store a document scanned with this machine in a shared folder.
  • If the [User Account Control] dialog box appears in Windows Vista, click [Continue].

  1. Click the downwards arrow next to [Password protected sharing].


  1. Click [Turn off password protected sharing], and then click [Apply].

  • If the [User Account Control] dialog box appears in Windows Vista, click [Continue].

Creating a folder to store a file

You can store a file in the first level of the Public folder. This section describes the procedure for creating a new folder in which to store a file in the Public folder.


  1. Display the Public folder in Windows Explorer, etc.

  1. Create a new folder in the Public folder.

Proceed to "Settings from the Machine (File Sharing)."