I’m having infuriating “access denied” problems for non-public folders on my two notebooks from my desktop. I’ve configured for “everybody full access” on all three PCs, and don’t have ANY problems accessing data on my desktop from either of the two notebooks. One notebook is running Vista Business, the other two computers use XP SP3. Wireless router directly linked to desktop PC. Any clues?

It sounds as if the desktop PC is properly shared on the network while the two laptops are not though it could also be a firewall issue. Let me get this straight: the laptops can view data stored on the desktop, but the desktop cannot view data stored on the laptops, correct?. Also, you say the folders are “non-public” so we’ll need to consider that as well.

Double-Check Vista Network Configuration

First, let’s look at the setup of your Vista laptop. Go to the Start button, choose Network and then click on the Network and Sharing Center. Make sure that Network Discovery and File Sharing are both turned on. In addition, go into the Windows Firewall and click the Exceptions tab. Make sure that File and Printer Sharing is enabled.

Double-Check Your Firewall Settings

If you are using a third party firewall, it’s possible that the LAN connections are being restricted. For example, the laptop may be able to view the desktop if the desktop is not blocking it. However, the laptop’s firewall may be blocking the desktop from accessing the laptop. Check the documentation for the various firewalls installed on your computers.

Sharing Folders

Windows Vista comes with some preconfigured Public folders where you can drag and drop files that you wish to share across the network. Since the non-public folders are not sharing, but the public ones are, it sounds as if you can access the laptops okay which rules out a firewall blocking or router error. So, let’s focus on the folders that you want to share.

To share a folder, you right-click it and choose Share and enter a share name. You’ve likely already done so and you have also worked with the permissions. However, there are two sets of permissions to consider: the share permissions and the security permissions. Right-click the folder that you are having trouble accessing from the other computers and choose Properties. Click the Sharing tab followed by Advanced Sharing. Click Permissions. Make sure that Everyone is highlighted and that all checkmarks are checked (Full Control, Change, and Read). Click OK until you get back to the dialog box.

Now, click the Security tab and make sure that the permissions there are not restricting access. If so, edit these restrictions to allow full access for Everyone.

Same User Account Names

Many solutions I’ve seen addressing problems like this advise setting up duplicate user names on all machines and then setting the folder’s ownership to that name. Theoretically, if you’re signed in as the administrator, you shouldn’t need to do this, but if the other tips don’t work, it’s worth a try.

These are a few thoughts that might help with this trick access denied error.

Celeste Stewart | April 24th, 2009
Tags: access denied, non-public folders, wireless networking
Categories: Networking

You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.