File Sharing between Macs and Windows PCs

Requires Mac OS 10.2 +

With the advent of OS 10.2, it is possible to integrate Macintoshes into a Windows Network Neighborhood without additional software.

To assign a "Windows" workgroup to a Macintosh:

1. Open "Directory Access" in the Applications/Utilities folder.
2. Click the padlock icon to become Administrator.
3. Select SMB from the Services list.
4. Click Configure.
5. Select the workgroup name from the list, or type a new one (preferably the last name of the lab's principal investigator).
6. Click OK, then Apply.

This will allow access to Windows shares on the Macintosh. Sharing the other direction (accessing Mac folders on Windows) requires further configuration, as there is no automatic "guest" account for the Macintosh folders. To allow access to Mac shares from Windows:

1. Open System Preferences
2. Choose "Accounts" from the View menu
3. Select (or create) user that will be allowed remote access (e.g., "labmember")
4. Edit User
5. Check the box for "Allow Windows login"
6. If prompted to reset password, click OK
7. Enter a general-use password for access to this Macintosh
8. Save