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- Windows Server 2008/2003/2000/XP/NT Administrator Knowledge Base
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        Display the Sharing Tab in XP Folder Properties

Section(s): Network
Published on Apr 20, 2004.
Last Modified on Apr 20, 2004.
Last Modified by Wayne Maples.
Rated 2.3 out of 5 based on 24 votes.

In Windows NT and Windows 2000, to share a folder you can use Explorer or My Computer and right-click on a folder and you had access to a Sharing tab. Not in Windows XP. That simple functionality is turned off by default. To turn it back on:

Click Start
Click My Computer
Click Tools menu option
Click Folder Options
Click View tab
In Advanced settings dialog, at the bottom:
Uncheck Use simple file sharing (Recommended)

Now when you right-click a folder in Windows XP, you will see a Sharing option. Windows XP Home Edition supports only Simple File Sharing. Windows XP Professional supports both sharing models.