Enable Filesharing Between Windows Visa, 7 and Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal

This simple tutorial shows you how to enable file sharing between Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal and Windows Vista or 7. When file sharing is enabled, both systems will be able to view and access files and folders remotely from ether machine. Users with accounts on the Ubuntu machine will also be able to access the contents in their home folder remotely.

Getting started:

To get started, logon to Windows and click ‘Start –> search for ‘Network and Sharing Center’



Then click ‘Change advanced sharing setting’



Enable filesharing and save.



Next logon to Ubuntu and click ‘Power –> System Settings’



Then select ‘System –> Ubuntu Software Center’



Next, search for and install ‘Samba’



After installing, go to ‘Power –> System Settings’



Then select ‘System –> Samba’



Next, click ‘Preferences –> Server Settings’



Then type the Workgroup Name, that matches the Windows computers. The default workgroup name in Windows machines is ‘Workgroup’



Next, click ‘Add’ (Green Plus) to begin sharing files and folders.



Then click ‘Access’ tab and grant the users you want to access the shares.



Sharing should be enabled on both systems. If you don’t see shared folders on either system, restart both Windows and Ubuntu machines.

Enjoy!





To find Windows workgroup name, type the command below from the command prompt

net config workstation

If Ubuntu is prompting for passwords and won’t allow you, type this command below in Ubuntu:

smbpasswd -a USERNAME