I’m trying to figure out a way to share a folder on a home network without sharing it with the whole world.

Basically, I have a wireless router which has a broadband connection. Connected wirelessly to the router is a Windows XP Home edition desktop and a VIsta Home Basic edition laptop. I want to share a folder on the desktop so as to allow access from the laptop. I am presuming that I need to take precautions here with the shared folder on the basis that it could be accessable via the internet by persons unknown.

The solution therefore most likely would involve password protecting access to the share somehow.

I’ve figured out that I can set permissions on a share (in XP home edition) by going into safe mode. At present though I seem to be able to access the share regardless. Another thing I don’t understand here either is that I can only set permissions for users of the desktop – the locations list shows only the desktop computer name.

If anyone knows how to achieve this I would be very grateful to learn how.