Sharing files between a Windows XP PC and a Windows 7 PC over a home network

Anonymous
2009-12-17T00:07:02+00:00

I have files on an old PC running Windows XP that I would like to get onto my new PC running Windows 7. I have been trying to access the files over the network the same way that I always had with XP, by making them available over the network through the folder's properties.

I have made the files available for sharing on the XP computer, but can't figure out how to access them from the new Windows 7 PC.

PC with desired files is running Windows XP

PC to retrieve files is running Windows 7

The XP PC is connected wirelessly through a Linksys router

The W7 PC is connected to the same router via Ethernet cord

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2009-12-20T05:26:10+00:00

Hi All!

This problem occurs if the Link-Layer Topology Discovery (LLTD) Responder component is not installed on the Windows XP-based computer.

In order to establish the connection between the windows 7 machine and XP machine, try downloading and installing the Link-Layer Topology Discovery (LLTD) hotfix. Check the link mentioned below:

Link Layer Topology Discovery (LLTD) Responder (KB922120)

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=4F01A31D-EE46-481E-BA11-37F485FA34EA&displaylang=en

If this doesn't help, can the computer ping each other?

To do this:

  1. Get your computer name (Visit http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Find-your-computer-name for help getting your computer name). In this example we'll be using Computer1 and Computer2as the computer names.
  2. On Computer1, Click Start, type cmd and press Enter
  3. In the black and white command box, type ping Computer2 and press Enter

You should get something similar to the following:

 Pinging <###.###.###.###> with 32 bytes of data:

   Reply from <###.###.###.###>: bytes=32 time=77ms TTL=28

   Reply from <###.###.###.###>: bytes=32 time=80ms TTL=28

   Reply from <###.###.###.###>: bytes=32 time=78ms TTL=28

   Reply from <###.###.###.###>: bytes=32 time=79ms TTL=28

If you get Request Timed Out, there's a something blocking communication between the computers.

Try those steps out and let me know what works!


Cody C

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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Anonymous
2009-12-18T09:04:31+00:00

Easiest way, make both workgroups the same . windows key + pause under computer. Kill password sharing in windows 7. Right mouse on the LAN in Win7, open network / change advanced. Select turn off password sharing. Make sure turn network discovery and file sharing are on.

Create a folder in XP share it. Tick simple file sharing if its off (my computer / tools / folder options / view). . Create a folder in Win 7 right mouse / properties  / sharing / share. Select everyone up the top, change the bottom to read/write. Saves you mucking around with passwords, or entering ips in to get into the other folder. To make things easier if you want to copy install files etc. Go to start/run in win7, type shell:sendto, right mouse / new shortcut. Go to the networked folder add it. Then it'll appear under the send to context menu. Do the same with XP, except type sendto under start/run. And do the same thing

If you dont have any other Win7 pc's kill homegroup. Computer, highlight homegroup / right mouse / change homegroup settings / leave homegroup

If any firewalls are installed on either (besides windows), configure them

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-10-23T19:25:40+00:00

    I had this problem. There was a simple fact that I hadn't figured.

    ->Everything that was connected by LAN was connected to a Network called "Network".

    ->The laptop connected by WiFi was connected to a Network called "virginmedia******" (The asterisks represent numbers I cannot remember). This happened to be my router's SSID.

    What I had to do was go into my router settings and change the SSID to "Network". Every other computer on the network then appeared.

    I know this is a bit late and I didn't read all of the replies. I just hope this may help someone else who's had a similar problem recently.

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-11-03T23:52:24+00:00

    After a long time I discovered another condition, when you have home network the important point is to have same Subnet Mask on all computers. For example PC with 255.0.0.0 doesn´t see PC on 255.255.255.0 .

    Might help someone so desperate like me few minutes ago.

    feo

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-12-06T21:54:46+00:00

    Hi,

    I was trying this earlia, except vice versa, trying to get my win7 files on my winxp computer.

    here is what i did.

    On windows 7 computer, click the internet connection on the taskbar > rightclick on your network >status > details.

    find your ip, will be 192.168.x.x [in most cases].

    Type this into your address bar on windows xp. Note if you cant access the files you need,

    you will need to create a share.

    right click computer > manage

    click shared folders >shares >rightclick > new share.

    follow the wizard complete.

    then when you type the ip into the address bar, it will ask you to login [credentials from win7], once authenticated, double click the share.

    Their.

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