Below are instructions for enabling the feature if you wish to share files and printer access with your network, but you can also follow along to disable file and printer sharing if that concerns you.
The steps for enabling or disabling file and printer sharing are slightly different for Windows 10/8/7, Windows Vista and Windows XP, so pay close attention to the differences when they’re called out.
Enable or Disable File and Printer Sharing in Windows 10, 8, and 7
Open the Control Panel. The quickest method is to open the Run dialog box with the Win + R keyboard combination and enter the command control and press Enter. Select Network and Internet if you’re viewing the categories in Control Panel, or skip down to Step 3 if you just see a bunch of Control Panel applet icons. Open Network and Sharing Center. From the left pane, choose Change advanced sharing settings. Listed here are the different networks you’re using. If you want to disable file and printer sharing on the public network, open that section. Otherwise, choose a different one. Find the File and Printer Sharing section of that network profile and adjust the option, selecting either Turn on file and printer sharing or Turn off file and printer sharing. Some other sharing options might be available here too, depending on your version of Windows. These might include options for public folder sharing, network discovery, HomeGroup and file sharing encryption. Choose Save changes.
Turn On or Off File and Printer Sharing in Windows Vista and XP
Open Control Panel. Choose Network and Internet (Vista) or Network and Internet Connections (XP) if you’re in category view or skip down to Step 3 if you see the Control Panel applet icons. In Windows Vista, choose Network and Sharing Center. In Windows XP, choose Network Connections and then skip down to Step 5. From the left pane, choose Manage network connections. Right-click the connection that should have printer and file sharing turned on or off, and select Properties. In the Networking (Vista) or General (XP) tab of the connection’s properties, check or uncheck the box next to File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks. Click OK to save the changes.
Listed here are the different networks you’re using. If you want to disable file and printer sharing on the public network, open that section. Otherwise, choose a different one.
Some other sharing options might be available here too, depending on your version of Windows. These might include options for public folder sharing, network discovery, HomeGroup and file sharing encryption.
In Windows XP, choose Network Connections and then skip down to Step 5.
