Can't share anything in My Documents

[euchrid]

I'm having a very odd problem, which I hope that someone here can help me with. Most likely it's just a checked or unchecked setting somewhere, but I'm going crazy trying to find it.

I can't share any of the folders in My Documents. Using Simple File Sharing the 'Share this folder on the network' option is greyed out, and without Simple File Sharing on the entire Allow column in Security is greyed.

The other folders still share normally, so it's not a huge problem, but I'd still like to know what's going on. I'm running XP, this is an Administrator account with a password on it.

Any help is very much appreciated!

[talldude123]

Normally, to share information, you have to drag it to "All Users -> Documents" or "Shared Documents".

You probably have your documents folder set to private (this option comes up when you set a password for your user account).

[euchrid]

Removing the password from the account didn't change anything, and when I put it on again I wasn't prompted to set any sort of privacy levels.

Nevertheless, I think that this is the right track, because I used to be able to share these files and the password is the only major change that I can think of that I've made recently.

[Law]

Right click on "My Document" go to sharing tab and uncheck "make this folder private" if you could.

[euchrid]

Nope, 'Make this folder private' is checked and greyed out.

[Law]

Make this folder private is greyed out?

In some cases, the checkbox may be enabled but grayed out, thus the user is unable to deselect the option. ( Fig 1 explains the symptom.) Here is a quick way to undo Make this folder private option. Follow these steps:

For Windows XP Professional Edition, disable Simple file sharing:

Click Start, and then click My Computer. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options, and then click the View tab. In the Advanced Settings section, clear the Use simple file sharing (Recommended) check box. Click OK. Then, follow these steps:

* Right-click the folder in question, and choose Properties.
* Click the Security tab.
* Click Add, and type in Administrators, click OK.
* Select Administrators group that you've added now.
* Put a checkmark near Full Control (Allow) in Permissions box.
* Click OK.

For Windows XP Home Edition, you need to start Windows in Safe Mode in order to see the Security tab. Remaining steps are the same.

Once you add Administrators group and give them Full Control for the folder, the Make this Folder Private option is automatically disabled. Level 1 permissions are no longer in action.

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/undoprivate.htm

[euchrid]

Law, you are an absolute life saver. Thank you very much!

[EricB]

Originally posted by Law
Make this folder private is greyed out?

In some cases, the checkbox may be enabled but grayed out, thus the user is unable to deselect the option. ( Fig 1 explains the symptom.) Here is a quick way to undo Make this folder private option. Follow these steps:

For Windows XP Professional Edition, disable Simple file sharing:

Click Start, and then click My Computer. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options, and then click the View tab. In the Advanced Settings section, clear the Use simple file sharing (Recommended) check box. Click OK. Then, follow these steps:

* Right-click the folder in question, and choose Properties.
* Click the Security tab.
* Click Add, and type in Administrators, click OK.
* Select Administrators group that you've added now.
* Put a checkmark near Full Control (Allow) in Permissions box.
* Click OK.

For Windows XP Home Edition, you need to start Windows in Safe Mode in order to see the Security tab. Remaining steps are the same.

Once you add Administrators group and give them Full Control for the folder, the Make this Folder Private option is automatically disabled. Level 1 permissions are no longer in action.

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/undoprivate.htm

you beat me to it. your explanation is more detailed. I was going to say go to safe mode and give it full control with the permissions tab