With HomeGroup, two Windows computers can connect to each other and share files and other resources. You cannot add a Mac OS X computer to your Homegroup, but you can set up file sharing from any computer. To do this, you need to set up sharing on your Windows computer and on your Mac OS X computer.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: File Sharing (Windows for Mac OS X)
Step 1. Turn on file sharing on your Windows computer
A Mac OS X computer cannot be added to the HomeGroup on a Windows computer. Therefore, you need to share the folders on your Windows computer.
- Open the Start menu and type “Network” (without quotes) in the search bar to open the Network and Sharing Center window.
- Click the Change Advanced Sharing Settings link.
- Check the box next to Enable File and Printer Sharing.
Step 2. On your Windows computer, find the folder you want to share
You will exchange files through a folder, so find the folder from which you will exchange files with your Mac OS X computer. Any folders stored in the selected folder will also be shared.
Step 3. Right click on the folder and select Properties
The Properties window will open.
Step 4. Click on the "Access" tab
The sharing options for the selected folder will open.
Step 5. Click "Share"
A new window will display a list of users who should be allowed access.
Step 6. Open the dropdown menu and click All> Add
This will open up access to the folder for any user who is connected to your network.
Step 7. Change the permission levels
By default, other users can open the shared folder and copy files from it. To give other users the ability to copy files to the folder, as well as edit files, open the Permission Level menu and select Read / Write.
Step 8. Click "Share" to open the shared folder
All subfolders will also be shared, so this process may take a few seconds for very large folders.
Step 9. Open a Finder window on your Mac OS X computer
If both Mac OS X and Windows computers are on the same network, the Windows computer appears under General in the left sidebar.
Step 10. Click on the Windows computer and log in
You will be prompted to sign in when you click the Windows computer icon in the Finder window. Choose one of two options: "Guest" and "Registered user".
- Select the Guest option to be able to copy the file from the folder and open it.
- Select the "Registered user" option to be able to copy the file from / to the folder, edit and delete it. You will be prompted to log in with your Windows user account.
Step 11. Review the shared files
Once logged in, you will be able to view all the files and folders that are in the shared folder. Shared files can be opened, edited, copied, and deleted, which means they can be treated the same way as files on your computer.
Step 12. Share more folders
Repeat this process to share other folders on your Windows computer. If you need to share folders on your Mac OS X computer, read the next section.
Part 2 of 2: File Sharing (Mac OS X for Windows)
Step 1. Open the Apple menu and choose System Preferences
Once you access the folders on your Windows computer from your Mac OS X computer, you can share the folders on your computer.
Step 2. In the "System Preferences" menu, click "Sharing"
The system sharing settings will open.
Step 3. Make a note of the computer name that appears on the Computer Name line
You will need it later to set up your connection.
Step 4. Check the "File Sharing" checkbox to enable file access
Additional options will open on the right.
Step 5. Click "Options"
The file sharing settings will open.
Step 6. Check the box next to "Share files and folders using SMB"
It is a file-sharing protocol that allows you to connect to Windows computers.
Step 7. In the "Windows File Sharing" section, click "Enable" next to your account
This will allow you to access files on your Mac OS X computer from a Windows computer.
Step 8. Open File Explorer on your Windows computer
To do this, press ⊞ Win + E or open the "Computer" / "This PC" window.
Step 9. Click "Network" on the left sidebar
You may have to scroll down the panel to find this option.
Step 10. Find your Mac OS X computer in the list of networked computers
It will be displayed under the name that you wrote down in the third step of this section.
If your computer is not listed on the network computers, click the address bar at the top of the screen and enter \ MacName, replacing MacName with your computer name
Step 11. Enter your Mac OS X username and password
When you select your Mac OS X computer, you will be prompted for your account username and password. This will give you access to folders and files on your Mac OS X computer.