Cannot network access Windows 7 shared C drive

Question

I can no longer network access the shared C drive of a Windows 7 machine. Is this something new in Windows 7? (works fine on Vista machines)

Answer 1

"Anyone can change and delete files/folders on your C drive which contain important files/folders in order for Windows to function correctly."

"Anyone can accidentally delete your Windows folder and cause your system to crash or accidentally move files to a different folders cause system to become inaccessible."

I don't think that's a practical problem becasue the default permission level is READ only. Also,  Windows 7(and Vista too) prohibits sharing of Windows folder, Program Files folder, and Users folder(other than Users\Public). I assume that people who want to share the C drives have isolated home environments.

Answer 2

This actually work to make the original c$ share available on the network:

How to enable in Windows Vista and Windows 7

By default, Windows Vista and newer versions of Windows prevent local accounts from accessing administrative shares through the network.

To enable administrative shares you have to make a registry change. Click on Start Menu and in the search box type ‘regedit’ and press ENTER. Add this registry item:

Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

Key: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

Name: LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy

Data Type: REG_DWORD

Value: 1

After rebooting, the hidden share is accessible from other computers.

I tried it and it worked immediately. The only thing that is not mentioned in the fix is that it should be a 32bit DWORD, not 64bit, if you have the option.

Answer 3

I think I know what's going on...

Indeed, there is a change in Windows 7 with regard to sharing the C drive. The default security template no longer include "Everyone," which is not the case in Vista.

In order to share C drive with no authentication, you have to add "Everyone" to Security.

Answer 4

Hi sunfish2008,

This is a change by design to possible increase security for your system in Windows 7.  To share the entire C drive to everyone isn't a good idea.  Anyone can change and delete files/folders on your C drive which contain important files/folders in order for Windows to function correctly.  Anyone can accidentally delete your Windows folder and cause your system to crash or accidentally move files to a different folders cause system to become inaccessible. 

It is recommend for you to create and share specific folder ONLY, not the entire drive.

Hope this helps,

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Kevin

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

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Answer 5

On the 7 machine, press winlogo key+r, and type fsmgmt.msc You should get info on what you have shared.

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Rating posts helps other usersMark L. Ferguson MS-MVP