More advanced users may choose not to use the Public folder for sharing but would rather share folders individually. This method not only allows you to select the people who have access to your folders and files, it also lets you set permissions for each person.

There are two methods for sharing a folder in Vista. You can use the Share option from a folder’s context menu or you can use the Sharing tab from a folder’s properties window.

To share a folder in Vista using the folder’s context menu:

1. Right click the folder you want to share and select the Share option. The File Sharing window is displayed.
2. Click the arrow beside the text box and select the appropriate user name from the list. Click Add.
3. Repeat step two for each person you want to give access to.
4. Under Permission Level, click the down arrow beside each user to set the level of access (permission options are described in further details below).
5. Click Share and then click Done.

When you share a folder in Vista through the File Sharing window, you can set one of three permission levels:

• Reader: Users can display the contents of the folder, open files, display attributes, and run programs.
• Contributor: Users have all the rights of Reader, plus the ability to create new folders and files within the shared folder and change or delete any files they have contributed to.
• Co-owner: Users have all of the rights of Contributor, plus the ability to change or delete any files.

To share a folder using its properties window:

1. Open the Computer window and navigate to the folder you want to share.
2. Right click the folder and click Properties.
3. Click the Sharing tab.
4. Click Share. The File Sharing window will appear as described in the previous steps.

A folder also has advanced sharing options that let you configure options such as custom permissions and the share name. You can access these options by selecting the Advanced Sharing button. The Advanced Sharing window will appear. Click the option to Share this folder. By selecting the Permission button, you can specify individual user or group names and their permissions.

The permissions you can set include:

• Read: Users can display the contents of the folder, open files, display attributes and run programs.
• Change: Users have all the rights of Read, plus the ability to create new folders and files within the shared folder, open and change files, change file attributes and delete folders and files.
• Full Control: Users have all of the rights of Change, plus the ability to take ownership of files and change file permissions.

For each setting (Read, Change, and Full Control), you can choose the option to Allow or Deny. The default is set to Allow. If you don’t want to allow a particular permission, you simply deselect the Allow check box. “Disallowing” something (that is, turning off Allow permissions for it) takes away that right but enables the folder to inherit permissions from the parent folder or drive.