HOWTO Enable Macintosh file sharing

From Computer Evolution Knowledgebase

Contents 1 Overview 2 Directions 3 Adding Shared Folders 4 Other Sharing Protocols

Overview

File Sharing allows you to access the files on your Macintosh computer from another computer on your local network.

Directions

1. Begin by accessing the System Preferences application. This can be reached through a dock icon or by searching your system with Spotlight at the top right corner of your screen.
   
2. Click on the Sharing icon in the Internet and Network category.
   
3. Select File Sharing from the list of sharing features on the left of the screen.
4. Click the check box to enable file sharing on your computer.
   

Adding Shared Folders

1. While on the File Sharing menu, click the plus (+) icon below the Shared Folders box in the center of the window.
   
2. Navigate to the folder you would like to share on the network and click Add.
3. If you would like to set permissions for the folder, use the drop down menus in the box to the right to set permissions for yourself as well as other users.
   

Other Sharing Protocols

By default, Apple File Sharing only enables the Apple Filing Protocol, a Mac only sharing system. If you would like to access your files from a Windows or Linux based computer, you must also enable SMB and FTP protocols. To do so, simply click Options in the bottom right corner of the File Sharing menu and click the check boxes for FTP and SMB sharing protocols.