Setting Up a Peer

to Peer Network in
Windows 7
ICT 10: QUARTER 2
What is Windows 7? • Is an operating system developed by
Microsoft, which is the software that
manages and controls the basic functions
of a computer.
• It serves as an interface between the
hardware (such as the processor, memory,
and storage) and the software applications
that run on the computer.
• Windows 7 was released in 2009 as the
successor to Windows Vista.
• It introduced several improvements and
new features compared to its predecessor.
• It is also focused on improving performance
and stability, it introduced a more efficient
file system called NTFS, which helped
enhance data reliability and speed
• In terms of the user interface, Windows 7
aimed to be more user-friendly and
intuitive, it introduced a new “Aero” visual
style, which featured transparent window
borders and smoother animations.
Setting Up a Peer to Peer Network
in Windows 7
Setting up a peer to peer network in Windows 7
involves connecting multiple computers together
to share files, printers, and other resources
without the need for a central server. Here’s a
step by step guide to help you set up a peer to
peer network:
1. Connect the Computers

Ensure that all

computers are
connected to the
same network, either
through Ethernet
cables or wirelessly.
2. Set Up Workgroup
By default, Windows 7 uses the “Workgroup” network type. To
check or change the workgroup name, follow these steps:

• Right-click on the
“Computer” icon on the
desktop or in the “Start
Menu” and select
“Properties”.
2. Set Up Workgroup

• In the System window, click on

“Advanced System Settings” on the
left-hand side.
2. Set Up Workgroup

• In the System Properties

window, go to the
“Computer Name” tab
and click on the
“Change” button.
2. Set Up Workgroup

• Enter a unique workgroup

name for all the computers in
the network and click “OK”.
3. Enable File and Printer Sharing
To allow file and printer sharing on each computer, follow
these steps:

• Open the
Control Panel
and go to
“Network and
Sharing
Center”.
3. Enable File and Printer Sharing

• Click on “Change
Advanced Sharing
Settings” on the left-
hand side.
3. Enable File and Printer Sharing

• Under the “Home or Work”

profile, enable the following
options:
- Turn on network discovery.
- Turn on file and printer sharing.
- Turn off password protected
sharing (optional, for easier
access).
- Click “Save Changes”.
4. Share Folders and Files
To share folders and files on a computer, follow these steps:

• Right-click on the folder or file you

want to share and select “Properties”.
4. Share Folders and Files

• In the Properties
window, go to the
“Sharing” tab.
4. Share Folders and Files

• Check the box

that says “Share this
folder” and click on
“Permissions” to set
access permissions
for other users.
4. Share Folders and Files

• Click “OK” to save the

changes.
5. Access Shared Folders
To access shared folders on another computer, follow
these steps:

• Open Windows
Explorer and click
on “Network” in the
left hand
navigation pane.
5. Access Shared Folders

• You should see a list

of computers in the
network. Double-click
on the computer
name to access its
shared folders.
5. Access Shared Folders

• Enter the
username and
password of a user
account on the
remote computer if
prompted.
6. Share Printers
To share a printer connected to one computer with others
on the network, follow these steps:

• Open the
Control Panel
and go to
“Devices and
Printers”.
6. Share Printers

• Right-click on the
printer you want to
share and select
“Printer properties”.
6. Share Printers

• In the Properties
window, go to the
“Sharing” tab.
6. Share Printers

• Check the box

that says “Share this
printer” and enter a
share name for the
printer.
6. Share Printers

• Click “OK” to
save the changes.
Repeat steps 4 to 6 on each computer to
share additional folders or printers.

By following these steps, you should be able

to set up a peer to peer network in Windows
7 and start sharing files, folders, and printers
between computers on the network.