IS Logo

File Sharing
Macintosh OS 10.3 & OS 10.4

How to set up file sharing in OS X

This documentation explains how to set up file sharing on a Macintosh computer with OS X v.10.3 or 10.4, how to remove file sharing, and how to connect to files on a shared Mac. Any Macintosh computer properly connected to the Wellesley College network should be able to share files with any other Macintosh or Windows computer on campus that is also connected to the Wellesley College network.

New to File Sharing?

 

Setting up File Sharing

Connecting to a Shared Mac

Removing File Sharing

Before you begin

Request a static IP address

  1. You will need to request a static IP address to connect to your Mac from other computers and share files. After you submit this form, you will receive an email response within a few business days from Information Services that includes a hostname. It may be similar to username.wellesley.edu.
  2. Go to the Apple Menu > System Preferences > Sharing and select the Services tab. Type the hostname provided to you in the Computer Name field. You may now set up file sharing with Macs or Windows computers.

    Set Computer Name

Setting up file sharing with other Macs

  1. Go to the Apple Menu > System Preferences > Sharing.
  2. Under the Services tab, check Personal File Sharing.
  3. You will see either Personal File Sharing Off or Personal File Sharing On displayed on the right.
  4. If you would like to share your public folders, you can click Start to turn this on or Stop to turn it off. Note: Although file sharing is turned on, not every file on your hard disk will be shared. Users will be given the choice to view your home directory or your entire hard drive. However, users still cannot see your private files.

    Turn on personal file sharing.

  5. Click the Firewall tab and check Personal File Sharing.
  6. Click Start to enable file sharing with other Macs.

    Enable Firewall - Personal File Sharing

Back to Top

Setting up file sharing with Windows computers

  1. Go to the Apple Menu > System Preferences > Sharing.
  2. Under the Services tab, check Windows Sharing.
  3. Click on Windows Sharing to make sure it's highlighted as shown below. Click Start so that Windows Sharing On is displayed on the right. Finally, if you are running OS X v.10.4, click Accounts. OS X v.10.3 users will not have this option and can proceed to step 5.

    Setting up file sharing with Windows

  4. In OS X v.10.4, users must connect to your computer with an account already on the machine. It is recommended that you create a guest account and give this account name to those you wish to share with. Click Accounts and then check the box beside the account(s) that will share files with you. When you check the box beside an account, you will be prompted to enter the password and click OK. Click Done when you are finished.

    Enable Accounts

  5. Click the Firewall tab and check Windows Sharing.
  6. Click Start to enable file sharing with Windows computers.

    Enable Firewall - Windows File Sharing

Back to Top

Connecting to a shared Mac or PC from a Mac

To view files on a shared Mac while using a Mac

  1. Go to Macintosh HD > Network > Local. The name of the computer you are looking for should be listed if both computers are part of the same sub-network.

    OR

  1. You can also access the shared computer by going to Go > Connect to Server.
  2. Type in the IP address of the computer you are trying to connect to in the format: smb://hostname.wellesley.edu.

Connecting to a shared Mac from Windows

  1. Click Start > Run.
  2. Type: \\hostname.wellesley.edu
  3. Select OK.
  4. Enter the username and password of the Macintosh account as described above in step #4.

How to remove file sharing

To turn off file sharing completely:

  1. Go to the Apple Menu > System Preferences > Sharing.
  2. Uncheck all options under the Services tab. This will stop your computer from sharing any file.
Back to Top
Computing at Wellesley Macintosh Documentation Windows Documentation