Your Folder Could Not Be Shared

The reason it took me so long to solve this problem was because none of the sites I visited while Googling about it mentioned the Client for Microsoft Networks as a possible culprit. In my case the problem was that I simply didn't have it installed!

To check whether or not you have it on your system, you have to go to your Network and Sharing Center (assuming you use Windows Vista). You can do that through your Control Panel or by right clicking the Network icon on your desktop and choosing "Properties".

Once there, click "Manage network collections" on the right and select your internet connection in the window that appears. Right click on it and choose "Properties". Check the list under the "This collection uses the following items" message. If it doesn't have Client for Microsoft Networks, you'll have to install it.

Click "Install", choose "Client" and press "Add". Select Client for Microsoft Networks and press OK. This should only take a few seconds, after which you will be prompted to restart your computer. Once you do that you should no longer get the "Your Folder Could Not Be Shared" error.

If you do have the Client of Microsoft Networks installed and still get the Your Folder Could Not Be Shared error, then the problem is somewhere else. Here are some potential clues I've found while searching for more information on this error online:

• Network discovery: make sure Network discovery is turned on in your Network and Sharing center (the setting can be either On or Custom, both will work). For this your network type has to be set to "Private" rather than "Public". But of course, you should only use this for secure home networks and not in a public location.


• File sharing: likewise, File sharing in the Network and Sharing center has to be turned on. All the settings below it like Public folder sharing can actually be Off and you'll still be able to share the files that you choose.


• File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks: same deal as Client for Microsoft Networks, this has to be installed for your connection if you want sharing to work. Just use the same instructions to install it, only choose "Protocol" rather than "Client".

Finally, if you still have any file sharing problems don't forget to check whether it's not your overzealous firewall blocking network access and if you haven't disabled any important system services.