Windows 7 - How to enable files and folders sharing

In this tutorial I would like to help Windows 7 users who migrated to 7 straight from Windows XP, how to join a network and share files and folders on the network.

First of all you need a Windows 7 computer connected to a local area network. Network computers must be on the same workgroup so you can easily share files and folders between them.
To join the workgroup in your local network:

Open the Start menu and then right click Computer and choose Properties:

In the Properties window navigate to Computer name, domain and workgroup settings and click Change Settings:

A new window will appear. Here you can enter a brief descriprion of your computer (optionally). To join a workgroup click on Change button:

In the new window enter you computer's name and the workgroup's name and click Ok.

A welcome to the workgroup message will appear and click Ok. Then a warning message will pop up and click Ok to close it. Now click Close on the System Properties window and restart your computer.

Now your computer is on a Workgroup in your local area network but due to Windows 7 default network settings your computer is not yet ready to share files and folders. To enable file sharing you must:

Open Control Panel from the Start button and then go to Network and Sharing Center:

In the Network and Sharing Center window click on Change Advanced Sharing Settings from the left panel:

 To enable file sharing and make you computer discoverable on the network make sure you check the settings like in the picture below:

Restart computer for all the changes to take effect.

Windows XP - How to add your computer to a workgroup

If your computer is already part of a network, you can join a certain workgroup so you can see all the computers on the network. To join a workgroup follow some simple steps:

Open Start Menu and right click on My Computer and choose Properties.

When the properties window appears, go to Computer Name tab and click on it. On this tab you can enter a computer description (optionally, if you want network users to easy recognize your computer). Click on Change to enter the workgroup name in your network (if you don't know it, just ask the network administrator for the workgroup name).

A new window will appear. Here you can enter your computer's name and then make sure Workgroup is checked and enter the workgroup name.Click OK and then restart your computer.

To see computers on the workgroup, open Network Places (from the Start Menu or open My Computer and click on My Network Places on the left panel), then click View Workgroup Computers on the Network Tasks  panel on the left.

If you want to see computers from other workgroups in your local network (if there are any), follow the step above and then click on Microsoft Windows Network from the Other Places panel on the left.