Enable File Sharing Between Windows 7 and Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat

This brief tutorial will show you how to share files and folders between Windows 7 and Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat using SMB protocol.  Windows uses SMB (Server Message Block) to enable sharing between Windows systems. Ubuntu on the other hand uses Samba to enable sharing with other systems, including Windows. I will show you how to do it.

Getting started:

To get started, login to Windows and click Start –> then search for and select ‘View advanced system settings’.



Then select ‘Computer Name’ tab and click ‘Change’.



In here you could change the ‘Computer name’ and ‘Workgroup’ the computer belongs. You may have to restart your computer for the change to apply.



After restarting,  click Start –> then search for and select ‘Network and Sharing Center’.



Then select ‘Change advanced sharing settings’



Next, select the drop-down arrow for Home or Work profile.



Then turn on ‘File and printer sharing’ and save changes.




Next, logon to Ubuntu and go to Applications –> Ubuntu Software Center.



Then search for and install ‘Samba’.



After installing, go to System –> Administration –> Samba.



Then select ‘Preferences –> Server Settings’



Change the Workgroup name to match that in Windows 7 and save.



You may have to restart both computers to be able to view shares.



Enjoy!



If you’re having problems access Ubuntu shares from Windows 7, logon to Ubuntu and go to Applications –> Accessories –> Terminal and run the command below to add the user to Samba Database.

sudo smbpasswd USERNAME -a

Replace USERNAME with your account name.

Enjoy! And please come back soon.