How to Create a Share in Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat and Map it in Windows 7 or Vista

This brief tutorial will show you how to easily create a share in Ubuntu and map it in Windows 7 or Vista. Windows uses SMB protocol to view and map shares among Windows systems. Ubuntu uses Samba to share files with Windows and other systems. To make it work, your Ubuntu machine must be turned on before starting Windows machine.

Getting started:

To get started, logon to Ubuntu and go to Applications –> Ubuntu Software Center.

Then search for and install ‘Samba’

samba

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

Then click ‘Add’

When the dialog box opens, type the folder or directory you wish to share. Then make it ‘Writable’and ‘Visible’ from Windows system.

Next, select the ‘Access’ tab and select users who are allowed to access the shares. Click OKwhen done.

Next, logon to Windows and go to Start –> Computer. Then select ‘Map network drive’

Next select the ‘Drive’ letter and the shared folder path, then click ‘Finish’

\\Host_Name or IP_Address\Shared_folder_name

Enjoy!

If you have trouble accessing Ubuntu shares from Windows, go to Applications –> Accessories –> Terminal, then type the line below and press Enter.

sudo smbpasswd -a USERNAME

Replace USERNAME with the username of the account, then try again.

Thanks for reading and please come back soon.