After the network has been set up and tested, you should configure a web browser, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE). You can configure browser settings and perform maintenance tasks in the Internet Options dialog box, as shown in Figure 1.

Temporary Internet Files
When an operating system such as Windows XP has been installed, IE is also installed by default. With IE, every time that you visit a website, many files are downloaded to your computer in the Temporary Internet Files folder. Most of these files are image files that represent banners and other components of the website.

Temporary Internet files are stored on your computer so that the browser can load content faster the next time you visit the same website. Depending on the number of websites you visit, the Temporary Internet Files folder can fill up quickly. While this may not be an urgent problem, you should delete the files occasionally. This is especially important after you have entered personal information into the Web browser.

Default Browser
You can confirm which browser Windows uses by default. In Windows XP, choose Start > Run, enter a website address, and click OK.

In Windows Vista, choose Start > Start Search, enter a website address, and click OK. The website opens in the browser that is currently set as the default.

If you want IE to be your default browser, start by opening IE. On the toolbar, select Tools > Internet Options > Programs. Place a check in the box next to Tell me if Internet Explorer is not the default web browser. The next time you click a web link in a program or in a document, you will be asked if you would like to make Internet Explorer your default web browser. This path might vary based on your version of IE.

File Sharing
Users can share resources over the network. You can share a single file, specific folders, or an entire drive, as shown in Figure 2.

To share a file in Windows XP, you should first copy it to a folder. Right-click the folder and select Sharing and Security. Next select Share this folder. You can identify who has access to the folder and what permissions they have on the objects in the folder. Figure 3 shows the permissions window of a shared folder.

In Windows Vista, right-click the folder and select Sharing. Add a user to the folder and then select Share.

Permissions define the type of access a user has to a file or folder:

• Read – This allows the user to view the file and subfolder names, navigate to subfolders, view data in files, and run program files.
• Change – This allows all of the permissions of Read but allows the user to add files and subfolders, change the data in files, and delete subfolders and files.
• Full Control – This allows all of the permissions of Change and Read. If the file or folder is in an NTFS partition, Full Control allows you to change permissions on the file or folder, and take ownership of the file or folder.

Windows XP Professional and Windows Vista Business are limited to a maximum of 10 simultaneous file-sharing connections.

Printer Sharing
To share a printer in Windows XP, select Start > Control Panel > Printers and Faxes. Right-click the printer icon and select Sharing. Click Share this Printer and then click OK. The printer is now available for other computers to access.

To access a printer shared by another computer in Windows XP, select Start > Control Panel > Printers and Faxes. Click File > Add Printer. Use the Add Printers wizard to find and install the shared network printer.

To share a printer in Windows Vista, select Start > Control Panel > Printers. Right-click the printer icon and select Sharing > Change sharing options > Continue. Click Share this Printer and then click OK. The printer is now available for other computers to access.

To access a printer shared by another computer in Windows Vista, select Start > Control Panel > Printers. Click Add a printer. Use the Add Printers wizard to find and install the shared network printer.

Lab Configure Browser Settings in Windows XP Configure browser settings in Microsoft Internet Explorer and select Internet Explorer as the default browser.   Optional Lab Configure Browser Settings in Windows Vista Configure browser settings in Microsoft Internet Explorer and select Internet Explorer as the default browser.   Lab Share a Folder, Share a Printer, and Set Share Permissions in Windows XP Create and share a folder, share a printer, and set permissions for the shares.   Optional Lab Share a Folder, Share a Printer, and Set Share Permissions in Windows Vista Create and share a folder, share a printer, and set permissions for the shares.