How To Install the Client for Microsoft Networks
The Client for Microsoft Networks is an essential networking software component for the Microsoft Windows family of operating systems. A Windows computer must run the Client for Microsoft Networks to remotely access files, printers and other shared network resources. These step-by-step instructions explain how to verify the client is present and, if not, how to install it.
- Navigate to the Control Panel.
- If the computer runs Windows 2000, Windows XP or newer, locate and right click "My Network Places" in the Start Menu and choose Properties from the menu that appears. A new window titled "Network Connections" opens. In this window, open the "Local Area Connection" item.
- If the computer runs any older version of Windows, like Windows 95 or Windows 98, locate and right-click on Network Neighborhood, then choose "Properties" from the menu that appears. Alternatively, navigate to Control Panel and open the "Network" item.
- If the computer runs Windows 2000, Windows XP or newer, view the General tab and verify the checkbox next to Client for Microsoft Windows is unchecked. This confirms the component has not already been installed. If the network is currently active, you may not see any checkboxes in the window. In this case, click the "Properties" button one more time to reach the full General tab.
- If the computer runs any older version of Windows, view the Configuration tab and verify the Client for Microsoft Windows does not appear in this list. This confirms the component has not already been installed.
- If the computer runs Windows 2000, Windows XP or newer, first click the checkbox next to Client for Microsoft Windows, then click the "Install..." button to begin the process of installing this component.
- If the computer runs any older version of Windows, simply click the "Add..." to begin the process of installing Client for Microsoft Windows.
- For all versions of Windows, select "Client" as the type of component from the list in the new window that appears. Click th e "Add..." button to continue.
- For all verisons of Windows, next choose "Microsoft" from the list of manufacturers shown on the left of the active window. Then, choose "Client for Microsoft Windows" from the list of Network Clients on the right side of the window. Click the "OK" button to continue.
- Complete the installation by clicking the "OK" button to close the window, then proceed to reboot the computer. After the computer has restarted, Client for Microsoft Windows will be installed.
TIP: You will probably also need to install the TCP/IP protocol and the "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks" service to fully network a Windows computer on a typical LAN.
Appropriately name Networked Windows Computers -
When setting up a peer-to-peer Windows network, each computer name must be configured properly. Computers having names that violate Windows guidelines may, for various technical reasons, fail to network with their peers on the LAN. Ensure your computers are named appropriately according to the following rules:
- No two computers can possess the same computer name. Ensure all computer names are unique.
- Ensure each computer name is no longer than 15 characters.
- Ensure no computer name contains spaces. Windows ME and earlier versions of Windows do not recognize computers having space characters in their name.
- Avoid special characters in computer names. Whenever possible, do not use any of these characters when naming Windows computers: / \*,."@
- For simplicity, avoid using lower-case letters in a computer name whenever possible. Entering computer names in all upper case reduces the likelihood that Windows computers will identify each other.
To set or change a computer name on Windows XP, right-click on My Computer or open the System icon in Control Panel, then choose the Computer name tab.
To set or change a computer name on Windows 2000, open the System icon in Control Panel and choose the Network Identification tab, then click the Properties button.
On older versions of Windows, open the Network icon in Control Panel and choose the Identification tab.
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