File sharing allows you to share your files with other computers across the network. There are many different ways to share your computer. Each has its limits and boundaries.

To enable file sharing, open up your system preferences and select the "Sharing" icon in the "Internet & Network" row.

Once the "Sharing" preferences window is open, you may have to click on the Services tab to display the options.

To turn on any of the items, simply check the box next to the name. To stop a service, just uncheck the box. Make sure that you have named your computer so that it may be found on the network.



There are eight different options that you can choose from to share your computer. As stated above, each of them is different and has its own limitations.

Personal File Sharing
Lets other Macintosh users access the public folders on your computer.

Windows Sharing
Lets Windows users access shared folders using SMB (a Windows file sharing technology).

Personal Web Sharing
Turns on your web server and allows others to view web pages in your "Sites" folder.

Remote Login
Lets others access your computer using Secure Shell (SSH).

FTP Access
Lets others exchange files with your computer via FTP software such as Fetch.

Apple Remote Desktop
Enables others to access your computer using Apple Remote Desktop software which allows one computer to run another computer. Note that Apple Remote Desktop is not part of OS X and is a separate piece of software.

Remote Apple Events
Lets applications on other Macintosh computer to send Apple Events to your computer.

Printer Sharing
Allows other computers to use printers that are connected to your computer.