For whatever reason, OS X has to store your Mac user account password in a less secure way in order to connect from a Windows machine. In order to connect from a Windows machine, you have to check the box next to the user name and enter your password. The only other thing you have to do is click on the Options button and you’ll see a section at the bottom called Windows File Sharing. Under Users, you can see the standard permissions and edit them as you see fit. Click the little + (plus) button to share any folder on your hard drive. Under Shared Folders, the Public folder is shared out by default.
You’ll also see the IP address for the computer listed by the Options button. Click the Edit button to change the name. If you don’t, OS X will give it a short name automatically so that Windows can recognize it.
Starting at the top, you can change your computer name to something less complex so Windows users have an easier time connecting. This one dialog pretty much contains all the settings and options for sharing.
Now go ahead and check the File Sharing box under Service to enable file sharing. Before you get started, make sure to click on the little gold lock icon at the bottom left otherwise everything will be greyed out and you won’t be able to make any changes.
