Problem:
When you use Windows Explorer to view some shared folders on a computer that is running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2, the shared type icons for these folders do not appear. Actually shared folders are no longer displayed with a distinctive share overlay icon. All folders are presented with a generic folder icon. Therefore, the shared folders cannot be identified quickly when you view many folders at the same time.
Cause:
According to Microsoft, one of the goals for the Windows 7 release is to reduce large cognitive loads on users by simplifying the user interface. With the investment in sharing for the Windows 7 release, and especially with HomeGroup in the consumer space, we believe that a majority of users' content will be shared. The previous overlay model would have resulted in the sharing overlay appearing frequently in typical Explorer views, potentially distracting users with information that they might not use or need on a daily basis. A single sharing overlay can't provide details about how an item is shared (for example, who it's shared with, what privileges are assigned, etc.) and this results in a higher cognitive load for the end user. Prior to Windows 7, there were also scenarios in which the sharing overlay was shown inconsistently, which caused user confusion. As a result, based on the above, the sharing overlay was removed from the items view in Explorer.
The sharing state information that the overlay provides isn't gone but rather has been moved to the Details pane in Windows Explorer. This approach is an improvement over the overlay model, as it helps provide more relevant data related to sharing (for example, who the item is shared with). The Details pane is also where all other relevant properties for an item--such as ratings and author--are displayed, making the overall experience more consistent for end users by providing one location in which they can see all relevant state information for an item.
If you share a folder, then click the folder to select it, at the bottom of the screen in the Details pane, you'll see "State:" and "Shared" with the appropriate "people" icon. It also shows "Shared with" and lists the users/groups.
Solution:
If you want to get the good old "Shared Folder" icon back in Windows 7, here comes our favorite "Classic Shell" to the rescue.
"Classic Shell" is an awesome free utility which provides almost all those good old features back in Windows 7 which have been removed by Microsoft for unknown or you can say weird reasons.
Simply download Classic Shell using following link:
After installing it, click on the "Classic Explorer Settings" button present at last of the toolbar in Explorer. If you don't get the Classic toolbar in Explorer after installing the utility, press "ALT" key to show Menubar, right-click on it and select "Classic Explorer Bar" option.
Now enable "Add icon overlay for shared folders" option present in "File Pane" tab and Apply it.
That's it. You'll need to restart or log off and now Windows 7 will start showing Shared folder icon in Explorer.
This article was posted by VG in following section: Software, Troubleshooting, Windows 7.
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Prashant
I m first to comment.
SCBright
For my taste, I like W7 "as is". It is perfect.
The concept for shared folders was inverted in W7, instead of multiple folders with overlay icons, it display the non-shared folders with a little yellow locker in it. If the folder is shared (tipically the public folder) you can see its state at the explorer lower pane.
It's beautiful and clean.
Anyway this is a good app for those guys who miss XP, it's a matter of personal taste.
HoppingYop
@SCBright yes like you said "for your taste" its good. However, a good OS is not supposed to satisfy 1 (one) taste. It's supposed to satisfy many tastes. If that wasn't the case windows 7 wouldn't need many many more customizations that it has. So In my opinion, that should have been an option where the user could pick to have or not have the overlay icon instead of forcing EVERYONE to not use them ever again unless you resort to a 3rd party utility. That seems to be the trend of fricking Micro$oft. They got rid of the "up one level" button which I still find usefull and totally different from the current W7 path approach, and for which I had to get StExBar to get back. In MS Office they got rid of standard menus!!!! How's that for messing things up? They worked hard on standardizing menus and now they are working on breaking them.
HoppingYop
I didn't realize that Classic Shell also includes an "Up" button. Very nice!
NightOwl888
How are you supposed to install the toolbars on Windows Server 2008 R2? I can't seem to locate the "Toolbars" option from the dropdown menu - it just isn't there. I tried 2 different 3rd party toolbars to fix this problem, however it appears that they also took out the ability to add 3rd party toolbars!
So now what?
VG
^^ Open Windows Explorer, press ALT key to show Menubar, right-click on Menubar and select the toolbar entry.
If you cant see toolbar entry, make sure "Enable third-party browser extensions" option is enabled in Internet Explorer -> Internet Options -> Advanced tab.