Joining a Microsoft Network requires the following
You need to know the workgroup name of the Windows Network. By default they are named “workgroup”.
Follow the following steps:
- Open Network preferences, in System Preferences, and ensure that the padlock in the lower left is unlocked. If locked, click on it and, when prompted, enter an administrator name and password. Click OK to continue.
- Type “Workgroup” in the System Preferences search field and press Return. (Or, click “Network”, select an interface, then click “Advanced”, then “WINS”.)
- Enter a name for your Mac in the “NetBIOS Name:” field.
- Enter the appropriate Workgroup you want to join join in the “Workgroup:” field. In this case it is “workgroup”
- Click OK.
- Click “Apply” to finish the sharing process. It might take a few minutes for the PC(s) to appear in the “Shared” section of your Finder sidebar, and for PCs to see the Mac in this workgroup.
See the screenshot below for more assistance:
If your Mac is in an office environment, you might need to enter in one or more IP addresses of your office “WINS” servers. Check with your Windows administrator to learn the IP addresses of your office “WINS” servers. To enter the IP address of your “WINS” servers, follow these steps:
- Open Network preferences, in System Preferences, and ensure that the padlock in the lower left is unlocked. If locked, click on it and, when prompted, enter an administrator name and password. Click OK to continue.
- Type “WINS” in the System Preferences search field and press Return.
- Click the + (plus) icon below the “WINS Servers:” field.
- Enter one IP address for one of your “WINS” servers.
- Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each IP address of your “WINS” servers.
- Click OK.
- Click “Apply” to complete the file sharing process.
Additional Tips:
- Mac OS X leverages the CIFS Browser Protocol to enable PCs to appear in the “SHARED” section of the Finder windows sidebar and for Macs to appear in Windows workgroups. Ports 137, 138, and 139 should not be blocked on your PC firewall.
- A “Sharing Only” type of user account is one that will not have a home folder. It is not a local user account. You will not be able to use your Mac with this kind of account. It is only used to log onto your Mac for file sharing from another computer.