Users Folder Shared After Creating First Share

I'm running Windows Vista Ultimate with latest updates on a large home 
network. I've just created my first share on this Vista machine and have put 
it in the Public folder. For some reason the Users folder (C:\Users) is also 
shared - can anyone tell me if I have done this by mistake or whether the 
Users folder is automatically shared?

In the Network and Sharing Center, Network Discovery, File Sharing, Printer 
Sharing and Password Protected Sharing are all turned on and the remaining 
settings are turned off.

Anything you share under the \Users\ directory structure causes that folder 
hierarchy to appear.  However, you should see that none of the files are 
shared unless you share the directory that contains them.  Also, the Public 
Folders can be shared as a block from Network & Sharing Center.

Hello,

Thank you for posting in the Microsoft newsgroup! 

From your post, my understanding on this issue is: you noticed Vista shared 
your user folder automatically. If I'm off base, please feel free to let me 
know.

Thanks to Michael for his key in.

Just like Michael said, sharing a folder under your profile folder will let 
all the parent folders appear. This behavior is by design. 

The following file mentioned this behavior as well:
Sharing a Folder or Printer in Windows Vista
 http://www.**--****.com/ #ECHAC

I understand your feelings on this behavior. By my test, others can access 
folders under the profile folder. Though they won't see any file there, it 
doesn't make people feel secure. If you have concern on this behavior, 
please feel free to submit your suggestion on our product to the following 
link. Our Product Group reviews the suggestions submitted by our customers. 
Your feedback is valuable for us to improve our products and increase the 
level of service provided. 

https://support.microsoft.com/common/survey.aspx?scid=sw;en;1208&showpage=1&
ws=search

Please let me know if you have any other concerns, or need anything else.>

Sean Cai, MCSE2000
Microsoft Online Support
 
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
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Thank you both for your replies which answer my question.

My network machines are set up with the same accounts on each machine. I've 
noticed that when I access the shared Users folder on the Vista machine and 
I've logged on to an XP Pro machine on the network as (for example) Malcolm, 
I can only see the sub-folders (within the Vista Users folder) for Malcolm 
and Default. However, I appear to have full access to these folders which 
does give me cause for concern and which could be confusing for home users. I 
will therefore use the feedback link Sean has provided.

Thanks again.

Hi Dell,

Thank you for your understanding.

Please let me know if you have any other concerns, or need anything else.>

Sean Cai, MCSE2000
Microsoft Online Support
 
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
=====================================================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so 
that others may learn and benefit from your issue. 
=====================================================