Windows 7 and XP are both great operating systems, but they don’t have the same media player options. If you want to stream media from Windows 7 or XP to a device like an Xbox 360 or Playstation 3, you’ll need to use a different media player. If you’re using VLC Media Player, you can stream media from Windows 7 and XP without any problems. Just follow these steps:
- Open VLC Media Player and click on the “File” menu item. This will take you to the “Open” dialog box.
- In the “Open” dialog box, browse to the location where you want to store your media files. For example, if you’re streaming media from a USB drive, then browse to “C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming.vlc”.
- Click on the “Create New Playlist” button and enter a name for your new playlist. For example, “MyNewPlaylist”.
- Click on the “Create” button and your new playlist will be created!
On the host computer running Windows 7, you’ll need to have an account set up with both a username and password. A blank password will not work. The media files will need to be located in a shared folder.
Note: If the media files are located within the Public directory, or within the profile of the user account you use to log into the Windows 7 computer, they will be shared automatically.
Sharing your Media Folders
On your Windows 7 computer, right-click on the folder containing the files you’d like to stream and choose Properties.
On the Sharing Tab of the folder properties, click the Share button. Click OK.
Type or select from the drop down the user account you’ll use to log in, or select “Everyone” to share with all users. Then click Add.
You may change the permission level, but only Read permission is required to play the media. Repeat this process for any additional folders you wish to share.
The Windows XP Client Computer
Now that we’ve shared our media folders from the Windows 7 computer, we’re ready to play our files on the Windows XP computer.
Download and install the VLC Media Player. (See link below) Then open VLC.
Click on Media from the and select Open File…
Browse your network for the shared folder that contains your media.
You’ll be prompted to log in to the host computer. Provide the credentials for a user on the Windows 7 computer. Click OK.
Select your media file and click Open.
Your media playback will begin momentarily.
This is a nice and easy way to stream media across your home network without upgrading multiple computers to Windows 7. Plus, VLC is certainly no slouch as a Media Player. It’ll play virtually any video or audio file you can throw at it.
Have you already upgraded all your home PCs to Windows 7? Check out our previous article on streaming media between Windows 7 computers on your home network.
Download VLC Media Player
