Cannot access shared folder between two Windows8 computers

Question

How do I share a folder on one Windows8 computer and access it from another Windows8 computer?

I do not want to use HomeGroups. I set them up initially, but I'm much more content with mapped network drives which make sense to me. Homegroups do not.

I have been at this for three hours and am ready to put a computer monitor through the window, but this is what I have tried so far.

Two computers. [e-mail] and [e-mail] which are both Windows8 live accounts or whatever.

1. On server both users have been added. Currently logged in as [e-mail].
2. Shared folder "Photos'. I see the shared folder from PC, but access is denied
3. Ran fsmgmt.msc
4. Added full permissions for "Everyone" and for "[e-mail]". Access is denied.
5. Tried adding every user under the sun. Access is denied.

Argh.

Answer 1

Well I finally sorted something out by looking at one folder I could access for some unknown reason, a Users folder which was autoshared somehow.

1. Run fsmgmt.msc
2. Find your folder and right click | properties
3. Security tab | Add
4. Under search area enter [server]\users where server is the name of your computer
5. Grant permissions as appropriate after adding

No more access denied error. Very strange considering that I could see [e-mail] was a user with full control, yet still couldn't access. Why is this so complicated again?

Answer 2

Goto security tab under folder properties and add everyone read/write permission.check your firewall setting. Try sharing after disabling firewall. I know this is a security flaw, but you can check this way and can conclude where the problem exist.