At Office Lifeline we're big users of Web Folders and setting these up via Network Places using XP is a doddle. Vista initially had problems with Network Places which are now fixed in Service Pack 1, and unbelievably Microsoft has released Windows7 with a similar problem.
This occurs when you try to create a new Network Place. When you get to the point of entering a valid website folder URL you get a message saying "The folder you entered does not appear to be valid. Please choose another" and there's no getting round it.
The good news is that there is a “simple workaround” as the techies describe it – not quite a simple as you might hope I’m afraid – see this link to the workaround at Tech Gremlin. Basically, you need to download the “Virtual XP” software from Microsoft, so you can then add a network place using Windows XP.
Download the software free from the Microsoft website which has instructions for downloading and installing. The big BUT in all this is that it only works for Windows7 Professional and above so, if you have the Starter or Home Premium edition you will have to upgrade first... upgrading from Home to Professional will cost you c.£120.
The Tech Gremlin workaround instructions start from the point where you have installed this software and have started up the Virtual XP application. From there, it's just like you are using XP to Add a Network Place using the wizard we’re all familiar with.
We are still looking for a fix that works with Windows7 Home Premium.
We are offering the same advise as we did for Vista; wait until Service Pack 1 is released before you move to Windows7, there are always teething troubles which Microsoft expect us to find for them, which can be a real nuisance at best and crippling at worst. Avoid buying that new PC for a while if you can.
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