Windows 7 forum: How does one create peer-to-peer network on Windows 7

Your average Ethernet cable and ports would not be wired right.

A crossover cable would be required to just use Ethernet ports without a hub or router. More at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto-MDIX

Your machine is not on Windows 98 so we can't count on auto mdix any longer. This is not only a hardware feature but controlled by driver software. The link explains why.
Bob

We would need to know more about the computer you are trying to connect to, including the OS. If it is running a different version of Windows (Vista or XP) set up a work group and follow this guide: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Networking-home-computers-running-different-versions-of-Windows.

Cheers,
Tara

I was told on another website that when trying to network these two you have to be sure to keep same user, password, and the same computer names for both systems and that IPX/SPX protocol had to be added to both OS and that Vista IPX/SPX works for Windows 7 and considering that Windows 7 is basically Vista incognito that makes sense. Trying to get Microsoft OS to work together is a pain and this is why Linux and IBM are constantly working to find new ways to make this possible I guess. Hope this helped I too will be trying to hook peer to peer Windows XP to Windows 7 good luck to both of us we will probably need it