sharing files from windows 7 to osx

I've had heaps of grief trying to move files between Mac and PC in the past, but since last time both have been upgraded, to Snow Leopard and Win 7 respectively. So I thought I'd have another go.

Now I'll note first that sharing files between machines has been vastly simiplified by using Dropbox (if you're not using it, seriously stop reading and go download it now. Back? OK, your sharing woes might already be over...).

However I ran into a situation where I wanted to share a file from my main machine to the MBP but I didn't want to pump it through Dropbox.

Turns out now it's pretty easy, and this time actually worked:

1. Share the folder on the Win7 machine (ensuring the intended user account has access to the folder)
2. On the Mac, hit (apple)+K or Go → Connect to Server
3. Enter smb://computername
4. About the only hassle: you will have to log in with a username and password that exists on the Win7 machine if you haven't enabled Guest access. I just went straight to that option as it's me on both machines so whatever.
5. Once you complete the login you can see the shared folder(s).

To my great surprise, this worked first go. The way it's supposed to work actually worked. Even for me. WOW.

In the end the file was so big (3.7 gigs) it was too painful to transfer via wifi (not the Mac's fault there); so I dumped it on a USB drive. But, it's good to know sharing works for other files.