I have a small network of Win 7 computers, peer-peer same workgroup. All have the same user name and password and the data folders are shared amongst all in read only mode. Is there any way that I can allow the data to be changed but no file or folder deletions allowed over network?
On the host computer, you can try to edit authorizations of your shared folder (Properties -> Security -> Advanced) to disallow deletion for everyone (or modify authorizations for each User that have actually full access). You can also create a special User to allow it to delete folders and files for this shared folder for administration purpose. Please note that disallow deletion will disallow renaming. You have to create a subfolder (or file) with the definitive name (command : md "Folder_name"). An exemple if you share your folder with "Everyone" ("Tout le monde" on my pic because it's in french) :