Use the "Maximize throughput for file sharing" trick
As per the ServerFault Q/A titled "Intermittent connection to Windows 7 shared folder from Windows XP workstations" there's an old trick on Windows machines involving "How to Optimize Windows NT Server Using the Registry."
When you configure one of the four options for the Server service, the information is saved to the following two registry keys: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\lanmanserver\parameters\size Your choices for this registry key are 1,2 and 3. 1 = Minimize Memory Used 2 = Balance 3 = Maximize Throughput for File Sharing and Maximize Throughput for Network Applications HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management\LargeSystemCache
Your choices for this registry key are 0 and 1. 1 = Maximize Throughput for File Sharing 0 = Maximize Throughput for Network Applications
