Windows 7 running in VirtualBox cannot see shared folders

Typically it just shows up a fake-virtual-server on the network - you can access it as though you would a file share on some real server. The name is VBOXSVR.

\\Vboxsvr\share_name

I haven't tested Win7 yet, but I have used this functionality on everything from Win200 through 2003. Do you have the guest additions installed?

This is what worked for me.

1. On the host computer right click the folder you want to share, go to Properties->Local Network share->Share this folder. If the host computer is Linux like mine, you have to install Samba. Do this on either from the terminal or from the Software Center.
2. On Windows 7 on your VM go to Devices (at the menu bar)->Add Guest Additions.
3. On your VM go to Start->Computer.
4. At the top part click on Map network drive.
5. Choose the shared folder under VBOXSVR.

Once you've added your Shared Folders in Settings of your Windows VM, they should appear.

If they not, you need to install Virtual Guest Additions on your virtual machine, by selecting Insert Guest Additions CD Image from the Devices menu (on your running VM window). After that, shared folders should be available once your Windows machine is fully booted.