Guide to Sharing a Folder on a Private Network and Accessing It from Another Computer

Step 1: Activate File and Printer Sharing

To start sharing folders, first, you need to enable file and printer sharing on your system.

1. Access Settings by clicking the Start menu and selecting the gear icon.
2. Navigate to Network & Internet.
3. Scroll down and select Advanced network settings.
4. Click on Advanced sharing settings.
5. In the Private networks section, toggle on Network discovery and File and printer sharing.
6. Check the box for Set up network connected devices automatically.
7. Click on Save changes.

Pro Tip: Ensure your firewall settings allow file and printer sharing for a seamless connection.

Step 2: Share a Folder

Now that you’ve activated sharing features, let’s share a specific folder.

1. Open File Explorer by pressing Windows + E.
2. Find the folder you want to share.
3. Right-click the folder and select Properties.
4. Navigate to the Sharing tab.
5. Click the Share button.
6. In the Network access window, enter the username you wish to share with or select Everyone.
7. Click on the Add button.
8. Choose a permission level from the drop-down menu beside the username (either Read or Read/Write ).
9. Click Share, then select Done.

Step 3: Verify Network Classification

It’s crucial to ensure that your network is classified as private for successful sharing.

1. Access Settings from the Start menu.
2. Go to Network & Internet.
3. Select your active connection (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet ).
4. Click on the network properties link.
5. Confirm that the connection is set as a Private Network.

Step 4: Map a Network Drive

Mapping a network drive makes it easier to access your shared folders frequently.

1. Launch File Explorer using Windows + E.
2. Right-click on This PC and select Map network drive.
3. Select a drive letter from the drop-down list.
4. In the Folder box, type the shared folder path in the format \\ComputerName\SharedFolder.
5. If desired, check Reconnect at sign-in to automatically map the drive at every login.
6. Press Finish.

Pro Tip: Use meaningful drive letters to keep your mapped drives organized and easily identifiable.

Step 5: Access a Shared Folder from Another Computer

To access the shared folder from another device, follow these steps.

1. Open File Explorer with Windows + E.
2. Click on Network in the left sidebar.
3. If prompted, enable Network discovery.
4. Find the computer name that hosts the shared folder.
5. Double-click on the computer name and browse to the shared folder.

Pro Tip: If access is denied, ensure you have the necessary credentials for that PC.

Can I share folders with users outside of my private network?

What if I forget my shared folder password?