File sharing over a network in Windows (2024)

To share a file or folder over a network in File Explorer, do the following:

1. Right-click (or long-press) a file, and then select Show more options >Give access to > Specific people.

   

2. Select a user on the network to share the file with, or select Everyone to give all network users access to the file.

If you select multiple files at once, you can share them all in the same way. It works for folders, too—share a folder, and all files in it will be shared.

Open File Explorer, then type \\localhost into the address bar.

Note:When you've shared a file from a folder in your user profile and you go to \\localhost, you'll see your user profile and all its files there. This doesn't mean that all of your files are shared—just that you have access to all your own files.

To troubleshoot problems with sharing files or folders, follow thestepsbelow on all computers from which you're trying to share.

• Update Windows. Ensuring all machines are as updated as they can be is key to making sure you aren't missing out on any driver or Windows updates.
  Open Windows Update

• Make sure the computers are on the same network. For example, ifyour computersconnect to the internet through a wireless router, make sure they all connect throughthe samewireless router.

• If you're on a Wi-Fi network, set it to Private. To find out how, readMake a Wi-Fi network public or private in Windows.

• Turn on network discovery and file and printer sharing, and turn off password protected sharing.

  1. Select the Start button, then select Settings .

  2. In the Find a setting search bar, type manage advanced sharing settings and select Manage advanced sharing settings from the suggested results.

  3. In the Advanced sharing settings window that appears, under Private, select Turn on Network discovery and Turn on file and printer sharing.

  4. Under All Networks, select Turn off password protected sharing.

• Make sharing services start automatically.

  1. Press the Windows logokey+ R.

  2. In the Run dialog box, type services.msc, and then select OK.

  3. Right-click each of the following services,select Properties, if they're not running, select Start, and next to Startup type, select Automatic:

     • Function Discovery Provider Host

     • Function Discovery Resource Publication

     • SSDP Discovery

     • UPnP Device Host

To share a file or folder in File Explorer, do one of the following:

• Right-click or press a file, select Give access to > Specific people.

  

• Select a file, select the Share tab at the top of File Explorer, and then in the Share with section select Specific people.

  

Select a user on the network to share the file with, or select Everyone to give all network users access to the file.

If you select multiple files at once, you can share them all in the same way. It works for folders, too—share a folder, and all files in it will be shared.

To stop sharing in File Explorer, do one of the following:

• Right-click or press a file or folder, then select Give access to > Remove access.

  

• Select a file or folder, select the Share tab at the top of File Explorer, and then in the Share with section select Remove access.

  

Open File Explorer, then type \\localhost into the address bar.

Note:When you've shared a file from a folder in your user profile and you go to \\localhost, you'll see your user profile and all its files there. This doesn't mean that all of your files are shared—just that you have access to all your own files.

To troubleshoot problems with sharing files or folders, follow thestepsbelow on all computers from which you're trying to share.

• Update Windows.Ensuring all machines are as updated as they can be is key to making sure you aren't missing out on any driver or Windows updates.
  Open Windows Update

• Make sure the computers are on the same network. For example, ifyour computersconnect to the internet through a wireless router, make sure they all connect throughthe samewireless router.

• If you're on a Wi-Fi network, set it to Private. To find out how, readMake a Wi-Fi network public or private in Windows.

• Turn on network discovery and file and printer sharing, and turn off password protected sharing.

  1. Select the Start button, then select Settings > Network & internet, and on the right side, select Sharing options.

  2. Under Private, select Turn on Network discovery and Turn on file and printer sharing.

  3. Under All Networks, select Turn off password protected sharing.

• Make sharing services start automatically.

  1. Press the Windows logokey+ R.

  2. In the Run dialog box, type services.msc, and then select OK.

  3. Right-click each of the following services,select Properties, if they're not running, select Start, and next to Startup type, select Automatic:

     • Function Discovery Provider Host

     • Function Discovery Resource Publication

     • SSDP Discovery

     • UPnP Device Host