Dan the Computer Man

Network File Sharing

Prerequisites on Server or Host

1. Private Network (not Public)
2. File and Printer Sharing enabled
3. Network Discovery (nice but not critical)
4. Password Protected Sharing enabled
   (now required in recent versions of Windows 11)
5. Windows password for user account on the server (source computer)
   (now required in recent versions of Windows 11)
   (If no password on user account, a second account may be created with a password)
6. Network Permissions for Shared Folder
   Properties of folder, Advanced Sharing, Permissions, (Add), Everyone, Full Control
7. NTFS Permissions (separate from Network Permissions)
   Properties of folder, Security, Edit, (Add), Everyone, Full Control

On the Client Side

1. Find the shared folder
   (If not visible under Network, type into Windows Explorer using syntax below)
2. A firewall may obstruct filesharing. Turn it off if needed to troubleshoot.
3. Enter the username and password from step 5 above
   (stored in Control Panel > Credential Manager > Windows Credentials)
   (If it does not ask for user/pwd, go to Credential Manager and enter them)
4. You may create a shortcut to make it easier to find the shared folders

Syntax

Double Backslash, Computer Name, Backslash, Shared Folder Name

• \\ComputerName\SharedFolder\Subfolder

See also Microsoft Support: File sharing over a network in Windows