How to Enable File Sharing

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If you're the administrator of a local network , enabling file sharing will ensure that your users always have access to important files. You'll always able to control which folders are shared and what level of access to give your users. As long as the computer hosting the shared folder is connected to the local network, the shared folder will be accessible to all who need it.

Quick Guide: Enabling File Sharing on Windows 10

Open your Control Panel and open the Network and Internet settings. Select View network status and tasks > Change advanced settings > Turn on file and printer sharing . Once file sharing is enabled, you can press Save Changes . You may need to enter your admin password to make this change.

Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Windows 10

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  1. You can share any folder on your Windows 10 system with other users on your local network. When you press this key combination, a search box will appear.
  2. Now you'll see the Control Panel.
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  3. This link appears just beneath the “Network and Internet” header in the main pane. [1]
  4. Now you'll see options for File and Printer sharing.
  5. If you are prompted to enter your Administrator password to save the changes, do so. Note: Screenshot shows "Turn on network discovery", it should have been File and printer sharing [2]
  6. Now that File Sharing is enabled, you can share a folder on your system.
  7. The File Explorer will open on your desktop.
  8. You'll need to select a folder to share rather than an individual file. Use the navigation pane on the left side of Explorer to browse for the folder.
  9. A Properties panel for this folder will appear on the screen.
  10. Since the folder is not yet shared, you'll see “Not Shared” just below its name under “Network File and Folder Sharing.”
  11. The contents of this window are mostly grayed-out.
  12. The previously grayed-out contents are now editable.
  13. The name you type here is what other users will see when they access the folder.
  14. Now you'll set the permissions for all users on the network who will access the folder.
  15. When this group is selected, you'll be able to change everyone on the network's permissions for this folder at once.
    • If you'd rather just share the folder with one person, click “Add” and then select the person's username from the list. Then, click to select that user.
  16. Place checks next to “Allow” or “Deny” for each of the following options:
    • Full Control: Allows everyone to read, delete, and edit files in this folder. This also grants this user the ability to change permissions on the folder.
    • Change: Allows everyone to read, delete, and edit files in the folder but not change permissions.
    • Read: Allows everyone to view files in the folder and run programs. Users cannot change files in the folder if this is the only option allowed.
  17. The folder is now shared.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Windows 8.1

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  1. Before you can share files from your Windows 8.1 computer with the rest of your local network, you'll need to make the computer “discoverable.”
  2. The PC Settings screen will appear.
  3. A list of networks will appear in the right panel.
  4. If you see more than one network listed, use the one that says “connected” beneath its name.
  5. Once you do this, the computer will be discoverable on the network, which means that other users on the network will be able to find the folder(s) you share.
  6. Now you'll get ready to share your first folder.
  7. This will launch the Windows File Explorer.
  8. Use the sidebar on the left to navigate your folder structure until you find the folder you want to share with other users on the network.
  9. Don't double-click—just click once.
  10. Some sharing options will appear at the top of this tab.
  11. The “File Sharing” dialog will appear.
  12. This allows everyone on the network access to this folder. You'll be able to define which type of access they have in just a moment.
  13. The folder is now shared with members of the network. To see your files, they can open the File Explorer and click the “Network” icon.
  14. Now you'll decide the type of access that “Everyone” has. The Folder Properties screen will appear. [3]
  15. This dialog shows all the security settings for the folder.
  16. This will open the “Permissions for [folder]” screen. [4]
  17. If you don't see “Everyone” listed:
    • Click “Add.”
    • Type “Everyone” into the blank.
    • Click “Add.”
  18. Under “Permissions for (Everyone)”, decide what sort of access you'd like to provide:
    • Full Control: Allows everyone to read, delete, and edit files in this folder. This also grants this user the ability to change permissions on the folder.
    • Change: Allows everyone to read, delete, and edit files in the folder but not change permissions.
    • Read and execute: Allows everyone to view files in the folder and run programs. Users cannot modify files in the folder if this is the only option selected.
    • List folder contents: Allows users to see a list of files in the folder.
  19. The files are now accessible by users connected to your network.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

macOS

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  1. You can share files from your macOS system with other users on your local network (even if they are using Windows). The first thing you'll need to do is enable File Sharing.
  2. This is where you can change sharing options and security permissions for users on your system. [5]
  3. When this box is checked, you'll see “File Sharing: On” on the main pane. [6]
  4. If you want to be able to share a folder with Windows users on your network, you'll need to create a special account for them. [7]
  5. This will give you permission to add a new account to the system.
  6. Here's how to configure the account so it's used only for sharing:
    • Click the “+” to add a new account.
    • Select “Sharing Only” from the “New Account” menu.
    • Select “Use separate password” rather than the cloud option.
    • Enter a username and password for the account.
    • Click “Create User.” When Windows users access the shared folder, they'll need to use this username and password to log in.
  7. Now you'll decide which folders to share.
  8. A navigation window will appear. [8]
  9. The folder name will now appear under “Shared Folders.”
  10. Here you'll see options for file sharing protocols.
  11. This tells your Mac to share files with AFP (Apple Filing Protocol).
  12. If you will never need to share with a Windows computer on your network, you can skip this step.
  13. Now you'll return to the Sharing screen.
  14. A list of user accounts and groups will appear.
  15. Select the user account you just created, and then select either “Read,” “Read and Write,” or “Write” from the list on the right.
    • Choose “Read & Write” if you want the Windows users to be able to read, edit, and delete items in this folder. [9]
    • Choose “Write” if you want users to be able to use this folder as a “drop box” but not be able to edit or delete files.
    • Alternatively, you can leave this on “Read” so nobody else can modify the folder.
  16. By default, all users on the network (the “Everyone” group) have Read access. This means they can view files in the shared folder but not make changes. To change this:
    • Click to select “Everyone” in the Users list.
    • Choose “Read & Write” from the right panel if you want users on the network to view, edit, and delete files in this folder.
    • Select “Write” to use this folder as a “drop box,” so that people can copy files there but not view or modify anything.
    • Alternatively, you can leave this on “Read” so nobody else can modify the folder.
  17. Now that the folder is shared, any user on your network should be able to locate it in Finder beneath “Shared.” [10]
    • If the folder does not appear under “Shared,” browse the network by double-clicking “All…” and the folders should appear.
  18. If you enabled SMB for Windows users, here's how to locate the address to which they'll connect: [11]
    • Open System Preferences
    • Open the Sharing pane.
    • Make note of the IP address that starts with “smb” (e.g. smb://172.1.1.1).
    • Windows users will connect to this address and log in with the account you created earlier. They'll be able to view any files shared with that user upon a successful login.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Windows 7

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  1. The System Properties panel will open.
  2. Now you'll see “Network File and Folder Sharing” and “Advanced Sharing.”
  3. This will open the Advanced Sharing properties panel.
  4. Now you'll be able to set sharing parameters for this folder.
  5. When the folder is shared on the network, this is the name others will see.
  6. Now you'll be able to decide who gets to see or modify the folder.
  7. If you want to share the folder with everyone one your Windows network, select “Everyone.” This is common for basic file sharing on a local network.
  8. Under “Permissions for (Everyone)”, set the permissions:
    • Full Control: Allows everyone to read, delete, and edit files in this folder. This also grants this user the ability to change permissions on the folder.
    • Change: Allows everyone to read, delete, and edit files in the folder but not change permissions.
    • Read: Allows everyone to read all files in the folder but not make changes.
  9. Now you'll need to make some quick modifications to the Everyone user group.
  10. This should be the same folder you just shared.
  11. This tab is right next to the “Sharing” tab you clicked earlier.
  12. Now you'll see the user permissions screen.
  13. This button appears just below the “Group or user names” box.
  14. You'll return to the user permissions screen.
  15. Keep clicking “OK” buttons until there are no more “OK” buttons to click.
  16. Now when you want to share more folders, you'll be able to add the “Everyone” group quickly. Here's how to do it on another folder.
  17. Select “Everyone” to set the permissions for Everyone.
  18. Just as you did earlier, decide whether you want Everyone to have Full Control, Change, or Read access to the folder. You'll be able to do this with any folder in the future.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Windows Vista

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  1. You can enable file sharing on a Windows Vista computer to make any file or folder accessible to others in the same Workgroup. [12] Connect the computer to the network on which you'd like to share files.
  2. Before you can share files, you'll need to make some changes in the Network and Sharing Center.
  3. You should see your computer name at the top of the screen, and network information just below.
  4. You'll see this link at the top left corner of the Network and Sharing Center. [13]
  5. This will open the connection properties screen. [14]
    • If you are prompted by Windows to enter your Administrator password or approve changes, you can do so now (and at any other point in this method).
  6. This service needs to be active to share files across the network.
  7. The window will close and you'll return to the Network and Sharing Center.
  8. If you see a green circle and the word “On” next to “Network Discovery,” skip to the next step. Otherwise, click the down-arrow next to “Network Discovery” and click “Turn on network discovery.” [15]
  9. This will expand the File Sharing settings panel.
  10. The circle next to “File Sharing” will turn green.
  11. If prompted to enter your password, do so.
  12. Now you'll see a dialog box full options with checkboxes next to them.
    • If you don't see this icon, switch to Classic View by clicking the “Classic View” link in the left menu. [16]
  13. This will make it easy to share files across the network just by right-clicking a file or folder.
  14. When you're ready to share a file or folder with the network, just right-click on it and click “Share” to open the Sharing Wizard.
  15. Select the users with whom you'd like to share the file or folder and click “Share.” The file will now be shared with that user. [17]
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  • Question
    How can I share files between two laptops?
    Stan Kats
    Professional Technologist
    Stan Kats is a Professional Technologist and the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan holds a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. He began his career working in the Fortune 500 IT world. Stan founded his companies to offer an enterprise-level of expertise for small businesses and individuals.
    Stan Kats
    Professional Technologist
    Expert Answer
    There are various suitable ways you can do this. There are file sharing services, like Microsoft's OneDrive, Dropbox and Google Drive. These are the 3 most popular services. There is also a built-in networking feature between Windows and Mac OS - to use this, create a shared folder and grant access to the other machine and pull the files across. That is a little more complex though, so it's always easiest to use the sharing services.
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.isunshare.com/windows-10/turn-on-or-off-file-and-printer-sharing-in-windows-10.html
      2. ↑ http://www.isunshare.com/windows-10/turn-on-or-off-file-and-printer-sharing-in-windows-10.html
      3. ↑ https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc754344(v=ws.11).aspx
      4. ↑ https://www.digitalcitizen.life/take-ownership-and-change-permissions-files-and-folders/
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204445
      6. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204445
      7. ↑ https://support.auralic.com/hc/en-us/articles/206855007-Create-network-shared-folder-on-Mac-OS-X
      8. ↑ https://support.auralic.com/hc/en-us/articles/206855007-Create-network-shared-folder-on-Mac-OS-X
      9. ↑ https://support.auralic.com/hc/en-us/articles/206855007-Create-network-shared-folder-on-Mac-OS-X
      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204445
      2. ↑ https://support.auralic.com/hc/en-us/articles/206855007-Create-network-shared-folder-on-Mac-OS-X
      3. ↑ https://www.vistax64.com/threads/simple-file-sharing-enable.126910/
      4. ↑ https://www.vistax64.com/threads/file-sharing-turn-on-or-off.126388/
      5. ↑ https://www.vistax64.com/threads/file-sharing-turn-on-or-off.126388/
      6. ↑ https://www.vistax64.com/threads/simple-file-sharing-enable.126910/
      7. ↑ https://www.vistax64.com/threads/simple-file-sharing-enable.126910/
      8. ↑ https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727037.aspx

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open Control Panel .
      2. Click View network status and tasks .
      3. Click Change advanced sharing settings .
      4. Select Turn on file and printer sharing .
      5. Click Save changes .
      6. Open File Explorer .
      7. Right-click the folder to share and select Properties .
      8. Click Advanced Sharing .
      9. Select "Share this folder" and name the share.
      10. Click Permissions to set permissions.
      11. Click OK .

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