How to View Files on a Networked Computer

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This guide teaches you how to view files on a networked computer. On Windows, you can do this with File Explorer—just click Network in the left panel, select the networked computer, and browse the folders and files. Read on to learn more, as well as how to view networked files on a Mac.

Quick Steps

  1. Press Windows key + E to open File Explorer.
  2. Click Network in the left panel.
  3. Double-click the networked computer, or enter its address and press Enter .
  4. Log in if needed to view files and folders.

For popular FAQs on accessing networked files, jump to more common questions .

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Using Windows 10

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  1. File Explorer has an icon that resembles a folder with a blue clip. Click the File Explorer icon, or press E + Win to open File Explorer.
  2. It's the last item in the panel to the left. It has an icon that resembles a computer monitor next to a globe.
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  3. The address bar is at the top of File Explorer in the Network section. The network address for a computer is usually "\\computer name". You can also use the IP address of the computer you want to access. If you don't know the name of the computer you want to access, you can use the following steps to find it on the computer:
    • Click the Start button.
    • Click the Settings icon that resembles a gear.
    • Click About .
    • Note the name next to "Device name".
  4. For Windows computers, you need to enter the email address and password associated with the Microsoft account of the computer user. For Mac computers, you need to enter the username and password you use to log in to that computer.
  5. Files and folders can be shared over a network. Click a shared folder under Network to view the files within.
    • If no folders or files are visible, ask the computer user to share a folder over the network. If you are unable to log-in, contact your network administrator.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using MacOS

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  1. The Finder has an icon that resembles a blue and white smiley face. Click the Finder icon in the Dock to open the Finder.
  2. It's in the menu bar at the top of the screen. This displays the "Go" menu.
  3. It's at the bottom of the "Go" menu.
  4. Enter the computer name under "Server Address". It's the first bar at the top of the "Connect to Server" window. You can enter the "smb://computer name" or you can just enter the computer name.
  5. It's the blue button in the lower-right corner of the "Connect to Server" window.
  6. For Windows computers, you need to enter the email address and password associated with the Microsoft account of the computer user. For Mac computers, you need to enter the username and password you use to log in to that computer.
  7. This displays the contents of the folder in the Finder. Click any file in the folder to view it.
    • If you are unable to view shared files or folders on the network, ask the Mac user to share folders over the network. If you are unable to log in, contact an administrator.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

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  1. This displays the Start menu. By default, the Windows Start menu is in the taskbar in the lower-left corner.
  2. It's the icon that resembles a gear. It's to the left in the Windows Start menu.
  3. It's next to an icon that resembles a globe in the Settings menu.
  4. It's next to an icon that resembles a file cabinet. It's near the top of the Status menu in Settings.
    • If you do not see this option, click Status in the panel to the left.
  5. To turn on Network Discovery, click the radio button next to "Turn on network discovery".
  6. To turn on File and Printer Sharing, click the radio button next to "Turn on file and printer sharing".
  7. It's in the lower-right corner of the Advanced Sharing Settings window. This saves your changes.
  8. It's the tab that resembles a gear in the taskbar. You should still have the Network Status menu open.
  9. It's near the top of the Status menu in Settings.
  10. Click the radio button next to "Private" below "Network Profile" to ensure your Network profile is set to "Private".
  11. File Explorer has an icon that resembles a folder with a blue clip. Click the File Explorer icon, or press E + Win to open File Explorer.
  12. Use File Explorer to navigate to a folder you want to share. Right-click the folder to display a pop-up menu.
  13. It's at the bottom of the menu that pops up when you right-click a folder.
  14. It's the second tab at the top of the Properties menu.
  15. It's the first button under the sharing tab near the top.
  16. Use the drop-down menu at the top of the share menu to select who you want to share the folder with. You can share with a specific user, an administrator, or everyone. Click add after you select a user you want to share.
  17. This shares the folder over the network.
  18. This closes the window.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

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  1. |techicon|x30px|alt=]]. It's in the upper-left corner in the menu bar at the top of the screen. This displays the Apple menu.
  2. It's the second option from the top of the Apple Menu. This opens the System Preferences menu.
  3. It has an icon that resembles a blue folder with a yellow sign on the front. This opens the Sharing menu.
  4. This displays the File Sharing menu.
  5. This opens a Finder window you can use to select an add folders you want to share.
  6. Use the Finder window to navigate to a folder you want to share over the network. Click the folder to select it and click Add in the lower-right corner. This adds the folder to the shared network.
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Common Questions

How do I connect to another computer through File Explorer?

Open File Explorer, type the computer name preceded by two backslashes—e.g., \\my-networked-computer , and press Enter . Alternatively, you can click Network in the left panel of File Explorer, then double-click the computer you want to connect to. [1]

How do I use an IP address in File Explorer?

Instead of typing \\my-networked-computer into the address bar, just type the IP address of the computer you want to connect to.

How do I add a shared network drive?

Open File Explorer, click This PC in the left panel, click the Computer tab at the top, and select Map network drive . You can now select a drive letter, type the path of the folder you want to access (or click Browse to find one), and then click Finish . [2]

How do I find the path for my mapped drive?

Type cmd into the Windows search bar, then click Command Prompt in the search results. Type net use and press Enter to find the UNC paths for all networked drives. [3]

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References

  1. ↑ https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/1347444/how-do-you-connect-with-another-computer-via-netwo
  2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/map-a-network-drive-in-windows-29ce55d1-34e3-a7e2-4801-131475f9557d
  3. ↑ https://service.purdue.edu/TDClient/32/Purdue/KB/ArticleDet?ID=229
  4. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Sharing-files-with-the-Public-folder
  5. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Share-files-with-someone

About This Article

Article Summary X

1. Open File Explorer on Windows or the Finder on Mac.
2. Click Network on Windows or Go on Mac.
3. Enter the network address for the networked computer in the address bar and press Enter .
4. Enter the username and password and press Enter .
5. Select a shared folder.

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