How to Share a Folder Online: Complete Guide

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Everything you need to know about sending folders via a network or cloud services
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If you have a lot of files you want to share with a person or group of people, you can share those files by putting them in a folder and sharing the folder. The easiest way to share a folder is to use a cloud service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud. You can also share folders between computers on the same network. This wikiHow teaches you how to share folders using cloud services and over a network with expert tips from IT specialist Mitch Harris.

How to Share a Folder

You can easily share folders using cloud storage services like Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud Drive, and Dropbox. Just click the folder in your cloud storage and click the Share icon. You can share with a single person via email, or you can copy a link to share with others. You can also share folders with other computers connected to the same network.

Method 1
Method 1 of 8:

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  1. Navigate to https://drive.google.com/ in a web browser. You can use any web browser on a PC or Mac. This opens Google Drive in your web browser.
  2. It's the second tab at the top of the page. This displays all your folders uploaded to Google Drive.
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  3. It's the menu icon with three dots next to a folder's name. This will display a fly-out menu.
    • If you want to share more than one folder, hold Ctrl (or Command on Mac) and click the folders you want to share. Then click the icon with three dots ( ⋮ ) at the top of the page. To select more than one folder on mobile devices, simply tap and hold one folder and then tap every other folder you want to share.
  4. It's in the menu that appears when you click or tap the icon with three dots.
  5. By default, files and folders you upload to Google Drive are restricted and can't be accessed by other people who are not signed in to your Google account. Use the following steps to ensure access is granted to those you want to share the folder with:
    • Select the drop-down menu that says Restricted below the folders you want to share.
    • Select Any one with the link .
  6. There are two methods for sharing a folder in Google Drive. If you share a link, anyone with the link can access the folder. If the folder is restricted, only specific people in a group can access the folder. Use the following steps to share the folder with specific people or a group:
    • Enter the email address of the person(s) you want to share within the field that says "Add people, groups, and calendar events."
    • Type a message for the person (optional).
    • Click Send in the lower-right corner.
  7. To share a link with other people, the folder must be unrestricted. This means anybody with the link can view the folder. You can share the link in an email, private message, text message, social media post, memo, or any other platform. Use the following steps to share a link to a folder with people:
    • Click Copy Link .
    • Paste the link in a message to anyone you want to share it with.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 8:

Using OneDrive

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  1. Go to https://onedrive.live.com/ in a web browser. This is the website you can use to log in to OneDrive on the internet.
  2. This highlights the folder in blue and places a checkmark next to the item.
    • If you want to select more than one folder, hold Ctrl (or Command on Mac) and click the folders you want to share.
  3. It's the first option in the menu bar at the top of the page. It's next to an icon that resembles a box with a curved arrow.
    • Alternatively, you can right-click a folder in File Explorer in Windows. Then click OneDrive in the context menu and click Share .
  4. OneDrive allows you to share a folder with anyone with a link or specific people you choose and if they're allowed to edit the folder, or just view it. You can also add a password and an expiration date to the folder. If you need to manage access to the folder, use the following steps to do so:
    • Click the text above the lock icon in the lower-left corner.
    • Select who you can share a link with.
    • Use the first drop-down menu below "More Settings" to select if the people you share the folder with are allowed to edit it or just view it.
    • Use the box labeled "Set expiration date" to set an expiration date (optional).
    • Use the box labeled "Password" to set a password for the folder (optional).
    • Click Apply .
  5. To share the folder with a specific person, use the following steps to do so:
    • Enter the name or email of a person in the field that says "Enter name, group, or email.".
    • Enter a message for the person where it says "Add a message" (optional).
    • Click Send .
  6. If you want to copy a link to share with other people, use the following steps to do so: [1]
    • Make sure anyone with a link is allowed to view the folder.
    • Click Copy Link .
    • Paste the link in a message to another person.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 8:

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  1. Go to https://www.icloud.com/ in a web browser. You can use any web browser on a PC or Mac.
    • You can also access your iCloud drive using the Files app on your iPhone or iPad, or using the Finder on Mac. Just click or tap iCloud Drive in the menu bar to the left.
  2. Enter the email address and password associated with your Apple ID and click the arrow icon. Then you'll need to retrieve the verification code from your iPhone or iPad or text messages. Enter the verification code and click Verify .
  3. It's at the top of the box that has an icon that resembles a blue cloud. It's on the right-hand side. Click this icon to access your iCloud Drive in a web browser.
  4. It's the second option at the top of the menu on the left side.
  5. This highlights the folder in blue.
    • If you don't have a folder to share, you can click the icon that resembles a folder with a plus sign (+) at the top of the page. This creates a new folder.
  6. It has an icon that resembles a person with a plus sign (+). It's at the top of the page.
    • If this icon is dimmed out, this means the owner of that folder has not made that folder sharable. You will need to make it sharable on the device it was created on.
  7. There are two ways to share a folder in iCloud. You can share the folder over email in Apple Mail, or you can copy a link and send it to people. Use the following steps to share the folder over email:
    • Click the Email icon.
    • Click "Share' .
    • Enter the email address(es) of the people you want to share the folder within the "To:" field.
    • Compose a message.
    • Click Send .
  8. When you share a link with people, you can select if you want to allow anyone with the link to access the folder or only the people you invite. You select if you want to allow them to make changes to the folder or only be able to view it. You can share the link in an email, private message, social media post, text message, memo, or any other platform. Use the following steps to share the link to a folder:
    • Click Copy Link .
    • Click Share Options .
    • Use the "Who can access" drop-down menu to select "Only people you invite" or "Anyone with the link."
    • Use the "Permissions" drop-down menu to select "Can make changes" or "View only."
    • Enter the email addresses or phone numbers of the people you want to share the folder with (if access is set to "Invite Only") in the field that says "Add."
    • Click Share .
    • Click Copy Link .
    • Paste the link in a message to the person you want to share the folder with.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 8:

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  1. Go to https://www.dropbox.com/ in a web browser. You can use any web browser on a PC or Mac.
    • If you are not signed in to your Dropbox account, enter the email address and password associated with your Dropbox account and click Sign In .
    • Alternatively, you can use the mobile app on mobile devices.
  2. This highlights the folder in grey and displays a "Share" button to the right. If you are using a mobile device, this will open the folder.
    • If you don't have a folder to share, you can click New folder in the panel to the right to create a new folder, or click Upload folder to upload a folder from your computer.
  3. It's the button that appears to the right when you hover over a folder in Dropbox. On mobile devices, it's at the top of the page when you open the folder.
  4. You can either share the folder with a specific person or you can share a link to the folder. Use the following steps to share the folder with specific people:
    • Type the email address of the person(s) you want to share the folder in the line that says "Email, name or group."
    • Write a message for the recipient where it says "Optional message."
    • Click or tap Share .
  5. Once you create a link to a folder in Dropbox, anybody with the link can view the folder. You can share it in an email, private message, text message, social media post, memo or any other platform. Use the following steps to create and share a link to a folder in Dropbox.
    • Click Copy link n desktop or tap Create a link on mobile.
    • Tap Copy Link (mobile only)
    • Paste the link in a message to the person(s) you want to share the folder with.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 8:

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  1. In order to share a folder over a network in Windows, you need to enable network discovery and printer and file sharing in the Control Panel. Use the following steps to enable Printer and File Sharing and Network Discovery: [2]
    • Click the Windows Start menu.
    • Click the Gear/Settings icon.
    • Click Network and Internet .
    • Click Advanced network settings (Windows 11 only).
    • Click Network and Sharing Center (Windows 10).
    • Click Change advanced sharing settings (Windows 10) or Advanced sharing settings (Windows 11).
    • Select Public network or Private network .
    • Ensure "Turn on network discovery" is turned on.
    • Ensure "Turn on file and printer sharing" is on
    • Click Save Changes (Windows 10 only).
  2. It has an icon that resembles a folder with a blue clip. Click the icon or press the Windows key and "E" at the same time to open File Explorer.
  3. Use File Explorer to navigate to a folder you want to share. Then right-click it and click Properties . This opens a pop-up menu next to the folder. Click Properties at the bottom of the pop-up menu.
  4. It's at the top of the Properties menu. This displays the sharing options.
  5. This opens a window with options for how you want to share the folder.
  6. Use the drop-down menu at the top to select who you want to share the folder with. You can share it with a specific user, the admin, guests, or everyone. Click Add when you are finished.
  7. It's in the lower-right corner. This shares the folder.
  8. To select a permission level, click the drop-down menu below "Permission Level" and to the right of the user, you are sharing the folder with. You can select either Read or Read/Write . "Read only" allows users to view the folder, but not make changes. "Read/Write" allows users to view the folder and make changes.
  9. It's in the lower-right corner. This closes the Network Access Window.
  10. It's at the top of the Sharing tab below "Network Path". Those who want to access the shared folder may need this information.
    • Harris explains that you can share folders on a Windows with a Mac computer as long as it's done over a public network. Windows has a lower security standard than macOS. Therefore, there are extra settings you need to do to share folders with a Mac over a private network.
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Method 6
Method 6 of 8:

Accessing Shared Windows Folders

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  1. In order to access a shared folder over a network in Windows, you need to enable network discovery and printer and file sharing in the Control Panel. Use the following steps to enable Printer and File Sharing and Network Discovery:
    • Click the Windows Start menu.
    • Click the Gear/Settings icon.
    • Click Network and Internet .
    • Click Advanced network settings (Windows 11 only).
    • Click Network and Sharing Center (Windows 10).
    • Click Change advanced sharing settings (Windows 10) or Advanced sharing settings (Windows 11).
    • Ensure "Turn on network discovery" is turned on.
    • Ensure "Turn on file and printer sharing" is on
    • Click Save Changes (Windows 10 only).
  2. It has an icon that resembles a folder with a blue clip. Click the icon or press the Windows key and "E" at the same time to open File Explorer.
  3. It's in the panel to the left. This displays computers that you have access to over a network.
  4. This displays files and folders that are shared from that computer.
    • If the computer you want to access is not listed, you may need to enter the network path in the address bar at the top.
  5. Depending on how the owner of the folder has their share settings set up, you may need to enter the username and password they use to log in to access shared folders on that computer.
  6. This opens the folder and allows you to access it.
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Method 7
Method 7 of 8:

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  1. Make sure you are logged in as an Administrator. Use the following steps to open System Settings:
    • Click the Apple icon in the upper-left corner.
    • Click System Settings ( System Preferences on older versions of macOS).
  2. It's near the top of the menu bar on the left side.
    • If you are using an older version of macOS, click Sharing instead. It has an icon that resembles a blue folder with a crosswalk sign on it.
  3. It's in the panel on the right. You may need to scroll down a bit.
  4. It's near the top of the menu.
  5. It's the icon that has a circle around an "i". It's next to the File Sharing toggle switch.
  6. This opens a Finder window that allows you to select a folder to share.
  7. Navigate to the folder you want to share and click it to select it. Then click Add in the lower-right corner to add it to the list of shared folders. [3]
  8. Use the following steps to add users you want to share the folder with.
    • Click the folder in the "Shared Folders" box.
    • Click the plus sign ( + ) below the "Users" box.
    • Click Users & Groups or Contacts in the box on the left.
    • Select an user.
    • Click "Select' .
  9. "Read & Write" allows the user to view and modify the folder. "Read only" only allows the user to view the folder but not make any changes. "Write only" allows the user to copy files to the folder, but not view it. Use the following steps to change the shared permissions for a shared folder.
    • Click the folder in the "Shared Folders" box.
    • Click the drop-down menu
    • Select "Read & Write", "Read Only," or "Write Only (Drop Box)."
  10. When you are done adding shared folders and editing their shared settings, click Done in the lower right corner.
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Method 8
Method 8 of 8:

Accessing Shared Mac Folders

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  1. It has an icon that resembles a blue and white smiley face. It's in the Dock at the bottom of Mac OS.
  2. It's in the menu bar at the top of the screen. This displays a drop-down menu.
  3. It's at the bottom of the drop-down menu below "Go."
  4. This information is displayed in the Share menu when a user shares a file or folder over the network. Then click Connect in the lower-right corner.
    • Harris explains that you can access Windows folders on a Mac computer, but the Windows naming convention is a little different. Make sure you know the exact IP address of the Windows computer you want to connect to.
  5. Depending on how the user has their share settings set up, you may need to enter the username and password they use to sign in to their computer to access shared folders. Then click Connect in the lower-right corner.
  6. Once you have connected to a shared computer, click the computer in Finder to access its shared folders. Shared computers are listed in the panel to the left under "Shared."
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  • Question
    How do I share multiple computers running Windows 7 and partitions on a small office network?
    Community Answer
    To consolidate them and allow for ease of backup, you'll probably want to use a PC as a dedicated file server, storing all shared files and folders.
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      Warnings

      • Keep track of who you are sharing your folders with. If there is content you do not want seen, changed, or deleted, make sure to disable sharing permission.
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      • Unprotected wireless networks will allow nearby users you may not know with wireless access to access your folder.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/share-onedrive-files-and-folders-9fcc2f7d-de0c-4cec-93b0-a82024800c07
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/file-sharing-over-a-network-in-windows-b58704b2-f53a-4b82-7bc1-80f9994725bf
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/set-up-file-sharing-on-mac-mh17131/mac

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Turn on Windows File and Printer Sharing.
      2. Right-click the folder you want to share.
      3. Click Share with .
      4. Click Specific people .
      5. Select permissions for the person you're sharing with.
      6. Click Share .

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