How to Share Files Wirelessly

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Sharing wirelessly allows multiple users to access files without downloading them separately; e.g.: a shared music folder allowing more than one person to listen to the same files. This wikiHow will teach you how to share files wirelessly. To set up wireless sharing, find the file you'd like to share, right-click on it and select the proper permissions. If both the sending and receiving computers run Windows 10, they can use Nearby sharing to share files.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

macOS

PDF download Download Article
  1. The Apple logo is in the top-left corner of your screen.
  2. You’ll see a new window with four categories, including “Internet & Wireless.” This section has a “Sharing” Folder.
    • If you don’t see these categories, click the button with 12 dots located at the top of the window. This button will take you to the main “System Preferences” page on macOS.
    Advertisement
  3. The icon looks like a blue folder with a person walking inside a yellow sign. You’ll see a new window with several options at the left, including “File Sharing.”
  4. You'll see this in the menu on the left side of the window.
  5. This will open Finder, allowing you to find a folder to share.
  6. Find it by navigating the “Places” option on the left, which includes a “Desktop” folder, “Documents” folder, etc.
    • Public folders in each user will be shared automatically. If you don't want to share a folder, select it, then click - .
  7. You should see the folder you added under the “Shared Folders" and everyone on your network can view those files. [1]
    • You can also share files via AirDrop.
    8. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Windows 8 and 10

PDF download Download Article
  1. The File Explorer icon looks like a folder and is located on the right side of the taskbar.
    • You can also use the keyboard shortcut and press Win + E .
  2. Your folders are on the left side of File Explorer and your files display on the right side of the window.
    • To find a file from your Desktop, click the “Desktop” folder on the left.
    • You can also type the name of the file you’re looking for into the search box in the upper-right corner of the screen and click the magnifying glass for search results.
  3. You will see a pop-up menu with “Properties” at the bottom.
  4. Another window will pop up to the right of the menu.
  5. You'll be able to add different users from your computer and network to this list.
  6. To stop sharing this folder or file, right-click the file again in File Explorer, then select Remove access . [2]
    7. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using Nearby Sharing in Windows 10

PDF download Download Article
  1. In the action center (which opens when you click the speech bubble icon in the taskbar), click the tiles to enable Bluetooth and Nearby sharing. Blue tiles are active and enabled, while grey tiles are disabled.
    • Both the sharing computer and the computer getting the shared file must be using Windows 10 version 1803 or later, Bluetooth, and Nearby share. You can find the settings for Nearby sharing in Settings > System > Shared experiences and Bluetooth in Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices .
    • Even though this method explicitly uses files as examples when you're sharing, you can also share image files the same way.
  2. The File Explorer icon looks like a folder and is located on the right side of the taskbar.
    • You can also use the keyboard shortcut and press Win + E .
  3. Your folders are on the left side of File Explorer and your files display on the right side of the window.
    • To find a file from your Desktop, click the “Desktop” folder on the left.
    • You can also type the name of the file you’re looking for into the search box in the upper-right corner of the screen and click the magnifying glass for search results.
  4. You'll see it highlight to indicate that it has been selected.
  5. It's at the top of your File Explorer window with Home and View .
  6. The icon looks like a curved arrow pointing out of an open box.
  7. Under "Nearby devices" you should see your other computer listed.
  8. On the computer receiving the file, you have the option to save or view the file right away, but you have to save the file to continue. [3]
    • If you have the Photos app open, you can also use Nearby sharing to share your photos.
    9. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I share files between two Windows computers wirelessly?
    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
    Create a shared folder on the first computer. Assign a user and password to access it. Then, on your second computer, open Explorer and find that computer in the list on the left. And from there, you simply pick the computer, enter the username and password, and then you can drag and drop files back and forth as you'd like.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 0
  • Question
    What's the fastest way to share a file on a Mac?
    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
    Apple makes this process pretty easy. You just use the Airdrop to share individual fires back and forth.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
  • Question
    Can I share big files, like 14GB in size?
    David Tudor
    Community Answer
    There is no actual limit, but for a file that big it might be better to use a USB stick (also known as a pen drive or memory stick). They are pretty cheap these days.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 4
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      7 Ways to Transfer Files to iPad from PC or Mac
      How to
      Use FTP
      6 Easy Ways to Transfer Photos from iPhone to a PC or Mac
      How to
      Set up an FTP Between Two Computers
      How to
      Upload Files to an FTP Server
      How to
      Transfer Data from Android to Android
      3 Quick Ways to Add a Folder as an Attachment in an Email
      How to
      Access and Open Shared Folders on Your iPhone or iPad
      How to
      Enable File Sharing
      How to
      Share Large Video Files
      How to
      Find the File Size of an iOS Photo
      2 Simple Ways to Upload and Share a Google Drive File
      2 Ways to Convert Torrent Files to ISO Files
      How to
      Use AllShare
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/set-up-file-sharing-on-mac-mh17131/mac
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/file-sharing-over-a-network-in-windows-10-b58704b2-f53a-4b82-7bc1-80f9994725bf
      3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/share-things-with-nearby-devices-in-windows-10-0efbfe40-e3e2-581b-13f4-1a0e9936c2d9

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Click the Apple menu.
      2. Select System Preferences .
      3. Check the "File Sharing" box.
      4. Add the folder(s) you want to share.
      5. Close the window.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 511,357 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Kiki Anas Ahmad

        Jun 6, 2016

        "Thank you. A long time ago, my cousin had sent files wirelessly from one computer to the laptop, only today did I ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement