How to Enable Network Discovery and File Sharing in Windows 11

If you have multiple computers on the same home or office Wi-Fi network, sharing files directly between them is much faster and more secure than uploading everything to a cloud service like Google Drive and downloading it again. However, for security reasons, Windows 11 disables local network sharing by default. Before you can right-click a folder and share it with another PC, you must explicitly enable “Network Discovery” and “File and Printer Sharing” in the operating system.

Step 1: Set Your Network Profile to Private

Windows 11 will aggressively block file sharing if it believes you are connected to a “Public” network (like a coffee shop or airport Wi-Fi) to protect you from hackers. You must tell Windows that your current network is a trusted “Private” network.

1. Click the Start button and open Settings.
2. Select Network & internet from the left-hand menu.
3. Click on Wi-Fi (or Ethernet if you are hardwired).
4. Click on the name of your current network connection.
5. Under the “Network profile type” section, change the selection from Public network to Private network.

Step 2: Enable Network Discovery and Sharing

Now that Windows trusts your local network, you can turn on the actual sharing protocols. Microsoft has moved these toggles into the modern Settings app.

1. Go back to the main Network & internet page in Settings.
2. Scroll down and click on Advanced network settings.
3. Under the “More settings” header, click on Advanced sharing settings.
4. Locate the section labelled Private networks and click the arrow to expand it.
5. Toggle the switch for Network discovery to the On position. Also, check the box below it that says “Set up network connected devices automatically”.
6. Toggle the switch for File and printer sharing to the On position.

Step 3: Managing Password Protection (Optional but Recommended)

By default, even if a folder is shared, Windows requires the other person to type in the username and password of an account that exists on your computer before they can access the files. This is highly secure.

However, if you are simply moving files between your own personal laptop and desktop in your living room, entering passwords constantly can be tedious. You can disable this requirement on the same screen.

1. On the Advanced sharing settings page, scroll down and expand the All networks section.
2. Look for the toggle switch labelled Password protected sharing.
3. Turn this toggle Off.

Your Windows 11 PC is now fully configured. You can now right-click any folder, select “Properties,” navigate to the “Sharing” tab, and make those files instantly accessible to anyone else on your local Wi-Fi.