How to Share a Folder on Windows 11

If you have multiple computers in your home or office connected to the same Wi-Fi router, emailing files to yourself or constantly moving a USB flash drive back and forth is incredibly inefficient. Windows 11 allows you to share a specific folder over your Local Area Network (LAN). Once shared, that folder acts like a virtual hard drive; anyone on your network can instantly open it, drag files into it, or copy files out of it at lightning speed.

This is the best way to share massive video files with a roommate or consolidate all family photos onto one main desktop PC.

Step 1: Enable Network Discovery (Crucial Prerequisite)

Before you can share a folder, you must tell Windows 11 that it is safe to talk to other computers on your network. By default, Windows blocks this to protect you on public Wi-Fi (like at a coffee shop).

1. Click the Start button and type Network.
2. Select Network and Sharing Center from the search results.
3. On the left side of the window, click Change advanced sharing settings.
4. Look under the “Private networks” section.
5. Ensure the toggle for Network discovery is turned ON.
6. Ensure the toggle for File and printer sharing is turned ON.
7. Close the settings window.

(Note: Never turn these settings on if you are connected to a public or hotel Wi-Fi network).

Step 2: Share the Specific Folder

Now you can select exactly which folder you want to broadcast to the network. You should create a dedicated folder (e.g., “Shared Family Files” on your Desktop) rather than sharing your entire ‘Documents’ directory.

1. Open File Explorer and locate the folder you want to share.
2. Right-click the folder and select Properties.
3. Click on the Sharing tab at the top of the Properties window.
4. Click the Share… button.
5. A new window will pop up asking who you want to share with. Type Everyone into the text box and click the Add button.
6. Look at the “Permission Level” next to ‘Everyone’.
   • Read (Default): People can copy files out of the folder, but they cannot delete files or put new files in.
   • Read/Write: People have full control. They can add, edit, and delete files inside the folder.
7. Select your preferred permission level and click the Share button at the bottom.
8. Windows will process the request and provide a network path (e.g., \\DESKTOP-PC\Shared Family Files). Click Done.

Step 3: Access the Folder from Another Computer

Now that the folder is actively broadcasting, you need to access it from a different laptop on the same Wi-Fi network.

1. Go to the second computer and open File Explorer.
2. Scroll down the left-hand navigation pane and click on Network.
3. You should see an icon representing the main computer (e.g., “DESKTOP-PC”). Double-click it.
4. You will now see the “Shared Family Files” folder. You can open it and drag and drop files exactly as if it were a physical USB drive plugged into the laptop.

Troubleshooting: “Enter Network Credentials” Error

When you double-click the computer in Step 3, Windows might throw a security roadblock, asking for a username and password before it lets you see the folder.

By default, Windows requires the person accessing the folder to type in the username and password of the main computer hosting the files. This prevents a random guest on your Wi-Fi from stealing your data.

If you trust everyone on your network and want to bypass this password prompt entirely:

1. Go back to the main computer.
2. Open the Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings.
3. Expand the All Networks section at the bottom.
4. Find the toggle for Password protected sharing and turn it OFF.

Now, anyone who clicks the network folder will be granted immediate access without a password prompt.