How to set up network file sharing on Windows 10

Share files from File Explorer on Windows 10

Using the built-in File Sharing feature on Windows 10 is the best method to share files in a local network, as it is more flexible. You can use more restrictive permissions and share files with virtually any device, including macOS, Android, and Linux devices.

There are two ways to share files using File Explorer. You can use the basic settings, which allow you to share files on the network with minimal configuration quickly, or you can use the advanced settings to set custom permissions and other advanced options. Here, I’ll show you how.

1. File sharing using basic settings

To share files on a local network using the express settings, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer on Windows 10.
2. Navigate to the folder you want to share.
3. Right-click the item, and select the Properties option.

   

4. Click on the Sharing tab.
5. Click the Share button.

   

6. Use the drop-down menu to select the user or group to share a file or folder. (For this guide, select the Everyone group.)
7. Click the Add button.

   

8. Under the “Permission Level” section, select the sharing permissions you want the folder to have. For instance, you can choose Read (default) if you only want users to view and open files. If you select Read/Write, users can view, open, modify, and delete the content on the shared folder.
9. Click the Share button.

   

10. Confirm the folder’s network path that other users need to access the network’s content and click the Done button.
11. Click the Close button.

    

2. File sharing using advanced settings

To share files in the network using the advanced settings, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Open the location with the folder to share.
3. Right-click the item and select the Properties option.
4. Click on the Sharing tab.
5. Click the Advanced Sharing button.

   

6. Check the “Share this folder” option.
7. Click the Permissions button.

   

   Quick note: Windows 10 allows other users read-only access to the content you share by default, meaning they can only view files but cannot do anything else. If you want users to edit the files, delete, and create new documents in the location, you must manually select the permissions.
8. Select the Everyone group.
9. Check the permissions to access the contents of the folder:
   • Full Control: Enables users to read, change, and edit permissions. Also, it allows them to take ownership of files.
   • Change: Users can read, execute, write, and delete files and folders in the shared location.
   • Read: Allows users to access and view the contents of the folder.

   

10. Click the Apply button.
11. Click the OK button.
12. Click the Security tab.
13. Click the Edit button.

    

14. Click the Add button.

    

15. Click the Advanced button.

    

16. Click the Find now button.
17. Select the Everyone group.

    

18. Click the OK button.
19. Click the OK button again.
20. Select the Everyone group again.
21. Check the Full control option.

    

22. Click the Apply button.
23. Click the OK button.
24. Click the Close button.

Once you complete the steps, the shared content should be available when browsing the remote computer on File Explorer > Network.

If you have a device set up with a Microsoft account, you will get a prompt to sign in to access the network contents in the shared location, and using your email and password is likely to fail. I usually get around this problem by using a local account if you configure the share with the “Everyone” group or the user and password of an account available on the remote computer.

Alternatively, you could switch your Microsoft account to a local account and then again to a Microsoft account, and then you can use the account to sign in. (I have also tried this method in the past, and it has solved the issue.)

Share files without password on Windows 10

On Windows 10, any file you share is by default secured with a username and password, which means that only people who have an account and password on the computer can access shared files.

If you’re setting up file sharing on a local network for family members or people you trust, it is possible to disable the requirement to sign in to allow users to access files on the sharing computer without needing a password. (Usually, this method is not recommended, but I’m listing it because it’s an option.)

Disable file sharing password

To disable password protection for file sharing on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Click on Network and Internet.
3. Click on Network and Sharing Center.
4. Click the “Change advanced sharing settings” option on the left pane.

   

5. Expand the All Networks tab.
6. Under the “Password protected sharing” section, select the “Turn off password protected sharing” option.
7. Click the Save changes button.

   

After you complete the steps, users should be able to access the shared folder without a password.

File sharing without password

To share files with everyone without a password over the network, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Navigate to the folder you want to share.
3. Right-click the item, and select the Properties option.

   

4. Click on the Sharing tab.
5. Click the Share button.

   

6. Use the drop-down menu to select the Everyone group.
7. Click the Add button.

   

8. Under the “Permission Level” section, select the sharing permissions you want the folder to have. For example, you can choose Read (default) if you only want users to view and open files. If you select Read/Write, users can view, open, modify, and delete the content on the shared folder.
9. Click the Share button.

   

10. Confirm the folder’s network path and click the Done button.
11. Click the Close button.

    

Once you complete the steps, other users won’t need the same account information on the devices to access the shared folder’s contents.

Share files from OneDrive on Windows 10

You can also share files across a network or worldwide using OneDrive, and you can complete this task from File Explorer or the web version of OneDrive.

1. File sharing from File Explorer (OneDrive)

To share files from OneDrive on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open your OneDrive folder on Windows 10.
2. Navigate to the folder you want to share.
3. Right-click the folder and select the Share option.

   

4. Confirm the email of the person to share the content. (Or the available options to copy the link or share files using other apps.)

   

5. Click the Send button.

Any user who receives your message can click the link and view the folder’s content on any web browser.

2. File sharing from OneDrive (web)

If you want users to view and edit the content inside the OneDrive folder, you will need to share the folder using OneDrive on the web.

To share OneDrive files from the web, use these steps:

1. Open OneDrive online.
2. Navigate to the file or folder you want to share.
3. Right-click the item and select the Share option.

   

4. Specify the email for the person to share the files. (Or the available options to copy the link.)

   

5. Click the Send button.

Once you complete the steps, anyone with the link can edit the files in the folder.

If you only want to share files with specific users privately, you can share the content through email.

Share files from Nearby Sharing on Windows 10

On Windows 10, Nearby Sharing is a feature that allows you to share files (not folders) and links to other nearby devices using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. (You can share files between Windows 10 and 11 devices.)

It’s worth noting that you can use the feature to share files with other people, but you will be sending a copy of the file. You won’t be making the file available through your computer.

Enable Nearby Sharing from Settings

To enable Nearby Sharing on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click on Shared experiences.
4. Turn on the “Nearby sharing” toggle switch.

   

After you complete the steps, you can proceed to share files with other devices. (You must repeat these steps on all the devices participating in the sharing process.)

File sharing with Nearby Sharing

To share files with other devices with Nearby Sharing, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Browse to the folder with the files you want to share.
3. Right-click the file and select the Share option.

   

4. Select the device to share the file.

Once you complete the steps, you should see a notification you must confirm to complete the transfer. When using this method, the file will download into the “Downloads” folder by default.

Files you share will only be available to users if your computer is turned on, except for the OneDrive sharing method. However, using OneDrive, users must have an internet connection to access the shared content.

Update October 20, 2023: This guide has been revised to ensure accuracy and reflect any changes.