How to Create Shared Folders in Windows 11

Sharing folders makes it easy to swap files quickly with people in your home or office. It is perfect for temporary projects where you need a common space to drop files. By using shared folders, you avoid the need for USB drives or cloud uploads for simple local tasks.

What happens when you are done?

Once finished, you will have a folder on your computer that acts like a public bulletin board. Anyone on your local area network (LAN) can view, edit, or delete-files-in-windows-11/" class="sal-link" rel="noopener" target="_blank" data-sal-id="31677">remove the files inside. Note: Because this folder is open to everyone, do not store sensitive or private files here.

Prerequisites for Network Sharing

Before you begin, ensure both computers are on the same network. You must enable Network Discovery and File and Printer Sharing. (Admin Privilege Required) Go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings. Turn on ‘Network discovery’ and ‘File and printer sharing’ for your private network profile.

Create a folder to share

If you do not have a folder ready, create one now. Open File Explorer, go to where you want the folder, click New, and select Folder.

Give your new folder a simple name.

Create a share in Windows 11

To give everyone access, we will use the Computer Management tool. Note: This process requires administrator privileges.

Click the Start menu and search for “Computer Management.” Click the result to open it.

In the app, look at the left side. Expand Shared Folders, then right-click on Shares and select New Share.

A wizard will open to guide you through the process.

Click Browse to find the folder you created earlier.

Select your folder from the list and click OK.

Give your share a name. You can use the default name or pick a new one.

Next, you must set permissions. Select the Customize permissions option to ensure everyone gets full access.

Select Everyone from the list, then check the Allow box for Full Control. Click OK.

Click Finish to close the wizard.

You have successfully shared your folder! To reach this folder from another computer, use the computer name and the folder name in this format:

\\COMPUTERNAME\SharedFolderName

For example, if your computer is named COMPUTERNAME and the folder is PublicDocument, you would type \\COMPUTERNAME\PublicDocument.

Managing Permissions and Security

You can control access by right-clicking the folder, selecting Properties, and going to the Sharing tab. Click Advanced Sharing to manage specific user permissions. The Security tab allows you to set NTFS permissions, which define what users can do even if they have network access. Always use the principle of least privilege by only giving ‘Read’ access unless ‘Write’ access is strictly required.

How to stop sharing a folder

To stop sharing, open Computer Management, go to Shared Folders, and click Shares. Right-click the folder you want to stop sharing and select Stop Sharing. This immediately removes network access for all users.

Troubleshooting Connectivity Errors

If you cannot see your folder, check that both PCs are on the same Workgroup. Ensure the SMB (Server Message Block) feature is enabled in ‘Turn Windows features on or off’. If you are prompted for a password, check your Credential Manager to ensure your login details are saved correctly. If you are on a public network, Windows will block sharing by default for security reasons.

Summary

Sharing folders in Windows 11 allows for simple collaboration. While this method is great for quick file exchanges, remember that anyone with access can change or delete your files. Avoid storing private information in these shared locations. You can always use the computer name path format to connect to your shared resources from other devices. Always remember to stop sharing folders when you no longer need them to keep your data secure.” }