How to Share Files on Windows 11: A Complete Guide

This post shows students and new users how to share files and documents with others when using Windows 11.

Windows 11 allows users to securely share files and folders with other users at home, in the same office, or worldwide. There are several ways one can do this in Windows 11. You can use File Explorer, OneDrive, and Email to communicate documents to other users.

Whether you want to share files with your mom, grandma, or someone across the globe, Windows 11 makes it easy.

One legacy feature in Windows 11 is the ability to share files and folders easily. Starting with Windows 10, sharing files and folders with others has gotten easier with every subsequent version.

To get started with sharing files and folders in Windows 11, use the methods below:

How to share files with others via OneDrive

OneDrive is a personal cloud storage from Microsoft. It’s free with some basic features but secure. If you’re not using OneDrive in Windows 11, you should consider and give it a try. It will automatically back up your data securely in the cloud.

If you want to know more about OneDrive, read the post below:

How to Backup and Restore in Windows 11 – Website for Students

With OneDrive, you can share files with someone securely who is not directly connected to your home network or office, and the person can be anywhere in the world.

To share a file or folder, move the target folder into your OneDrive storage and Share from there. Select OneDrive on the left, right-click the folder or file you want to share, and select Show More options as highlighted below.

On the more option context menu, select the OneDrive icon as highlighted.

The easiest way is to copy the shared document link and send it to the person you want access to. You can also set conditions for what the person can do with the document when they receive the link, including typing a password before the document can be read.

If the person is connected to use in the same office, then you can instead type the individual email address and click the Send button.

How to share files via email in Windows 11

You can share via email if you have a desktop mail app installed. For that, right-click on the file, select Show more options, and go to Send to ==> Mail recipient.

This will open the mail client, attach the document you want to send, and then send from there.

How to share files over a network in Windows 11

To share files with people in your workgroup or domain in an office environment, follow the steps below:

1. Right-click on the file or folder you want to share.
2. Go to Show more options, and then select Specific people in the Give access to a section.
3. Enter email addresses for the people you want to share the file with, select Add for each one, and then select Share.

Add each person who should have access and click Share.

That should do it!

Conclusion:

• Windows 11 offers simple and effective methods for sharing files and folders.
• Sharing can be easily accomplished using OneDrive, email, or over a local network.
• OneDrive provides cloud-based sharing, ensuring accessibility from anywhere.
• Email sharing allows for quick and direct communication of documents.
• Network sharing is ideal for collaboration within a workgroup or office setting.
• Utilizing these methods can enhance productivity and streamline file sharing for all users.