File sharing over a network in Windows 10

In Windows 10, some features of file and folder sharing over a network have changed, including the removal of HomeGroup. Read on for answers to common questions about other changes to file and folder sharing in Windows 10.

To share a file or folder in File Explorer, do one of the following:

Right-click or press a file, select Give access to > Specific people.

Select a file, select the Share tab at the top of File Explorer, and then in the Share with section select Specific people.

If you select multiple files at once, you can share them all in the same way. It works for folders, too—share a folder, and all files in it will be shared.

To stop sharing in File Explorer, do one of the following:

Right-click or press a file or folder, then select Give access to > Remove access.

Select a file or folder, select the Share tab at the top of File Explorer, and then in the Share with section select Remove access.

File Explorer shows the «Remove access» option («Stop sharing» in older versions of Windows 10) for all files, even those that aren’t being shared over a network.

Open File Explorer, then type \\localhost into the address bar.

Note: When you’ve shared a file from a folder in your user profile and you go to \\localhost, you’ll see your user profile and all its files there. This doesn’t mean that all of your files are shared—just that you have access to all your own files.

If you open File Explorer, go to Network, and see an error message («Network discovery is turned off….»), you’ll need to turn on Network discovery to see devices on the network that are sharing files. To turn it on, select the Network discovery is turned off banner, then select Turn on network discovery and file sharing.

To troubleshoot problems with sharing files or folders, follow the steps below on all computers from which you’re trying to share.

Make sure the computers are on the same network. For example, if your computers connect to the internet through a wireless router, make sure they all connect through the same wireless router.

If you’re on a Wi-Fi network, set it to Private. To find out how, read Make a Wi-Fi network public or private in Windows 10.

Turn on network discovery and file and printer sharing, and turn off password protected sharing.

Select the Start button, then select Settings > Network & Internet , and on the right side, select Sharing options.

Under Private, select Turn on Network discovery and Turn on file and printer sharing.

Under All Networks, select Turn off password protected sharing.

Make sharing services start automatically.

Press the Windows logo key + R.

In the Run dialog box, type services.msc, and then select OK.

Right-click each of the following services, select Properties, if they’re not running, select Start, and next to Startup type, select Automatic:

Общий доступ к файлам Windows Windows file sharing

Для перемещения файлов на устройство и с него можно использовать общий доступ к файлам Windows. You can use Windows file sharing to transfer files to and from your device.

Доступ к файлам с помощью общего доступа к файлам Windows Accessing your files using Windows file sharing

Сервер общего доступа к файлам на устройстве Windows IoT базовая запускается автоматически при загрузке. The file sharing server on your Windows IoT Core device starts automatically on boot. Для подключения к нему требуется IP-адрес устройства. In order to connect to it, you need the IP address of your device. IP-адрес можно найти в приложении по умолчанию, которое загружается при запуске устройства. You can find the IP address on the default app that boots when your device starts.

Получив IP-адрес, откройте проводник на компьютере и введите \\ \c$ , где — это имя или IP-адрес устройства Windows IOT базовая, а затем нажмите клавишу ВВОД. Once you have the IP, open up File Explorer on your computer and type \\ \c$ , where is either the name or the IP Address of your Windows IoT Core device, then hit Enter.

При появлении запроса введите имя пользователя и пароль администратора. Enter your administrator username and password if prompted. Имя пользователя должно иметь префикс с IP-адресом устройства Windows IoT базовая. The username should be prefixed with the IP Address of your Windows IoT Core device. Пример: username: 192.168.1.118\Administrator пароль: . Example: Username: 192.168.1.118\Administrator Password: .

• Теперь вы можете получить доступ к файлам на устройстве, используя общий доступ к файлам Windows. Now you can access the files on your device using Windows file sharing.

Запуск и остановка сервера общего доступа к файлам Starting and stopping the file sharing server

Подключитесь к устройству с помощью PowerShell или SSH. Connect to your device through PowerShell or SSH.

По умолчанию сервер совместного использования файлов запускается при загрузке устройства. By default the file sharing server is started when the device is booted.

Чтобы отключить сервер общего доступа к файлам, введите net stop Server /y To stop the file sharing server, type net stop Server /y

Чтобы запустить сервер общего доступа к файлам, введите net start Server To start the file sharing server, type net start Server

Отключение и включение сервера общего доступа к файлам при запуске Disabling and enabling the file sharing server on startup

Подключитесь к устройству с помощью PowerShell или SSH. Connect to your device through PowerShell or SSH.

По умолчанию сервер совместного использования файлов запускается при загрузке устройства. By default the file sharing server is started when the device is booted.

Чтобы отключить сервер совместного использования файлов, чтобы он не запускался при запуске устройства, введите reg add HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\lanmanserver /v Start /t REG_DWORD /d 0x3 /f To disable the file sharing server so that it does not start when the device starts, type reg add HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\lanmanserver /v Start /t REG_DWORD /d 0x3 /f

Чтобы включить сервер общего доступа к файлам, который запускается при запуске устройства, введите reg add HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\lanmanserver /v Start /t REG_DWORD /d 0x2 /f To enable the file sharing server, so that starts when the device starts, type reg add HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\lanmanserver /v Start /t REG_DWORD /d 0x2 /f

Network File Sharing in Microsoft Windows

Learn the different options in Windows to share files with others

Each major version of the Windows operating system released since 2006 has incorporated some different and improved features for sharing files between computers over a network. While the newer features are powerful, they can’t always be used when sharing with devices running older versions of Windows (or non-Windows devices).

Instructions in this article apply to Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista.

Share Files in the Cloud With OneDrive

The Microsoft OneDrive service provides Windows computers with personal cloud storage from which files can be shared with others. Windows support for OneDrive varies depending on the version of Windows:

• Windows 10 and Windows 8.1: OneDrive support is integrated directly into the operating system.
• Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8: Supports OneDrive through an installed client application.
• Windows XP and older: Not supported.

OneDrive requires registering an account with Microsoft for file storage. A free account provides a limited amount of storage space, but the storage limit can be increased for a recurring fee.

Set up a Home Network for Sharing With HomeGroup

Introduced first in Windows 7, HomeGroup makes it possible for a local group of computers running Windows 7 or newer to associate with each other for sharing. Each local network can be set up with one homegroup that computers join by knowing the group’s name and password. Users control which files and folders they wish to share with the homegroup, and they can also share local printers. Microsoft recommends using HomeGroup for sharing on home networks unless some home PCs are running Windows XP or Windows Vista.

HomeGroup has been removed from Windows 10 (Version 1803).

Use Windows Public Folder Sharing

Introduced first in Windows Vista, Public is an operating system folder specially configured for file sharing. Users can copy files and folders to this location and, in turn, share them with other Windows (Vista or newer) computers on the local network. Users can also allow others to update these files or post new ones to the same location.

Public folder sharing can be enabled or disabled from the Windows Advanced Sharing Settings page (go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Advanced sharing settings).

Understand Windows File Sharing Permissions

Windows 7 and newer Windows computers offer two basic permission levels for sharing files:

• Read: Recipients can open the file and view its contents but cannot change the file without making a separate copy.
• Read/Write: Recipients can both view and change the file contents and save (overwrite) the file at its current location.

Windows 7 and newer has the option to restrict sharing to specific people — either a specific list of people (network account names) or a Windows HomeGroup — or to anyone on the local network.

On all versions of Windows, Advanced Security options also exist, configurable under the Share menu of the file or folder properties. Advanced Security supports three permission types:

• Read: Recipients can open the file and view its contents but cannot change the file without making a separate copy.
• Change: Recipients can both view and change the file contents and save (overwrite) the file at its current location.
• Full Control: Allows setting an extra level of advanced permissions for systems running the NT file system (NTFS), used mostly on legacy business networks.

Mechanics of Windows File Sharing

With the exception of Public folders that involve moving or copying a file to a new location, sharing files in Windows involves taking specific action in the context of the given file or folder. In Windows 10, right-click on a file or folder in File Explorer, for example, to reveal a Give access to option.

File-sharing can fail due to permissions issues, network outages, and other technical glitches. Use the troubleshooting wizards in the Control Panel (under Network and Sharing Center) to diagnose problems with network connections, shared folders, or the HomeGroup.

Non-Windows and Third-Party Sharing Solutions

Besides the sharing facilities built into Microsoft Windows, some third-party software systems such as Dropbox also support file sharing between Windows computers plus other non-Windows devices on the network. Consult the documentation for these third-party packages for additional details.

How to Turn off Windows File Sharing

Users can turn off file and printer sharing on a computer from the Windows Advanced Sharing Settings page. If the computer had previously joined a homegroup, leave that group through Control Panel. Any files in the Public folder should also be removed to prevent that form of sharing. Finally, uninstall any third-party sharing software that may be present on the device.

How to share files between computers using LAN in Windows 10

Whenever we work on multiple systems, sending files over the connection is what we prefer the most. After all being on the same LAN connection makes our work easier, file transfer is what makes our tasks difficult. Most of the time we end up sharing files to ourselves over the mail as most working areas prohibit the usage of thumb/flash drives.

File sharing over the LAN connection is easy but not a child’s task too. In this article, we will share some basic methods using which you can easily share files between systems over a LAN connection.

Now, this LAN connection could be your Home Network or Office Network, these methods will work on them. Sharing files over the network keep files between the sharing users and the workgroup. Moreover, plugging external drives again and again to different computers is very troublesome.

To perform this method, we suggest you using Ethernet/LAN cable because of various reasons. Using a cable connection is one of the oldest and fastest ways of transferring data securely. Using the Ethernet cable is the obvious choice, the cheapest Ethernet cable support transfer speed up to 1GBPS. Even if one uses USB 2.0 to transfer data, the ethernet connection will still be fast as USB 2.0 supports speeds only up to 480 MBPS.

Share files between computers using LAN

To be able to transfer or share the files between the computers, you need to connect them directly via an Ethernet cable or a router/modem. The only thing you should keep in mind is that both the systems should be in the same network. You can change the medium of connection but the method works on every connection if you follow the steps.

The steps you need to transfer files between Windows 10 computers using LAN are:

1. Connect both the systems.
2. Enable and Configure Network Sharing on both systems.
3. Configure LAN connection
4. Transfer files.

1] Connect both the systems

Connect both the systems to any LAN network or use a LAN/Ethernet cable to connect them. Make sure that the LAN cables are in good condition. If you prefer to use Wireless LAN or WLAN then make sure that connection strength is good.

2] Enable and Configure Network Sharing on both systems

Perform this method on both the computers, make sure to follow every step.

Press Win + R keys, type control, and press enter. The Control Panel will open up.

Change the view to Large icons and click on Network and Sharing Center.

Now, on the left panel click on Change advanced sharing settings. Keep in mind that this method works on Private as well as the public network.

Perform the above step for Guest or Public network if your network is set to Public.
To check which type of connection you are on, your system shows “current profile” in front of what type of connection you are on.

Now in All Networks section, under File sharing connections select 128-bit encryption.

You can choose to turn password protection on or off as per your preference.

Now click on Save changes.

3] Configure LAN connection

Configuring LAN is not a big deal if you understand how to set IP Addresses. In this method, we are not going to set any IP addresses but we will choose to obtain them automatically. Setting these IP addresses manually requires a basic understanding of how they work.

Press Win + R keys, type control, and press enter. The Control Panel will open up.

Change the view to Large icons and click on Network and Sharing Center.

Now, on the left panel click on Change adapter settings.

Right-click the network you are currently connected to then click on Properties. If the connection is via cable then choose Ethernet or If the connection is wireless then choose the wireless connection.

Now scroll down and double-click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).

In the General tab, select Obtain an IP address automatically. Now select Obtain DNS server address automatically.

Click on OK and close the connection properties.

Note: If you are working in an organization where networks are configured by any authorized person then you can take his/her help.

4] Transfer files

Now to transfer or to share files between computers, you can do it pretty easily.

Collect all the files you want to share in a folder.

Right-click on the folder and click on Give access to.

Now, click on Specific people.

Select the user with whom you want to share the files, change the permission level as per your requirement, and click on Share.

Go to the system with which you just shared the folder. On the system, open This PC and navigate to Network from the left panel to see no. of connected networking devices.

Select the device from which you just shared the files and you will the folder of files which was shared.

Tip: Using Ethernet cables for this type sharing much preferable as compared to a wireless network. The fluctuation in Wi-Fi signals can cause a device not to be discoverable. Check how to see other systems on the network if your PC is not able to scan them.