How to Share Folders & Drives from one Computer to another Computer

How to Share Folders & Drives from one Computer to another Computer - Windows 10

Рет қаралды 704,475

Күн бұрын

In this step-by-step video, learn how to share a Folder or Hard Drive on one computer with all the other computers on your home network. Share photos, videos, apps, and other content between computers.
To share a folder or drive, open File Explorer. Right click on the folder or drive and click on properties. In properties, click on the Sharing pivot. Next, click on Advanced Sharing. In Advanced Sharing, make sure "Share this folder" is checked. Next, click on Permissions, and pick whether you want to grant Full Control, Change, or Read. Control gives users the ability to add, delete, or change files. Read allows users to view only, but make no changes to the source computer. Once you're satisfied with the settings, apply the changes. On another computer on the network, open File Explorer and navigate to Network. In Network, select the computer you would like to connect with. You may be prompted to enter the machine's username and password. Make sure to enter the username and password of the computer you are connecting to. Next, you should see the folder or share that you shared.
As full-disclosure, I work at Microsoft as a full-time employee.

Пікірлер: 478

@martinkledzik3592 4 жыл бұрын

It would be a big improvement if you could always enlarge screen images and mouse when offering examples. It was very difficult for me to follow you the first and second time when showing what to click on. Big help overall. Thanks.

@eliaslegacyfilms8025 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mr. Brady. Good luck in Tampa Bay!

@TheTheShizzler Жыл бұрын

This man said, "full disclosure I work for Microsoft" bruh thats exactly what I wanted to hear! Especially when the other tutorials on this subject talk about paid apps and stuff. This is all I wanted to do!

@zeldaking_123 4 жыл бұрын

Can’t access drive at all it says “ Windows can’t access (\\Computer name) Check the spelling of name otherwise there might be a problem with your network try to identify and resolve network problems check diagnose. Error code 0X800 4005 unspecified error” and I’m just trying to transfer files

@hw099 4 жыл бұрын

It's not that I disliked this, it just didn't answer my question. I have tried EVERYTHING you indicated but still no sharing (since the latest version of WIN 10). I have 2 PC's on the same Ethernet router; I can ping A to B and B to A. They occasionally appear in File Explorer (why not always). When I try to connect B to A, it wants a Credential, which I don't know and can't find how to change. I have tried every windows password I have used in the past and none work. Also PC B never shows on PC A's network folder in File Explorer. Somehow, these 2 PC's have something blocking. Any ideas would be appreciated, as I am really tired of looking at KZfaq videos that don't help. Thanks, Hugh.

@TehBunnieh 3 жыл бұрын

SOLUTION: I share my desktop folder to my laptop, the laptop prompted the credentials popup, I filled in my desktop account and desktop password which worked; I mean the username and password you fill in when you start up your computer to access your computer. If you still don't know what I'm talking about: windows search - type in: control panel, go to user accounts, the name you see there is your username to fill in on credentials, and the password is the same as you use to log in to your computer every day, if you don't use a password for your computer, then I assume you can just leave that blank.

@bryancampbell4604 3 жыл бұрын

If you know the machine name, just type in the address bar \\your machines name. You can also create a shortcut so you don't have to type it.

@nicholasgreen9836 3 ай бұрын

@@TehBunnieh my pc no longer uses a pass work, windows insisted i replace it with a pin, when i enter this pin into the second computer as credentials it does not accept it as a password.

@TehBunnieh 3 ай бұрын

@@nicholasgreen9836 I mean that was a 3 year old comment, things change, good luck though

@jothain 11 ай бұрын

Thanks for clear and to the point video. Tried to help one guy trying to make Windows shares in one forum and he was so way off that tried to quickly search simple and good video about the subject and your video is one I linked to watch before asking more 👍

@zoki.to974 3 жыл бұрын

btw as an microsoft employer you should teach people how to use shortcuts to access file explorer... simple "windows key" + E will be much easier and faster than typing all that...

@Zzzzzzzzz678 Жыл бұрын

Now it opens quick access

@brucejohnson5568 Жыл бұрын

Do you have a video on how to set up my home network in the first place? I have 2 PCs, 1 Win10 and 1 Win 11. Win 11 is new, and I want to move a lot from old PC. Always love all of your videos, very clear.

@alisonlangridge7431 3 жыл бұрын

How do you set up computers to be able to share in the first place please?

@wp6007 3 жыл бұрын

I have done every single tutorial on the internet, my external hard drive simply does not show up in the desktop folder on my network.

@gilby202 Жыл бұрын

wish you talked more in depth about possible issues that you could run into such as the sharing setting on the computer and many other things that often prevent this type of seamless sharing, its nice and easy when its ur own envirment you set up but when you have to go to a clients office and figure out why permissions errors pop up when trying to connect, wish this video helped me :(

@jerrywmalone Жыл бұрын

I completely agree.

@kris3222 Ай бұрын

You're right. The video should explain how to create a user account on the PC that is being shared and to ensure that Network Sharing is also enabled.

@OliviaJewell 4 жыл бұрын

Wondering how I make those a shared drive available on my laptop when I'm not at home, and thus not connected to my home network. Any suggestions? Windows seems to have deactivated "Manage offline files" option in the Sync Center, and Work Flow seems to be for businesses. I'm trying to do it for my personal home network.

@dreamerofnights 4 жыл бұрын

Hey Kevin Thanks for the upload. The shared drive was not showing up on my other computer but all I did was copy the address link and entered it and boom magic it all worked thanks again.

@matthewlawton9241 6 ай бұрын

This is the problem I'm having.

@macky2green 3 жыл бұрын

*_OMG! Thank you very much, Kevin! I didn't know it was this simple. It's really funny if you (ME) were a former Apple guy and now a Windows convert. LOL!_*

@EricSchwartz-sk8id Ай бұрын

Excellent explanation. Conciser, clear and easy to follow. I can now easily transfer files from a dying laptop to a laptop that is working. Thank you!

@hw099 4 жыл бұрын

Like Floyd said, "There's clearly something you don't know or haven't told us. Back when there were Homegroups, all this worked perfectly. Too bad M'soft did away with that."

@grahameviner2835 11 ай бұрын

awesome thanks, not only did you show how to share but why you would share fully understand now.

@ZebulaJams 3 жыл бұрын

I am getting "You do not have permission to access this share. Contact your network administrator to request access." Thoughts?

@HowOnEarth99 3 жыл бұрын

Hey Zebula, I had the same issue and this is what I did to get around it. I was trying to acces my Desktop from my Laptop and my Desktop didn't have any password. Now if you read the whole "You don't have permission" meesgae carefully, you will notice it says at the end that null Passwords are not acceptable. So I went ahead and created a login password for my Desktop. And then tried accessing it from my Laptop, it prompted me to fill in the credentials, I punched in the user id and passowrd for my Desktop and viola - IT WORKED... :) Bonus Tip: If you are someone like me and doesn't really like to have passowrds on your home systems, the good news is that once you have accessed your Desktop from your Laptop using these credentials (ID and Password), you can actually go ahead and remove your newly created password for your Desktop and the Laptop can still access it as it already has the access to Desktop, so it no longer requires the credentails again. Magic... ;)

@johndoe5743 3 жыл бұрын

I loved Windows 10 till now. Folder sharing just doesn't work. I wanted to make a simple public share of a folder on one of my Windows 10 machines. It keeps asking for credentials no matter the settings. Lost 2 hours of my life and just shared the files with wetransfer

@sammynater4996 3 жыл бұрын

@@HowOnEarth99 hey I have a password on my old computer but it's still giving me that message. is there another way to fix this

@Sarah-cf1ib 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! This was so easy and helpful!! I have been trying to do this for months on my new laptop and I just did it in 10 minutes.

@laurentiudll 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Kevin, how would I share it over internet, not just lan ? something like typing my wan and a port but im not sure how to assign a port to a folder and share it to outside internet

@amrit_verma 3 жыл бұрын

I tried so many options, but this works for me finally. Thanks a lot!..

@gpc1290 3 жыл бұрын

Lucky you. As you can see from the thread, it did not work for many people. Something is wrong with Windows 10!! It seems like a hit or miss proposition when you try file sharing. I think the constant updates in Windows 10 probably causes these problems.

@lorcster6694 2 жыл бұрын

@@gpc1290 I believe most of the problems are due to SMB v1 not being enabled by default in windows 10. If SMB v1 is disabled, you wont see your shared devices. To enable it, search 'features' in the toolbar, click 'turn on or off windows features' then Scroll down to 'SMB 1.0/CIFS File sharing support' and tick the box beside it.

@user-wt1nv4oj6c 8 ай бұрын

You mention (at 3:18) that I might get a pop-up asking for a user name and password. You say that I should then enter the user name and password for the source computer. What you don't mention is what to do if the source computer does not have a username and password. I am getting that pop-up, and there is no username and password for me to enter. Now what do I do? Thanks for some great videos.

@harpr27 4 жыл бұрын

omg thank you so much! it worked!! now i can have my minecraft worlds on both of my computers thank you so much this video deserves way more attention!!

@msmigs1173 3 жыл бұрын

Omg i am doing the same lol thx for ensuring to me that this will work haha.

@IlOliGonlI 24 күн бұрын

Do the world's save dynamically? Or do you have to copy and paste the world everytime you want to switch PCs

@JJ-ew9lq 3 жыл бұрын

The right click to share on my 5 year old computer worked. On my new Dell highlighting OS(C:) and right clicking on properties does not bring up a sharing tab. Any idea? Thank you.

@englishandproud100 2 жыл бұрын

Be good if you could explain how to set up a home network you mention at the beginning

@samd7744 4 жыл бұрын

Great bro. Thanks a lot, I have learnt from you

@pablorodriguez6818 Жыл бұрын

thanks kevin for your video. so what is better to share files between computers at home or to have a little server?

@WebJek 4 жыл бұрын

Is there any more Steps to set up? Because I have done all the steps you have in this Video I don't see any folder in Network on my other Computer

@zeldaking_123 4 жыл бұрын

WebJek same

@alisonlangridge7431 4 жыл бұрын

Yes I have the same problem. I have two laptops and one worked fine but not the other yet all the settings seem identical.

@tribot_leader 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah for me it only shows the files on the same computer I shared not on my other computer

@larsord9139 2 жыл бұрын

True, he (half way) shows how to share folders/drives. But he doesn't show how to set up the network to be able to share these things. I think this is a very poor video.

@moshekruger1999 2 жыл бұрын

Can this only be done if both laptops are connected to the same wifi. is there way to create this shared folder with 2 laptops in different locations?

@rondaby2208 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you! How would I share Phototastic between computer and laptop? The Pictures that I save on my laptop or computer that's in the photoastic app isn't saving on both computers. I save the pictures on a thumb drive but to go in an edit a picture that's saved in the app itself isn't in the app on the other computer which means that I can't change anything on the original edit if Its not saved in the app. Wow, I hope this made sense. I appreciate any help you can give me with this problem. Thanks

@norcaldigitalllc8193 9 ай бұрын

Awesome!! Thanks for making it simple!! 👍🙏

@karamalab 4 жыл бұрын

Hi, thank you for sharing this, I have 3 laptops with a shared folder in each one of them, can I give full access or full control to my laptop over the others, in a way that I can edit or delete the files in all shared folders from my laptop?

@wolfsterdescalo7051 4 ай бұрын

My question also. Will deleting shared files on the laptop affect the desktop

@BarbaritaBella 3 жыл бұрын

I have done it and worked with my files!! thank you sooo much!. I found problems sharing my desktop with my other computer. Is the setting different than regular file folders? I need help. Thank you do much!

@MikeWillSee 2 жыл бұрын

This is why I love Kevin's videos: No nonsense and straight to the point. Thank You!

@mariamfarouk9551 Жыл бұрын

This video is extremely useful, thank you

@lebenin3604 3 жыл бұрын

Straight forward. Thank you.

@alexok2318 2 жыл бұрын

I’m looking to create a “shared folder” with a colleague of mine who works remotely (i.e. a folder easy to navigate via file explorer). I simply want a folder called “Z: [Business Name]” where we each can access/add/modify files via file explorer and have them stored locally on each of our laptops for indexing. 2 Quick Questions: -Question #1): Since my colleague works remotely, can he still access the shared drive on the network? -Question #2) I just purchased two licenses for one drive for business (standard), but is this best solution to accomplish my goal? Side Note: I’d prefer not have all our company information “in the cloud,” but I’d be open to onedrive just for backing up data (although we can probably do this locally - we both have a lot of data - or maybe via an external hard drive?)

@fortunemokone342 3 жыл бұрын

Hey Kevin Is there a software used to share files on windows excluding google drive and network sharing

@ASmith-sd4yc 2 жыл бұрын

Kevin, or anyone. With windows 7 and the early days of Windows 10, when setting up a network the host computer would generate a key which one would write down, take it to the subsequent computers to connect them to the network and at some point entering that key (I believe I have that right?). Is that still available on the newer versions of win 10? Is this new method as secure? Would this newer method be a good idea in a small business were only a small number of computers are to be connected via network, sharing sensitive and critical info and docs, leaving out many of the other computers within the company? I really like your videos. You are a very clear and easy to follow instructor.

@ricknmoorte1498 4 жыл бұрын

hi kevin i can see the a drive I shared from wired computer a to wired computer b, but for some reason computer a cant see computer b's drives, even though i shared them, their on the network because in computer b's file explorer i see that it is listed under the network tab but for some reason it doesnt show up under computers when i click on network and only the dropdown is available

@prosthemiso6885 2 жыл бұрын

Hi kevin, Yesterday i struggled to make a server computer discoverable by a laptop connected to the same domain or network, the other laptops connected to the network are able to discover the server computer and it is visible under the Network folder, kindly assist with this matter.

@SriAbeywickrema 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Kevin, can you do a video on migrating data/files form older Laptop (possibly with pre Windows 10) to the new Windows 10 Laptop?

@prabhatrao4325 3 жыл бұрын

Is this process simple when files are to be transferred from an office laptop to a personal one. Because of security, it looks a bit tedious. Please suggest

@tamratevents Жыл бұрын

I love this expression...thank u so much for your help!

@DcComplete Жыл бұрын

How do I run same program on three desktops and share data like a work office setup?

@tx-ex7is Жыл бұрын

How would I go about doing this same things for a laptop that will be used at a different location on a different internet service. I need to have access to a folder that’s on my office desktop when I’m at home using my laptop. Thank you so much.

@jong7258 3 ай бұрын

Easy and good explaining.! But what do You do when 1 computer can see the other, but not the other way..?

@audracole7707 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Kevin, I would like to share a folder/file with another person that lives in another home and uses a MAC where I work on a DELL. But If I'm in this folder/file I need them to be in the folder/file at the same time. Is this possible?

@AntonyMeadley 3 жыл бұрын

I followed the instructions on my Win 10 desktop. My 2nd computer (Win 7) can "see" the shared folders, but when I try to open them it says "Windows cannot access \\DESKTOP\Folder 1 You do not have permission to access..." It doesn't ask me to enter a username or password.

@ironbark88 4 жыл бұрын

Lovely, clear and concise instructions, well done. But would have been better for us with not so great eyesight if you could zoom in to read the text in the dialog box

@masifkhan. 2 жыл бұрын

Turning on Publich network discovery in nezwrok center for this, means peopel outside my home can access this folder as well?

@kmacradio 2 жыл бұрын

I watched several different VERY CONFUSING KZfaq video's on doing this and was just about ready to give up in complete frustration, when I seen your video on the side! Thank God, I seen YOUR video, as usual, you explain everything in such simple terms and do such a great job on all of your tutorials, I was able to get er done! THANK YOU!! PS: you also taught me how to use OBS! THANK YOU, AGAIN!

@fp30e 2 жыл бұрын

I tried it to do it between my Windows 10 Desk Top PC and my Windows 10 Lap Top. I must have done something wrong, as the Lap Top does not see my Main Desk Top PC.?

@guillermocanchan8666 4 жыл бұрын

can you help with port forwarding?

@therealjimmy5411 3 жыл бұрын

Is it possible to do this with two windows machines where folders are "shared" on machine one and machine two isn't on the WIFI but the connection is done over bluetooth? My machine two can never be on the wifi for protective reasons but I would like to get files off of a specific folder from machine one.

@BigSykes 8 ай бұрын

Thanks a lot for sharing... it really helped me!

@atharva_sabde 4 жыл бұрын

if we make changes to the shared files in drive on the secondary computer.......does it gets reflected on the host ?

@Syndicalist 4 ай бұрын

could you tell me what do to to get files from one computer to another without opening or using the original computer

@reshaudjackson9789 6 ай бұрын

so lets say im on my laptop on the C drive and edit some files. once i'm home back on the wifi and network will it save automatically?

@megagure4920 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you... Can you transfer software to??

@DEVISTOR Жыл бұрын

thank you sooooo much from morocco I'm proud of you ^^

@kaffepojke 3 жыл бұрын

The video seems fairly straightforward, but I can not get it to work. I am trying to access files on my main desktop PC from my laptop. I have changed the properties on the desktop files to "shared" but I can not see that folder on my laptop. My PC is hardwired to the LAN and my laptop is wireless, would that make any difference?

@deborahschumacher4140 10 ай бұрын

Can i share google chrome from my server to my other 14 test computers?

@zanmatoshin877 5 ай бұрын

sweet, this should help me transfer my files to my new computer:) didnt bother getting an external drive

@Videolover777 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Kevin - I use a pin number for both my Windows 11 pc's but when I try and open a share from the other PC it ask for my username and password. How can I fix this please?

@michaelkgrantj 4 жыл бұрын

My network folder is empty on both lap tops.

@pf1950 8 ай бұрын

have win 10 did what you said but my win 11 computer does not show the I drive

@user-nz7wf9jq8b Жыл бұрын

I have my laptop on home WI-FI connection and my desktop on home Ethernet connection. How can I make this folder/drive sharing to work in this case? Thanks in advance for work-around solutions.

@Digmen1 10 ай бұрын

Thanks Kevin I have a new desktop computer on my network and I cannot access my main computer, even though I have shared the folder like you showed. How important is having Windows Credentials on my new machine - I don't think I have them

@mizanfaruq2653 3 жыл бұрын

While setting the permission of G in the video, can we add another specific user from another computer? Like I want to share this G drive to another specific computer in the local nework, not to Everyone.

@sroberds640 2 жыл бұрын

We have been trying to figure this out for years, I never even thought having to manually share the drives to get it to work with networking, thanks for posting!!!!!

@SamirAmeen Жыл бұрын

What if im out or im not in home, can I access it as well? or let me say I want my friend access my folder, how to do that?

@joycestewart6822 4 жыл бұрын

I have a new computer, I want to use my outlook email that I created on my daughter's computer (that I was previously using on that computer). How do I deactivate her seeing or getting new emails coming in and only now in my new computer using my same email address I had created on the other?

@MrHinsac Жыл бұрын

Can we do it through iphone via windows 10 to external hard drive

@yashuyash7671 Жыл бұрын

Can that shared folder be accessed through its hostname from other pc

@user-yd5rh1cr4l Жыл бұрын

Thank you for good sharing

@realist460 3 жыл бұрын

do you need to add credentials to both PCs to get this to work?

@sroberds640 2 жыл бұрын

What about about computers using the Microsoft PIN versus a password?

@ultimateplayzgaming2973 3 жыл бұрын

Hi i did everything in this video as entitled to but See my computer pop up on my laptop but when I click on the computer it says this folder is empty can you please help?

@ckentertainmentsvcs Жыл бұрын

Does this work the same in reverse? I just built a new PC and I’m trying to get all of my files from my laptop onto the PC but the laptop isn’t showing on my PC after following all of the steps.

@JPAA49 Жыл бұрын

It was a great help. thanks

@disgruntledvet28 2 жыл бұрын

Wooowwww and here I thought I had to change an IP address n all that Thankyou so much!

@danyj.mendez4745 2 жыл бұрын

How should adjust permissions so that I create folders from the laptop into the desktop drive?

@tlhais5914 3 жыл бұрын

i didnt find the PCs how to add them in Network?

@ozcatering8556 2 жыл бұрын

Hello Kevin, Please let me know if there are any way to share the files between two different network without buying any third party app.

@eileencedroff Жыл бұрын

does this work with putting contents of old computer to a new one?

@ChocolateFlavor2112 Жыл бұрын

I have two laptops. One is heavy but perfect for programming and gaming, the second one I bought later when I realized that it is impossible to go to university with a heavy one because my back is almost crashed by its weight and it has horrible battery life (it is not a defect). Unfortunately, the second laptop is not so powerful but very light and has good battery life, so I want to have access to my heavy laptop while being in university with the second one. Are there any effective options? (I do not have windows pro and do not want to purchase it)

@unitseven7 2 жыл бұрын

Hi, if i am working away and i need to connect to the my desktop at home to access a document , how do i do that please

@maimisa Жыл бұрын

Great Presentation...

@D84D 9 ай бұрын

can i share just a folder or do i have to share an entire drive in order to access/share the specific folder? share is availabel in the folder options.

@Harvz78 3 жыл бұрын

Can you do that with to a Mac and Windows 10?

@wilkoschutzendorf6302 2 жыл бұрын

Very helpful. I had tried 5 or 6 videos prior, but none of them were as easy to follow.

@aperson1181 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, do you have to have Win 10 PRO version instead of Home to make this work?

@supercash69 4 жыл бұрын

Great - It worked 100% Thanks

@The3Kway Жыл бұрын

Anyone know if both computers have to be actively turned on & signed in for this to work? Could I have the host computer turned off or hibernating?

@Siktah 2 жыл бұрын

Hey thanks for a simple concise explanation. I used to know this but after years of not using I decided to search and found your video. WOnderful!

@JJ-ew9lq 3 жыл бұрын

I have a brand new Dell laptop. I looked at storage. "Other" shows 42.6 GB. When I click on Other to see what is in there it is less than 450 MB. How do I see what the other 42 GB is? Thank you.

@duanemckitterick3450 Ай бұрын

I followed the instructions in the video, and the folder shows up on my laptop, but I cannot access the contents. It says Network Error, Windows cannot access the drive. However, I can share a folder inside the network drive and it works fine, just not the entire drive. Do you have any suggestions I can try?

@FidelElvira Жыл бұрын

Hi Kevin I recently add a windows 11 computer and at first everything was working great but all sudden Stop connecting to my shared printers in the network and I tried everything and still not working, any suggestions? I can acces to the folders but no the printers