How to Setup Shared Folders in Windows 11
Windows 11 can share folders over an SMB network connection so authorized users can access files on the host PC. This guide covers ordinary network shares, which are different from OneDrive links, Nearby sharing, and a virtualization tool's guest shared-folder feature. Use a trusted network or an approved VPN, and choose a specific folder and authorized accounts before enabling access.
Creating Shared Folders in Windows 11
On the PC hosting the files, choose a folder, right-click it, and open Properties > Sharing > Share. Select an intended account or security group recognized by the host, choose the needed access level, and complete sharing. Record the supplied network path. Prefer named accounts over broadly granting Everyone access. Windows provides its own SMB server; Linux and macOS clients can connect using their SMB support, so installing a separate Samba server on Windows is not required for a normal Windows share.
Setting Permissions for Shared Folders
Check both permission layers. Advanced Sharing > Permissions controls share access, while Properties > Security controls NTFS access. A network user must be allowed by both effective sets of permissions, including group memberships and applicable deny entries. Full Control at one layer does not override a restriction at the other. Grant Read for viewing or the required Change/Modify rights for editing, and test with an ordinary authorized account rather than an administrator.
Troubleshooting Shared Folder Issues
On a trusted home/work network, check Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings. Under Private networks, enable Network discovery and File and printer sharing where appropriate; do not make a public hotspot trusted just to expose a share. Network discovery helps computers appear in the Network list, but direct access can work even if browsing does not. Check the exact share path, host availability, credentials, and effective permissions. Keep the firewall enabled and use the approved File and Printer Sharing rules for the appropriate profile; managed networks may require administrator assistance.
Best Practices for Secure File Sharing
Keep password-protected sharing and use strong account passwords; a Windows Hello PIN is not a general SMB password for another computer. Avoid enabling insecure guest access, SMB1, or disabling SMB signing as a generic compatibility fix. Modern Windows versions and policies can reject older guest-only or unsigned devices. Update the client/server or configure authenticated supported SMB access instead. Do not forward SMB ports to the public internet. For remote access, use an approved VPN or a suitable cloud-sharing service with explicit permissions. Microsoft's guidance: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/experience/connectivity-networking/file-sharing-over-a-network-in-windows and https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/file-server/smb-signing .
Conclusion
After setup, test reading and—only where intended—creating, editing, and deleting a disposable test file using the authorized account. Confirm an unintended user cannot access the folder. Maintain backups: network users with write access can modify or delete data, and sharing is not a backup. Review permissions when access needs change and stop sharing when it is no longer needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I access a shared folder from another computer?
In File Explorer, enter the exact UNC path supplied by the host, such as two leading backslashes followed by PCNAME, then a backslash and ShareName. Alternatively, browse Network if discovery works. Authenticate with an account accepted by the host and its password when prompted. Guest Wi-Fi isolation, routing, firewall policy, name resolution, or a sleeping host can prevent access even when devices appear to use the same internet connection.
Can I share folders with users outside my network?
Use a separately configured cloud share or an approved VPN that permits access to the SMB host. Ordinary local sharing does not automatically publish the folder to the internet. Do not open or forward TCP port 445 on an internet router to make the share reachable.
What should I do if I cannot see shared folders?
First try the exact share path to distinguish a browsing problem from an access failure. Then check the host is awake, the intended network route exists, required firewall rules and sharing are enabled for the trusted profile, and the credentials and both permission layers allow access. The Network list alone is not a definitive test.
Is it safe to share folders with 'Everyone' permission?
Everyone is a broad permission principal, not a switch that automatically bypasses authentication or every NTFS restriction. Its effective reach depends on the host's authentication and access-control configuration. Prefer the specific users or security groups that need access and keep guest access disabled rather than treating Everyone as a convenient default.
How can I stop sharing a folder?
Open Properties > Sharing > Advanced Sharing, clear Share this folder for the intended share, and apply. Check for other shares or paths exposing the same data, and let users finish active work first. Removing one user's permission is different from removing the share itself; neither operation is intended to delete the folder's files.