Setting up a local network between computers in a modern home is no longer the preserve of system administrators at large corporations. Today, users often need to quickly transfer gigabytes of photos, documents, or video files between a laptop and a desktop PC without the need for external hard drives or flash drives. public access (SMB) allows you to create virtual storage accessible to all devices connected to your home router via Wi-Fi.
The setup process in the operating system Windows 10 Windows 10 has undergone a number of changes compared to earlier versions, such as Windows 7. Microsoft has strengthened security measures, which can sometimes be challenging for beginners. However, by following a few steps in Control Panel and System Settings, you can create a stable and secure connection.
In this article, we'll cover not only the basic activation of this feature, but also the intricacies of access rights settings, as well as solutions to common issues where a folder is visible but access is denied. You won't need any third-party programs—all the necessary tools are already built into the operating system.
Checking network parameters and profile type
The first and most critical step is determining your current network profile. Windows 10 treats new Wi-Fi connections as "Public" by default, automatically hiding your computer from other devices for security reasons. To enable file sharing, you need to switch the profile to "Private."
To do this, click on the Wi-Fi icon in the tray (near the clock) or go to the menu Start → Settings → Network & InternetSelect your active Wi-Fi connection and find the "Make this PC discoverable" switch. Once you enable this mode, the system will change the network profile to allow data exchange.
Make sure all devices that need to access files are on the same subnet. This usually means they're connected to the same router. If you have a guest Wi-Fi network configured, devices on it may be isolated from the main network, making it impossible to access shared folders.
- 📡 Make sure that "Network discovery" is enabled on all computers.
- 🔒 Check that your firewall is not blocking incoming SMB connections.
- 🏠 Use your main Wi-Fi profile, not the guest one, for file sharing.
After changing the network profile, Windows may require a reboot or reconnection to the access point. This is normal behavior, as new traffic filtering rules are applied.
Enabling Sharing and Discovery Services
After setting up your profile, you need to enable the relevant services in the advanced settings. Follow the path Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settingsHere you'll find the key switches that control your PC's visibility.
In the "Private" section (the current profile), two key options must be enabled: "Turn on network discovery" and "Turn on file and printer sharing." It is also recommended to check the box next to "Allow Windows to manage HomeGroup connections," if this option is available in your operating system.
Pay attention to the "All Networks" section. This is where you'll find an important encryption setting. By default, Windows 10 uses 128-bit encryption, which is the security standard. Changing these settings is only worthwhile if you encounter compatibility issues with very old devices (such as ten-year-old NAS drives).
⚠️ Warning: Disabling password protection allows anyone who connects to your Wi-Fi network to access your folders. Use this option only if you are completely confident in the security of your wireless channel and know all your neighbors.
Be sure to save your changes by clicking the "Save Changes" button at the bottom of the page. Without this step, all settings you've made will remain inactive, and other computers will still not see your PC in the list of network devices.
Setting access rights to a specific folder
Now that the network infrastructure is ready, you need to select the directory you want to share. This can be any folder on your drive, such as "Documents," "Photos," or a specially created "Share" directory.
Right-click the selected folder and select "Properties." Go to the "Sharing" tab. There are two options: simple ("Sharing...") and advanced ("Advanced"). For complete control over user rights, it's best to use the advanced method.
Click the "Advanced Settings" button and check the "Share this folder" box. In the "Share Name" field, you can leave the default name or specify a short name that will be visible on the network (for example, Media or Work). Then click the "Permissions" button.
In the window that opens, you'll see the "Everyone" group. By default, it only has "Read" permission. This means other users will be able to copy files to themselves, but won't be able to delete or modify them on your computer. If you want full control, select the "Everyone" group and check "Full Control" in the "Allow" column.
| Group/User | Full access | Change | Reading | Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everyone | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Administrators | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| System | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Creator-owner | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
It's important not to confuse "Share" permissions with "Security" permissions. If the user doesn't have read permissions for a file in the "Security" tab, even Full Access permissions won't help on the network folder. Check both tabs to ensure functionality.
Connecting to a network folder from another device
After setting up the server side (the computer where the folder is located), move on to the client. Open File Explorer on any device on the same Wi-Fi network. In the address bar, enter the server computer's IP address in the format \\192.168.1.X (where X is the address of your PC) or its network name.
You can find out the IP address by running the command line (cmd) on the main computer and entering the command ipconfigFind the line "IPv4 address." Using an IP address is often more reliable than a name, as it doesn't rely on DNS service on the local network.
☑️ Folder Connection Checklist
When you first connect, the system will ask for your credentials. This is a common mistake: you need to enter the login and password for the account. the computer we are connecting to, not from the current device. If the target PC doesn't have a password, sign-in may fail due to Windows security policies.
For convenience, you can check the "Remember credentials" box to avoid entering your password each time you connect. After successful authorization, you will see a list of shared folders. You can right-click on the desired folder and select "Mount as network drive" to display it as a separate drive (e.g., Z:) in "My Computer."
What to do if Windows says "Unable to access..."
The problem often stems from the outdated SMB v1 protocol. In Windows 10, it's disabled by default. Go to "Turn Windows features on or off" and try finding "SMB 1.0/CIFS file sharing support." However, enabling it is only recommended for very old devices, as the protocol is vulnerable. It's best to update the software on the client device.
Solving common access problems and errors
Despite their apparent simplicity, users often encounter errors like "0x80070035" or "0x80070043." These codes mean the network path was not found. First, check whether the computer is visible on the network. Open "Network" in File Explorer. If it's empty, discovery isn't working.
A common cause of blocking is an antivirus or the built-in Windows firewall. They may consider the incoming connection suspicious. Try temporarily disabling your antivirus to test. If the issue is resolved, add an exception for "File and Printer Sharing" to your firewall rules.
Another common issue is time desynchronization. If the clock on one computer is more than 5 minutes behind or ahead, the Kerberos protocol (used for authentication) may block the connection. Ensure that all devices on the network are set to the correct time and time zone.
- 🔄 Restart your router and all computers—this solves 50% of IP address problems.
- 🔌 Check if the "Function Discovery Resource Publishing" service is enabled in services.msc.
- 📉 Make sure your Wi-Fi adapter driver is updated to the latest version.
If all else fails, try creating a new local user on the server computer with a simple password (numbers and Latin characters only) and granting them permissions to the folder. This will eliminate issues with username encoding or complex passwords.
⚠️ Note: The Windows 10 interface is updated regularly. The location of some menu items may change depending on the build version (e.g., 21H2, 22H2). If you can't find the item, search for "settings" in the Start menu.
Security when using shared access
By making files accessible, you potentially expand your attack surface. Even on a home network, basic hygiene practices shouldn't be neglected. The most important principle: grant the minimum necessary privileges. If a user only needs to watch movies, don't grant them permission to modify or delete files.
Use complex passwords for accounts that access the network. Standard passwords like "12345" or "password" can be cracked in seconds. Also, keep an eye on your Wi-Fi router's firmware and use an encryption protocol. WPA3 or at least WPA2-AES.
Regularly review the list of users who have access to your folders. Delete old accounts if you no longer use them or if you sold the device. The "Security" tab in folder properties is the best tool for auditing current permissions.
Keep in mind that the SMB protocol used by Windows transmits data in cleartext within the local network. If your Wi-Fi isn't protected by strong encryption, your traffic may be intercepted. Using a guest Wi-Fi network to isolate IoT devices from main computers with important data is a best practice.
Why is my computer not visible on the network even though Wi-Fi is on?
Most likely, the network profile is set to "Public." In this mode, Windows hides the PC. Also, check the "Discovery Provider Host" service—it should be running.
Is it possible to access Windows folder from phone (Android/iOS)?
Yes, you can. Use file managers that support SMB (such as Solid Explorer, FE File Explorer, or VLC). Enter your computer's IP address and Windows credentials.
How do I turn off sharing if I no longer need it?
Go to the folder properties, click the "Sharing" tab, click "Advanced" and uncheck "Share." Alternatively, disable discovery in the Network and Sharing Center.
What is the Wi-Fi data transfer speed when copying files?
Speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard (n, ac, ax) and signal. Under ideal conditions, 5 GHz can achieve 40-80 MB/s, which is comparable to fast USB 2.0 but slower than a Gigabit Ethernet cable.