How to Share a Folder Between Two Computers via Wi-Fi: 5 Proven Methods

Sharing files between computers wirelessly is a task faced by every second user of a home or office Wi-Fi network. Despite its apparent simplicity, setting up a shared folder often presents difficulties: network discovery It doesn't work, access rights are lost, or the router blocks the connection. In this article, we'll cover all the current methods for organizing shared access—from standard tools Windows to cross-platform solutions like Resilio Sync or Samba.

We will pay special attention to typical errors: why computers do not see each other on the local network, how to fix the problem with 0x80070035 ("Network path not found"), and what to do if the shared folder is read-only. And for those who prefer a minimalist solution, we'll provide instructions for setting it up via cloud services without complex manipulations with network protocols.

Important: all methods have been tested on current OS versions (including Windows 11 24H2 And macOS Sonoma) and are compatible with most modern routers (ASUS RT-AX88U, TP-Link Archer C80, Keenetic etc.). If you are using older hardware or enterprise versions of Windows, some steps may differ.

1. Preparing the network: why computers need to "see" each other

Before setting up a shared folder, make sure both computers are on one local network and can exchange data. This is a basic condition, without which none of the methods described below will work.

There are two ways to check the connection:

• 🔍 Via the command line: On both PCs, run the command ping [IP address of the second computer]If the packets arrive without loss, the connection is established. Example:

  ping 192.168.1.102

• 📡 Through the network environment: V Windows open Network → Network Places (or Network V macOS/Linux). Computers should appear in the list of devices.

If computers cannot see each other:

1. Check that both devices are connected to one router (not to different ranges 2.4 GHz/5 GHz, if you have dual-band Wi-Fi).
2. Turn it off guest access in the router settings (it often blocks communication between devices).
3. Turn on network discovery in Windows settings: Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settings.

⚠️ Attention: If you use VPN or proxy server, disable them before setting up a shared folder. These tools can redirect network traffic, preventing local devices from "seeing" each other.

2. Method 1: Shared folder via standard Windows sharing

The most common method is to use the built-in Windows mechanism shared folders. It works on all OS versions (from Windows 7 to Windows 11) and does not require installation of additional software.

Instructions for the computer where the folder is located (host):

1. Create a folder (eg. C:\Common) or select an existing one.
2. Right-click on it → Properties → Access → Share.
3. Select from the drop-down list All (or a specific user) and click Add.
4. Set permission level: Reading (view only) or Reading and writing (editing files).
5. Go to the tab Security → Edit → Add → All and assign the same rights.

Instructions for the computer from which access is required (client):

1. Open File Explorer → Network.
2. Find the host computer name (eg. DESKTOP-ABC123) and open it.
3. Enter the login/password for the host account (if requested).

If the folder does not open with an error 0x80070035:

• 🔧 Check that the protocol is enabled on the host computer SMB 1.0 (V Windows 10/11 It is disabled by default for security reasons). It is enabled via Control Panel → Programs → Turn Windows features on or off.
• 🔄 Restart both computers and the router.
• 🛡️ Temporarily disable your antivirus (for example, Kaspersky or ESET SMB traffic is often blocked).

3. Method 2: Shared folder via HomeGroup (for Windows 7/8.1)

Note: The HomeGroup feature has been removed in Windows 10 version 1803 and later. This method only works for Windows 7, 8/8.1, or older builds of Windows 10. If you have a modern OS, skip this section.

HomeGroup — a simplified sharing system that automatically configures permissions for media, documents, and printers. To create a group:

1. Open Control Panel → HomeGroup → Create a homegroup.
2. Choose which items to share (eg. Images, Documents).
3. Write down the generated password - you will need it to connect other computers.

On the second computer:

1. Go to Control Panel → HomeGroup.
2. Click Join and enter the password.

⚠️ Attention: If after creation HomeGroup computers still don't see shared folders, check the service HomeGroup Provider V services.msc. It must be running and operating in the mode Automatically.

4. Method 3: Sharing via FTP server (cross-platform solution)

If you need to organize file exchange between Windows And macOS/Linux, or require remote access from the Internet, the best option is to deploy FTP serverYou don't need any third-party programs for this: Windows has a built-in one. IIS FTP server, and for macOS/Linux will do vsftpd.

Instructions for Windows:

1. Enable the component IIS through Control Panel → Programs → Turn Windows features on or off (check FTP server And Internet Information Services (IIS)).
2. Open IIS Manager (find via search).
3. Add a new one FTP site, specify the path to the folder and set up authentication (it is better to choose Require SSL for safety).
4. Allow the port in your firewall settings. 21 (FTP).

To connect from another computer:

• 🖥️ In Windows: open File Explorer → This PC → Add a network location and enter ftp://[server IP address].
• 🍎 In macOS: V Finder click Cmd+K and enter ftp://[IP address].
• 🐧 In Linux: use the command

  ftp [IP address]

  or a file manager (for example, Nautilus).

5. Method 4: Cloud services as an alternative to a local network

If setting up local access seems complicated, or you need access to files from anywhere in the world, use cloud servicesThis method does not require technical knowledge, but depends on your internet speed and cloud storage capacity.

Popular services for folder synchronization:

• 📁 Google Drive (15 GB free) - suitable for documents and photos. There is a function Files on demand, saving disk space.
• ☁️ Yandex Disk (10 GB free) - integrates with Windows as a network drive, it supports file versioning.
• 🔗 Resilio Sync (free) — creates a P2P network between devices without a cloud intermediary. Ideal for large files (videos, backups).
• 💼 Dropbox (2 GB free) - the fastest for syncing, but with a limited free plan.

How to set up synchronization via Resilio Sync:

1. Install the program on both computers (official website).
2. On the host computer, select the folder to sync and generate access key.
3. On the second computer, enter this key in the section Add folder.
4. Select the synchronization type: Standard (double-sided) or Backup (one-sided).

⚠️ Attention: When using Resilio Sync Both computers must be online simultaneously for the initial sync. After that, files will be available offline, and changes will be synced the next time you connect.

6. Method 5: Shared folder via Samba (for Linux and macOS)

If at least one of the computers is running Linux or macOS, the best option is to set up Samba (implementation of the SMB protocol for Unix systems). This will allow Windows-machines connect to the shared folder as a network drive.

Instructions for Ubuntu/Debian:

1. Install Samba command:

   sudo apt update && sudo apt install samba

2. Edit the configuration file:

   sudo nano /etc/samba/smb.conf

3. Add the following block to the end of the file:

   [general]
   path = /home/username/shared_folder
   browsable = yes
   read only = no
   guest ok = no
   create mask = 0777

4. Create a Samba user (use an existing Linux user):

   sudo smbpasswd -a username

5. Restart the service:

   sudo systemctl restart smbd

To connect with Windows:

1. Open File Explorer → This PC → Map Network Drive.
2. Enter the path \\[IP address of Linux PC]\shared.
3. Enter the Samba username/password.

7. Common mistakes and their solutions

Even with proper configuration, a shared folder may not function correctly. Let's look at the most common issues and how to fix them.

If none of the methods worked:

• 🔄 Check it out router settings: turn off AP Isolation (client isolation) in the web interface.
• 🛡️ Temporarily disable antivirus (especially if it is Avast or Norton - they aggressively block network activity).
• 📡 Update network card drivers (through device Manager or from the manufacturer's website).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about setting up a shared folder

sudo smbpasswd -a username