Creating a shared folder on a local network is a fundamental skill required to comfortably work with data across multiple devices without using external storage. Network folder Allows you to instantly share documents, photos, and videos between computers, laptops, and even TVs connected to the same router. Modern wireless standards provide sufficient file transfer speeds, making this data management method ideal for homes and small offices.
The setup process may seem complicated due to the numerous security settings in the Windows operating system, which block external connections by default. However, if you follow all the steps sequentially, you'll have stable access to your files from any device within range. Wi-Fi signal. The main thing is to correctly configure the network profile and access rights so that the system doesn't perceive your devices as a threat.
In this article, we'll cover every step in detail: from enabling necessary services to troubleshooting common errors that cause computers to "disconnect" from each other on the network. You'll learn how to securely share a directory and what settings to check first if a connection fails.
Preparing the operating system and network settings
Before creating the folder, you need to make sure the operating system is ready to accept incoming connections. Windows is set to "Public Network" by default, which hides your computer from other devices for security reasons. Private network — This is the profile that allows device discovery and file sharing. Without switching to this profile, further settings may not work.
To change your network type, go to the Start menu, select Settings (the gear icon), and open Network & Internet. The interface may differ slightly depending on your Windows version, but the logic remains the same: find an active Wi-Fi connection and change its profile from Public to Private. This tells the system you're in a trusted environment.
⚠️ Caution: By switching your network profile to "Private," you make your computer visible to other devices on the network. Make sure you're connected to your home router, not a public hotspot at a cafe or hotel where other users may be present.
Next, you need to check your sharing settings. Open Control Panel, go to Network and Sharing Center, and select Change advanced sharing settings. It's important to enable Turn on network discovery and Turn on file and printer sharing for the current profile. It's also recommended to disable Password-protected sharing if you want to simplify connecting devices like Smart TVs or media players that may not support Windows login and password entry.
Creating and configuring a shared folder
Once you've prepared your network settings, you can begin creating a resource that will be accessible to other users. Select or create a new directory on your hard drive where you plan to store shared files. Right-click it and select "Properties." In the window that opens, select the "Access" tab.
Click the "Advanced Settings" button and check the box next to "Share this folder." Below are the buttons for setting user permissions. By clicking "Permissions," you can fine-tune what others can do with your files: read only, modify existing files, or delete them completely and create new ones. For a home network, the "Everyone" group with "Read" permissions is often sufficient to prevent anyone from accidentally deleting important documents.
- 📁 Full access: the user can modify, delete files and change access rights to the folder.
- ✏️ Change: Editing and deleting files is allowed, but changing access permissions is not allowed.
- 👁️ Reading: The user can only open and copy files, but cannot modify them.
It's also important to go to the "Security" tab in the folder's properties. Windows requires that NTFS file system permissions match the share permissions. If the "Everyone" group or a specific user isn't listed, add them and grant them the necessary permissions. Without this step, you may receive an "Access Denied" error when attempting to connect, even if all network settings are correct.
☑️ Checking folder settings
Once all settings are applied, the folder will be accessible over the network. Its path usually looks like this: \\COMPUTER_NAME\FOLDER_NAME or \\192.168.1.5\FOLDER_NAMEUsing an IP address is often more reliable, as the computer name may be incorrectly resolved in complex networks.
Connecting to a network folder from other devices
To access a shared folder from another Windows computer, open File Explorer and enter the path to the resource in the address bar. If automatic discovery is enabled, you'll see the computer under "Network." If not, enter the address directly. The system may prompt you for credentials; in this case, enter the username and password for the user account on the computer where the folder is located.
For regular users, it's convenient to map a network folder as a separate drive. To do this, right-click "This PC" in File Explorer and select "Map network drive." Select any available drive letter (e.g., Z:) and specify the path to the folder. Check "Reconnect at logon" to make the drive accessible immediately after Windows boots.
⚠️ Important: If you encounter an error connecting, check that the time zones and time on both devices match. A time difference of more than a few minutes can result in Kerberos authentication failure and access blocking.
Owners of Android or iOS devices can also access files. To do this, use file managers with SMB support (for example, File Commander, Owlfiles (or the built-in Files app on iOS). In the app, select to add a new SMB/LAN storage, and the app will automatically search for available computers on the network. You'll be prompted to enter your Windows account login and password again.
Using a USB drive with a router
An alternative way to organize shared storage is to use the USB port on the router itself. Many modern models TP-Link, Asus, Keenetic And Mikrotik Allows you to connect an external hard drive or flash drive and share its contents over the network. This method is advantageous because you can access files even when the computer is turned off.
To set it up, connect the drive to the router's USB port and log in to its web interface (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1). Find the "USB Applications," "Sharing," or "Samba" section. Here, you need to enable the file server and specify the path to the connected drive. It's often necessary to create separate users for accessing files through the router, distinct from Windows users.
File copying speeds via a router are usually slower than when connected directly to a computer, as the router's processor is less powerful. However, this is perfectly adequate for watching videos or storing document backups. The advantage is that it's independent of your PC's state: files are available 24/7.
Why doesn't the router see the disk file system?
Some routers don't support the NTFS or exFAT file system. For maximum compatibility, format the drive to FAT32, but keep in mind that this system doesn't support files larger than 4 GB. An alternative is to use routers that support ext4 or NTFS.
Typical errors and methods for eliminating them
Setting up a network rarely goes perfectly the first time. The most common issue is computers not seeing each other in the Network list. This is often due to a disabled discovery service. Check Windows services: click Win + R, enter services.msc and find the "Function Discovery Resource Publishing" service. It should be running and running in automatic mode.
Another common error is "No access rights" or a password request that isn't accepted. This happens if the server computer uses a blank password or a Microsoft account with two-factor authentication. In such cases, it's best to create a local user with a simple password specifically for network access or enable guest access (although this is less secure).
A firewall may also be blocking the connection. If you're confident your network is secure, you can try temporarily disabling the firewall to test it. If the issue is resolved, add an exception rule for the SMB protocol (ports 139, 445) in the firewall settings instead of leaving it disabled.
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| The computer is not visible on the network | Network Profile "Public" | Switch to "Private" |
| Password request | Password protection is enabled | Disable in advanced settings |
| Error 0x80070035 | The network path was not found. | Check PC name or IP address |
| Access denied | No rights in the Security tab | Add user to permissions |
Network security and optimization
Open file access carries certain risks. If an intruder connects to your Wi-Fi, they could access your data. Therefore, it's critical to use a strong password for your Wi-Fi network. WPA2/WPA3Do not use older WEP or WPA (TKIP) encryption protocols, as they are easily cracked.
It's also not recommended to grant full "Everyone" access with write permissions to important system folders. Create separate directories for sharing and grant permissions only to them. Regularly check the list of connected devices in the router to ensure there are no unauthorized users on the network.
To optimize the transfer speed of large files, ensure all devices are connected to the 5 GHz band. The 2.4 GHz band is often overcrowded and doesn't provide the advertised speed, which is especially noticeable when transferring 4K video or large archives. Modern routers allow you to separate networks by frequency, which helps direct slow devices to the 2.4 GHz band and computers to the fast 5 GHz band.
⚠️ Note: Operating system and router interfaces are constantly being updated. Menu locations and item names may differ from those described in the instructions. If you can't find the setting you need, use the search within Windows settings or refer to your router manufacturer's documentation.
Questions and Answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to access a network folder from a phone via mobile internet (4G/5G)?
Directly—no, since the phone is on a different network. To access it from outside, you need to configure port forwarding on the router or use a VPN server (such as WireGuard or OpenVPN) to trick the phone into thinking it's on your home network.
Why is the folder opening slowly or files copying at a slow speed?
Speed is limited by the weakest link in the chain. This could be an older Wi-Fi standard (b/g/n), a weak signal, a busy channel with neighbors, or low write speeds to the receiving device's hard drive. Check the connection speed in the Wi-Fi adapter properties.
How do I hide a folder from prying eyes, leaving it accessible only to select people?
In the sharing settings, uncheck the "Everyone" group. Then click "Add" and enter the specific Windows user name allowed access. This user must have a password for the account.
Does the network folder work if the computer is turned off?
No, not if the folder is shared from a computer. The computer must be turned on and not in sleep mode. If you need constant access, consider using a NAS or connecting the drive directly to the router.