How to set up network file sharing on Windows 10 (2025)

• To share files on Windows 10, open the folder with the files in “File Explorer,” right-click the folder and access the “Properties,” navigate to the “Sharing” tab, click “Share,” choose the user or group, click “Add,” choose the access permissions, click on “Share.”
• To share files through Windows Search, open the folder with the files in File Explorer, right-click the item, and choose “Share.” Then, select the computer to which you want to send the file. The destination must confirm the download.
• To share files using OneDrive, open the local OneDrive folder, right-click the item, choose “Share,” confirm the recipient’s email, and click “Send.”

UPDATED 1/28/2025: On Windows 10, you can share files with other users over a network in several ways, depending on your environment. In this guide, I’ll outline the different ways to set up file sharing on your computer.

There are at least four methods for enabling file sharing on Windows 10. One straightforward option is the Public folder, which allows you to share files over a local network without configuring permissions. Alternatively, you can utilize the built-in File Sharing features in Windows 10 for more control over shared content. If you need to share files with others over the internet, the recommended approach is to use OneDrive.

In earlier versions of Windows, you could use Homegroup, a feature that automatically shared library folders (such as Pictures, Videos, Music, and Documents), printers, and other connected devices. Unlike the Public folder, Homegroup simplified sharing across devices on the same network. However, this feature has been discontinued on Windows 10.

In this guide, I will teach you how to share files over the network using File Sharing and OneDrive on Windows 10.

• Share files from File Explorer on Windows 10
• Share files without password on Windows 10
• Share files from OneDrive on Windows 10
• Share files from Windows Search on Windows 10

Share files from File Explorer on Windows 10

The built-in File Sharing feature on Windows 10 is the most flexible and effective way to share files over a local network. It allows you to set restrictive permissions and share files with virtually any device, including those running macOS, Android, and Linux.

You can share files using File Explorer in two ways:

• Basic Settings: Quickly share files on the network with minimal configuration.
• Advanced Settings: Customize permissions and configure additional options for more control.

In the instructions below, I will show you how to use both methods.

1. File sharing using basic settings

To share files on a local network using the express settings, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer on Windows 10.

2. Open the folder you want to share.

3. Right-click the item and select the Properties option.

   

4. Click on the Sharing tab.

5. Click the Share button.

   

6. Use the drop-down menu to select the user or group to share a file or folder. (For this guide, select the Everyone group.)

7. Click the Add button.

   

8. Under the “Permission Level” section, select the sharing permissions you want the folder to have. For instance, you can choose Read (default) if users only want to view and open files. If you select Read/Write, users can view, open, modify, and delete the content on the shared folder.

9. Click the Share button.

   

10. Confirm the folder’s network path so that other users can access the network’s content and click the Done button.

11. Click the Close button.

    

2. File sharing using advanced settings

To share files in the network using the advanced settings, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.

2. Open the location with the folder to share.

3. Right-click the item and select the Properties option.

4. Click on the Sharing tab.

5. Click the Advanced Sharing button.

   

6. Check the “Share this folder” option.

7. Click the Permissions button.

   

   Quick note: Windows 10 allows other users read-only access to the content you share by default, meaning they can only view files but cannot do anything else. If you want users to edit the files, delete, and create new documents in the location, you must manually select the permissions.

8. Select the Everyone group.

9. Check the permissions to access the contents of the folder:

   • Full Control: Enables users to read, change, and edit permissions. Also, it allows them to take ownership of files.
   • Change: Users can read, execute, write, and delete files and folders in the shared location.
   • Read: Allows users to access and view the contents of the folder.

   

10. Click the Apply button.

11. Click the OK button.

12. Click the Security tab.

13. Click the Edit button.

    

14. Click the Add button.

    

15. Click the Advanced button.

    

16. Click the Find now button.

17. Select the Everyone group.

    

18. Click the OK button.

19. Click the OK button again.

20. Select the Everyone group again.

21. Check the Full control option.

    

22. Click the Apply button.

23. Click the OK button.

24. Click the Close button.

Once you complete the steps, the shared content should be available when browsing the remote computer on File Explorer > Network.

If your device is set up with a Microsoft account, you may encounter a sign-in prompt when trying to access shared network content. In many cases, entering your email and password will fail. To resolve this issue, I recommend using a local account instead. You can configure the shared location with the “Everyone” group or use the username and password of an account that exists on the remote computer.

Another workaround is to switch your Microsoft account to a local account and then back to a Microsoft account. This method has worked for me in the past and often resolves the sign-in issue.

Share files without password on Windows 10

On Windows 10, shared files are secured by default with a username and password. This means only users with an account and password on the sharing computer can access the shared files.

However, if you’re setting up file sharing on a local network for family members or people you trust, you can disable the sign-in requirement. This allows users to access shared files without needing a password. While this method is not recommended for most scenarios due to security risks, it is an available option.

Disable file sharing password

To disable password protection for file sharing on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Control Panel.

2. Click on Network and Internet.

3. Click on Network and Sharing Center.

4. Click the “Change advanced sharing settings” option on the left pane.

   

5. Expand the All Networks tab.

6. Under the “Password protected sharing” section, select the “Turn off password protected sharing” option.

7. Click the Save changes button.

   

After you complete the steps, users should be able to access the shared folder without a password.

File sharing without password

To share files with everyone without a password over the network, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.

2. Navigate to the folder you want to share.

3. Right-click the item, and select the Properties option.

   

4. Click on the Sharing tab.

5. Click the Share button.

   

6. Use the drop-down menu to select the Everyone group.

7. Click the Add button.

   

8. Under the “Permission Level” section, select the sharing permissions you want the folder to have. For example, you can choose Read (the default) if users only want to view and open files. If you select Read/Write, users can view, open, modify, and delete the content of the shared folder.

9. Click the Share button.

   

10. Confirm the folder’s network path and click the Done button.

11. Click the Close button.

    

Once you complete the steps, other users won’t need the same account information on the devices to access the shared folder’s contents.

Share files from OneDrive on Windows 10

You can also share files across a network or the internet using OneDrive, and you can complete this task from File Explorer or the web version of OneDrive.

1. File sharing from File Explorer (OneDrive)

To share files from OneDrive on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open your OneDrive folder on File Explorer.

2. Open the folder you want to share.

3. Right-click the folder and select the Share option.

   

4. Confirm the email of the person to whom the content will be shared. (Or the available options to copy the link or share files using other apps.)

   

5. Click the Send button.

Any user who receives your message can click the link and view the folder’s content on any web browser.

2. File sharing from OneDrive (web)

If you want users to view and edit the content inside the OneDrive folder, you must share it using OneDrive on the web.

To share OneDrive files from the web, use these steps:

1. Open OneDrive online.

2. Open the file or folder you want to share.

3. Right-click the item and select the Share option.

   

4. Specify the email address to share the files. (You can also select the option to copy the link.)

   

5. Click the Send button.

Once you complete the steps, anyone with the link can edit the files in the folder.

If you only want to share files with specific users privately, you can share the content through email.

Share files from Windows Share on Windows 10

On Windows 10, Windows Search allows you to share files (not folders) and links with nearby devices using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and with apps installed on your computer. This feature works seamlessly between Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices.

It’s important to note that Windows Search sends a copy of the file to the recipient rather than making it available directly from your computer. This means the recipient receives their own version of the file, and the original remains on your device.

Enable Nearby Sharing from Settings

You can share a file with applications without additional configuration. However, to share content with nearby devices, you must enable the “Nearby Sharing” feature.

To enable Nearby Sharing on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on System.

3. Click on Shared experiences.

4. Turn on the “Nearby sharing” toggle switch.

   

After you complete the steps, you can proceed to share files with other devices. (You must repeat these steps on all the devices participating in the sharing process.)

File sharing with Windows Search

To share files with other devices with the Windows Search interface, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.

2. Open the folder with the files you want to share.

3. Right-click the file and select the Share option.

   

4. Select the app or device to share the file.

   Quick note: If you have the Phone Link app configured on your phone, you can share files directly with your Android device.

5. Continue with the on-screen directions.

Once you complete the steps, if you select an application, the file will be attached for sharing. If you choose to share a file with a device, you should see a notification that you must confirm to complete the transfer on the destination computer. When using this method, the file will be uploaded to the “Downloads” folder by default.

Files you share will only be available to users if their computers are turned on, except for the OneDrive sharing method. However, users must have an internet connection to access the shared content using OneDrive.

Update January 28, 2025: This guide has been revised to ensure accuracy and reflect any changes.