How to share a single folder or file over a network in Windows 11

If you have multiple computers at home or in the office, share on local network en Windows 11 It's practically essential to avoid carrying USB drives around. Windows has changed quite a bit since the HomeGroup days, but it still offers many ways to share content quickly and securely.

Throughout this guide you will see, step by step, All the practical ways to share a folder or file in Windows 11You can connect via a local network using SMB, with OneDrive, via email, with nearby devices via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and using external applications. Furthermore, network settings, permissions, SMB protocols, common errors and their solutions are explained, so you can master the topic at both a basic and advanced level.

Key concepts and changes compared to previous versions of Windows

Before we delve into the buttons and menus, it's important to understand that Microsoft has been eliminating old ways of sharing networks. The classic Workgroup It still exists but it's not as relevant anymore, and the famous Home Group It disappeared starting with Windows 10 version 1803. This has forced many users to change their mindset and rely on the sharing options built into Windows.

Nowadays, Windows 11 is based on the SMB protocol (Server Message Block) for sharing files and folders on a local network, just like Windows 78 and 10, but with more layers of security and with some older protocols disabled by default, such as SMB 1.0, which is problematic from a security standpoint. ciberseguridad.

Furthermore, the system distinguishes between Network profiles: Private, Public, and DomainTo easily share folders at home or in the office, it is recommended that the network be configured as PrivateIn public networks (cafeterias, hotels, etc.) Windows disables many sharing functions to avoid surprises.

Another important point is that access to shared folders is controlled with two levels of permissionsSMB sharing permissions and permissions NTFS (Security tab). Although it may sound a bit technical, combining both levels allows you to limit who sees what and with what level of control (read-only or full control).

Finally, security has been tightened since Windows 10 and Windows 11. guest sessions and passwordless accessIt is possible to configure anonymous or credentialless access, but it is not recommended, and you will see later what options are available and what risks are involved.

Prerequisites for sharing folders and files in Windows 11

For sharing a folder over a network to work smoothly, it is essential Review your network and security settings before startingYou don't need to be a system administrator, but you do need to follow some basic guidelines.

The first thing to check is network profileIn Windows 11, you must ensure that your connection is defined as Private networkThis is done from Settings> Network and Internet, by entering the adapter properties (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and choosing the profile PrivateIn this way, Windows allows device detection and sharing.

Next, some things need to be activated. advanced sharing options. From the classic Center network and sharing (you can open it with the command control /name Microsoft.NetworkAndSharingCenter), enters Change advanced sharing settingsIn the Private profile, select:

• Enable network discovery
• Enable file and printer sharing

Inside the section All networks you can decide if You use public folders and you password-protect the sharing.Disabling password protection simplifies things, but increases the riskespecially on insecure networks.

In certain configurations it is also advisable Review Windows services related to network discovery. Services like Function Discovery Provider Host (fdPHost), Function Discovery Resource Publication (FDResPub), UPNP host device (upnphost) y SSDP detection (SSDPSRV) They should be in Automatic start so that the teams can see each other without problems.

Additionally, if you want to use SMB sharing seriously, it's recommended that the drives be in NTFSThe volumes in FAT32 They don't display the Security tab and severely restrict fine-grained permissions. And as for the firewall, TCP ports 445, 139, 138, and 137 must be openeither directly or through the rules that Windows automatically creates when you enable file and printer sharing.

Creating users and groups to control access

Although you can share a folder with your own account, the cleanest and safest way is to create specific accounts for access to shared resourcesEspecially if several people will be using the same remote computer. That way you don't have to give away your personal password to anyone.

In Windows 10/11 Pro and later you can use the console of Team management (compmgmt.msc). From there, in Local Users and Groups > UsersIt is possible to create accounts like user11, user12, user13, user14 or others you want, defining passwords and account options. All will remain, by default, in the group Users standard.

If multiple users are going to have exactly the same permissions on the folder, it makes more sense. create a groupFrom the same section, in GroupsYou can add a new group, for example sharegroup1and then add the relevant users to it. After that, you'll only need to grant permissions to the group instead of going user by user.

This way of working has several advantages: You centralize permissions in the groupThis makes it easier to revoke or add access and reduces configuration errors. If you later need to change the access level (from read-only to full control, for example), you only need to do it once for the group, and it will automatically apply to all its members.

In small domestic settings you can skip this step and share with AllBut if you want to maintain a minimum of order and security, using separate users and groups is highly recommended even with few PCs.

How to share a single folder or file over a network in Windows 11

With the network now ready, it's time to see How to share a specific folder or even a single file in File ExplorerThe flow is virtually the same in Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11, although some menus change.

In Windows 11, locate the folder or file you want to share in File Explorer. You can:

• right click about the element, choose Grant access to > Specific users.
• Or select the file, go to the tab Share of the upper tape and, in the section Share with, choose Specific users.

The window will open Network access, where you can choose the users or groups with whom the resource will be sharedYou can select a specific account, a group you've created, or the option All to allow general access from the network. In that same window you can specify the type of permission: it is usually offered Reading o Reading and writing.

If you select multiple files at onceYou can share them all at once using this same dialog box. And if you're sharing a folder, Everything inside it will be accessible (and also what is saved later, unless you change the permissions).

When you finish the wizard, Windows displays a message notifying you that the folder or file is now shared and offers copy the network path or even open the email client to send a link to users who need to log in. That path is usually in the format \\NombreEquipo\NombreRecurso and it can be used directly in Explorer or in the Run dialog box.

Advanced sharing: SMB and NTFS permissions

If you want more powerful control, you can use the Windows advanced sharing optionIt works the same on Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11 and is especially useful on computers that act almost like a small file server.

To get there, right-click on the folder you want to share (for example, share 01), enters Properties and open the tab ShareInstead of using the button Share, click on Advanced sharing. Check the box Share this folder and assign a shared resource name (may or may not match the folder name).

Then, on the button Permissionsyou will be able to configure the SMB permissions at the share levelThe group appears as shown from the factory All with read-only permissions, but the usual practice is to remove that group and add specific users or groups (for example, sharegroup1 with total control and user14 (Read only).

Once sharing is configured, on the tab Security From the folder properties you can adjust the NTFS permissionsAdd the same users and groups you used in the Sharing section, and define whether they have Full Control, Modify, Read and Execute, etc. The combination of shared permissions and NTFS ultimately determines what each user can do.

Remember this rule of thumb: The effective permission is the most restrictive between SMB and NTFSIn other words, if you've granted Full Control in SMB but only Read in NTFS, the user will end up with Read access, not Full Control. That's why it's advisable to maintain consistency between both permission levels to avoid surprises.

Alternative ways to create and manage shared resources

In addition to Explorer, Windows includes the add-on Shared folders (fsmgmt.msc), accessible from the Computer Management console. It's a very useful tool when you already have several shared resources and want manage them from a single site.

Within Shared folders, at the node Shared resources You can see all the folders that the computer is serving, both those you created and those you created. administrative divisions (C$, ADMIN$, etc.) that Windows generates for remote administration tasks. From here, you can create new shared resources with a wizard, modify permissions, or stop sharing a folder.

At the nodes of Sessions y Open files you can control who is connected to your shared resources and what files they have openThis is perfect for closing stuck sessions or unlocking files that have become stuck on the network.

Interestingly, in Windows NT-based systems (Windows 10, 11, etc.) there are administrative folders like C$ o ADMIN$They usually end in $ precisely to remain hidden during normal explorations, and They are only accessible to accounts with administrative privileges.Some systems Linux, like Ubuntu, show these shares even though Windows hides them from its own clients.

If you prefer to go online commands and scripts, there are cmdlets for PowerShell , the Get-SmbShare o Get-SmbShareAccess which allow you to consult and modify shared resources in an automated way, very practical in networks with many computers.

Accessing a shared folder or file from another Windows computer

Once the shared folder has been created, the next step is access it from another PC with Windows 10 or 11The most visual way is to open File Explorer and click on Red in the left panel. If everything is configured correctly, you will see a list of devices available on your network.

Double-clicking on a device will display its shared resources, usually a users folder (Usersand the folders that the administrator has published. Navigate through the path until you reach the folder you are interested in; you will only see those for which you have permissions.

If for some reason the network browser doesn't list the devices correctly, you can go more directly by typing the UNC route in the Explorer address bar or in the Run dialog box (Win+R). For example:

• \\192.168.101.212\share01
• \\Computer10\share01

The first form uses the IP address of the team, the second the host nameIf you're having name resolution problems, IP addresses are usually more reliable. This is especially convenient for client machines that frequently connect to the same folder. assign it as a network drive To make it always appear with a letter (Z:, for example): simply right-click on the shared folder and choose Map network driveselect the letter and mark Reconnect on login.

When you connect, if the SMB server requires credentials, Windows will ask you user and passwordYou can use an existing local account on the remote computer or a valid Microsoft account for that system. If you select the box to remember credentials, they will be stored in the Credential manager and you won't have to enter them every time.

Accessing SMB resources from Ubuntu and other Linux distributions

If your network includes both Windows and Linux computers, it's also possible. Accessing shared folders in Windows 11 from Ubuntu and related systems. The procedure is quite similar to what you do in Windows, only from the Linux file explorer.

In Ubuntu, open the file explorer (Nautilus) and enter other locationsYou'll see a section for Windows network and, at the bottom, a field called Connect to serverEnter the path to the Windows computer there using the following format:

smb://192.168.1.97

Change the IP address to the one of the computer where you have the shared folder. When connecting, Ubuntu will ask you username, password and workgroupYou can leave the group as default if it matches your network; the credentials must be valid on the Windows machine.

Once authenticated, the system will display all SMB resources exported by the Windows teamIn some cases you will see more than just the folder Users or the shared folder you created, but also the administrative shares C$, ADMIN$, etc. Keep in mind that actual access will depend on the permissions of the account you use; if you don't have administrator privileges, you'll only be able to open what you're authorized to open.

As in Windows, the internal path to the shared folder will be the same directory structure, although not all intermediate folders are always shown if they are not shared or if your user does not have rights over them.

Sharing folders in Windows 11 with more “open” access

Windows 11 has greatly simplified the experience for the home user: when you share a folder on a private networkIf you configure it that way, any other computer on the same network can see and use those files without having to enter credentials every other day.

This is achieved by combining several settings: enabling network discovery, file and printer sharing, and, if you want a very "plug and play" experience, Disable password-protected sharing in the advanced options. For familiar scenarios, there are even specific guides on how set up a shared folder for the whole family.

When you share a folder with permissions of Reading and writingyour network users will be able to add, modify and delete files and subfolders within it. This grants a lot of freedom and is perfect for collaborative work folders, but obviously requires trusting those who have access.

In networks with multiple devices and users, it's usually a good idea to combine this ease of use with a bit of discipline: read-only folders for common content (manuals, templates, etc.) and folders with write permissions only for those who really need it.

If you notice strange behavior, suspicious logins, or disappearing files, check that you haven't left the "Everyone" options too open and consider reactivating password protection or restricting access to specific users.

Sharing folders with OneDrive in Windows 11

Beyond the local network, Windows 11 integrates by default with OneDrive, the service of storage in the Microsoft cloudIt's a very convenient solution for sharing a folder or file with someone who It's not on your same network or even lives in another city.

OneDrive offers basic free storage, and if you have a subscription to Microsoft 365It offers significantly more storage capacity. To use it, simply log in with your Microsoft account and have the OneDrive client running on your computer. The OneDrive folder appears in the left pane of File Explorer.

If you already have the file you want to share on your PC, you can do Right-click and choose “Move to OneDrive”In this way it will move to sync up with the cloud and it will be available to share. Another option is to simply drag files or folders to the OneDrive folder as you would any other location.

Once uploaded, locate the file or folder within the OneDrive path, right-click, and select ShareIn Windows 11, if you don't see the direct option, you can use Show more options to display the classic menu. From there you can generate a link and decide:

• Si anyone with the link can access it or only specific people.
• If they have permits to read-only or also edit.
• Whether the link expires on a date or not, and whether a password is required to open it.

The advantage of this method is that The other person doesn't have to share a network with you.You can be in another city or country and access it simply from your browser or your own OneDrive client. Furthermore, the information travels encrypted and benefits from Microsoft's cloud security measures.

Share folders or files via email

If you have an email application set up on your desktop (the Mail app, Outlook, Thunderbird, etc.), Windows 11 allows quickly send a compressed file or folder to an email recipient from within the Explorer itself.

You just need to locate the item you want to share, then do Right-click > Show more options and choose Mail recipientWindows will automatically open a new message in your default email client, with the attachment, ready for you to fill in the recipient's address and subject.

Keep in mind that many email providers They place limits on the size of attachmentsFor large folders, it may be better to compress the contents into a .zip file before sending it, or directly use OneDrive, which allows sharing much larger volumes via links.

If you want to share an entire folder, it's usually convenient. compress it first (Right-click > Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder) and then attach the compressed file to the email. This way, everything travels in a single file and subfolder structures are preserved.

This method is ideal for one-off shipments and a single personwhere you don't need the content to be kept synchronized or permanently available, just that the other user receives and downloads it.

Share files with nearby devices (Bluetooth / Wi-Fi)

Another interesting feature of Windows 11 is the sharing with nearby devices, which uses Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to send files between computers that are close enough and have Windows 10 or 11.

To activate it, go to Home > Settings > System > Nearby SharingThere you can decide if you want to share only with your devices or with all nearby teamsBoth computers must have this option enabled and have working Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

Next, select the file in Explorer, right-click, and press on ShareWindows will display a panel with possible recipients and applications. Choose the device you want to send the file to; a notification will appear on the other computer asking you to send it. accept the transfer (“Save” or “Save and open”).

This method is very useful for quickly flip a document, photo, or short video between portable without having to set up permanent shared resources or use the cloud. However, for large volumes or entire folders, a classic SMB resource or a OneDrive folder is more convenient.

If the other device does not appear in the list, check that both devices are on the same network profile, that Bluetooth is turned on, and that Nearby sharing should not be limited to just “My Devices” if the other PC uses a different account. Also, to send by Bluetooth Both devices must have Bluetooth enabled and paired.

Share with other installed applications

Windows 11 integrates a panel of share with apps which allows you to send a file directly to apps Messaging, social media, notes, etc., without intermediate steps. It's a quick way to reuse the same sharing mechanism for all kinds of services.

Again, select the file, right-click, and choose ShareYou'll see a list of compatible apps (for example, email apps, messaging apps, cloud storage clients). You just have to click on the desired app so that it opens with the file already attached or referenced. The option to Nearby Share or similar services to send files to mobile phones and other devices using Nearby Share.

If the app you're looking for doesn't appear, you can tap on Search for more apps And Windows will allow you to locate other installed apps or even suggest Microsoft Store apps that support that type of sharing.

This method is especially useful if you use desktop messaging clients (like some business applications) and you want to avoid the classic "drag and drop" or having to search for the file from within the app each time.

However, remember that, unlike network or cloud sharing, here each application manages its own copies or transfers, so You won't have a "live" shared folder but on-time shipments.

Configure passwordless access and guest sessions (with risks)

Although by default Windows forces shared folders to be password protectedThere are several ways to facilitate access without requiring credentials each time, or even to allow anonymous guests. These are convenient options, but it's important to understand what they entail.

The most recommended solution, if you want comfort but without completely leaving yourself unprotected, is Use the same username and password on both computersFor example, if the account exists on computer 1 User1 with key Password1, and on computer 2 you also create User1 with the same password, when you log in with User1 on the client And when you access the server, Windows will not ask you for credentials again (authentication is done transparently).

You can also go to the advanced sharing options, in section All networksand enable:

• Sharing allows anyone with network access to read and write to public folders.
• Disable password-protected sharing.

This allows Any LAN user can enter without a password.which is convenient but very insecure in environments where you don't control who connects to the network (for example, Wi-Fi without a strong key or with frequent guests).

Beyond that, there is the possibility of enabling policies such as Network Access: Allow Everyone permissions to apply to anonymous users or allow insecure guest logins in the group directive (gpedit.msc) or through registration (key AllowInsecureGuestAuthThese options are designed for compatibility with very old devices, and are not recommended unless you know exactly what you are doing and have no other option.

Furthermore, these practices have been further tightened starting with certain versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11: for example, in Windows 11 24H2 Unsafe guest logins are blocked by default, and you must take explicit action via Group Policy, Registry, or PowerShell commands such as Set-SmbClientConfiguration -EnableInsecureGuestLogons $true to allow them again.

SMB protocols: versions, security and compatibility

Behind file sharing in Windows is the protocol SMB (Server Message Block)Today, Windows 10 and 11 use SMB 3.xwhich offers encryption and protection against many modern attacks. However, some older devices (such as computers running Windows XP or certain very old NAS devices) still rely on SMB1.0which Microsoft disables by default because it is unsafe.

If you try to connect from a device that only speaks SMBv1 to a shared folder in Windows 10/11, you may see errors such as 0 x 80004005 o Windows cannot access \\server\resourceIn those cases, you can check which SMB versions are active using PowerShell, for example:

• Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName SMB1Protocol
• Get-SmbServerConfiguration | Select EnableSMB2Protocol
• Get-SmbServerConfiguration | select "*enablesmb*"

If compatibility requires you to activate SMB 1.0, you can do so from Windows features (optionalfeatures) marking Support for SMB 1.0/CIFS file sharingor by using commands such as:

Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName SMB1Protocol

Even if it works, you must be clear that SMBv1 brings serious risks (Attacks like WannaCry and NotPetya, and exploits like EternalBlue and EternalRomance, etc., exploited vulnerabilities in this protocol.) Microsoft has even introduced mechanisms for automatically removing SMB1 when it hasn't been used for a while.

Ideally, whenever possible, Ensure all your equipment and devices use SMB 2 or, even better, SMB 3, keeping them updated to benefit from the latest security fixes and performance improvements.

Common mistakes when sharing folders and how to fix them

No matter how well you configure everything, it's quite common to encounter Error messages when accessing shared foldersKnowing the most common ones will help you solve them without wasting hours.

One of the most common is the message: Windows cannot access \\hostname\share. You do not have permission to access this share.It usually indicates that The user is not listed in the permissions list or that the SMB/NTFS permissions are not configured correctly. It is advisable to check:

• Shared permissions with Get-SmbShareAccess -Name "share01".
• NTFS permissions with get-acl C:\share01\ | fl.
• Make sure the username and password are correct.
• Credentials stored in the Credential managerin case there were any old passwords saved.

Another classic is the error 0x80070035 (Network route not found)The following problems are common here:

• Incompatible SMB versions between client and server.
• Services like employee, Publishing resources for feature discovery o Function Detection Provider Host unemployed.
• Firewall or antivirus blocking SMB traffic.

In scenarios where guest/anonymous is used and the warning appears that Your organization's security policies block access from unauthenticated guests.The safe solution is Stop using guest access and switch to authenticated connections with a username and password, ideally via SMBv3. Forcing insecure startups through policies or logging should only be a last resort.

Finally, keep in mind that the Windows 10/11 client has a limit of 20 simultaneous connections to shared resources per team. If more than 20 users try to connect to the same client machine acting as a file server, the 21st user will start receiving errors. For scenarios with many concurrent users, the ideal is migrate to a Windows Server or a NAS designed as a file server.

Windows 11 offers a very complete range of options for sharing a single folder or a single file over a networkFrom classic SMB usage on private networks, through OneDrive cloud services, to quick options like email or sharing with nearby devices. By adjusting permissions, network profiles, SMB versions, and adhering to basic security best practices, you have a platform flexible enough to adapt to a shared apartment or a small office with multiple teams. OS mixed.