Enabling file sharing in Windows 10 means a Private network, Network Discovery on, and a folder shared through its Properties menu.
How Does Windows 10 File Sharing Work?
Windows 10 file sharing transfers files directly between PCs on the same local network using the built-in SMB protocol. No internet connection or cloud subscription is required. The entire setup takes under ten minutes and gives you precise control over which folders are visible and who can open them.
Step 1: Setting Your Network Profile to Private
File sharing is blocked by default on Public networks. Switching to Private tells Windows the network is trusted.
- Open Start > Settings > Network & Internet.
- Select Ethernet or Wi-Fi, then click Change connection properties.
- Under “Network profile”, select Private.
If you are on a Windows 10 version older than the Creators Update (version 1703), find this setting in Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center. Click your network name and select “Private”.
Step 2: Enabling Network Discovery and File Sharing
With the network profile set, the next step is to turn on discovery and sharing inside the Control Panel.
- Open Control Panel and go to Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
- In the left pane, click Change advanced sharing settings.
- Under Private (current profile), select:
- Turn on network discovery (check “Turn on automatic setup of network connected devices”).
- Turn on file and printer sharing.
- Under All Networks, decide on password protection. Turn it Off for simple home access, or leave it On to require the host PC’s username and password.
- Click Save changes.
Step 3: Sharing a Specific Folder
Windows 10 does not share entire drives by default. You choose exactly which folders are served to the network.
- Right-click the folder you want to share and select Properties.
- Go to the Sharing tab and click Advanced Sharing.
- Check Share this folder.
- Enter a Share name like “SharedDocs” or “Backup”.
- Click Permissions. Select “Everyone” and set the access level to Read, Change, or Full Control.
Why Can’t I See the Shared Folder on My Network?
When the folder doesn’t appear on another PC, one of these common issues is the cause. The table below covers the fix for each situation.
| Problem | Most Likely Cause | The Fix |
|---|---|---|
| PC is invisible on the network | Network profile is still set to Public | Change it to Private following Step 1 |
| “Access denied” when connecting | Password protected sharing is ON, but the account credentials don’t match | Turn password protected sharing OFF, or log in with the exact username and password of the host PC |
| Shared folder does not appear | Folder was not explicitly shared via Advanced Sharing | Use the Properties > Sharing > Advanced Sharing method in Step 3 |
| Cannot connect at all | Firewall is blocking SMB traffic on Port 445 | Allow “File and Printer Sharing” in Windows Defender Firewall or your third-party firewall |
| Folder shows up but is empty | NTFS permissions are blocking access | Go to the Security tab in the folder’s Properties and add “Everyone” with Read permissions |
Setting Up File Sharing in Windows 10: Security and Key Settings
A secure file share requires understanding a few built-in protections and settings.
SMB 1.0 is disabled by default on modern versions of Windows 10 (post-2018 updates). Keep it disabled. The WannaCry ransomware exploited SMB 1.0, and the SMB 2.0 and 3.0 protocols handle all necessary tasks for modern networks. Only re-enable it if you must connect to legacy hardware like Windows XP.
Two permission layers must match. Share permissions (set in Advanced Sharing) and NTFS permissions (set in the Security tab) both apply. The more restrictive rule wins. If the share allows “Full Control” but NTFS allows “Read”, the client gets “Read”.
The firewall automatically opens Port 445 when you enable File and Printer Sharing. If you use a strict third-party firewall, verify it is not blocking this port. For the latest official safety recommendations, refer to Microsoft’s file sharing documentation.
Connecting to the Shared Folder from Another PC
Once the host is ready, accessing the share from another Windows 10 PC on the same network takes only a moment.
Open File Explorer. Type the network path into the address bar:
\\HOSTPCNAME\ShareName
To find your host PC’s name, open Command Prompt and type hostname.
You can also browse for it by clicking Network in File Explorer’s left sidebar. The shared folder appears under the host computer’s name. Note that it may take a minute or two to appear after you enable sharing.
Your Windows 10 Network Share is Ready
That is the complete process. Set the network to Private, turn on discovery and sharing, and pick the folder to share. You now have a direct file transfer pipeline between your Windows 10 PCs without any extra software, cloud services, or hardware.
References & Sources
- Microsoft. “File sharing over a network in Windows” Official support documentation covering network profiles, SMB protocol, and setup steps.