How to view shared folders on Windows
Shared folders are a useful tool for sharing files and documents between different devices within the same network. If you're using a Windows operating system, you can easily share a folder and access it from other PCs or devices connected to the same network.
However, you may have difficulty finding shared folders on your computer. In this article, I'll show you how to view shared folders on Windows quickly and easily.
What are shared folders?
Shared folders are folders that can be accessed by more than one device within the same local network. This means that if you have two or more computers connected to the same network, you can create a shared folder on one of the computers and access that folder from the other computer as well.
The sharing of folders can be useful in various situations, such as:
- Sharing files among family members or work team members
- Accessing files from your smartphone or tablet without having to manually transfer them
- Working on a file from different devices without having to copy it every time to all devices
Now that you know what a shared folder is, let's see how to find it on your Windows computer.
Accessing shared folders
After locating the shared folder you want to access, there are several ways to connect to it:
- Using the UNC address: By entering the UNC address of the shared folder in the file explorer address bar, you can access it. The UNC address has the following format: \\computer_name\shared_folder_name. For example, if the shared folder is named "Shared Documents" and is located on a computer called "Office", the UNC address would be \\office\shared_documents.
- Adding a new network location: If you plan to frequently access the shared folder, it may be useful to add it as a network location. To do this, open File Explorer and select "This PC" from the left menu. Then, click on "Map network drive" from the top toolbar. In the window that opens, select an available drive from the drop-down list and enter the UNC address of the shared folder in the "Folder" field. Click "Finish" to complete the process.
- Using network search: Windows also offers a network search function that allows you to search for available shared folders on the network. To access this function, open File Explorer and click on "Network" from the left menu. At the bottom right of the window, select "Search for other network resources". In the window that opens, you can search for the shared folder by name or IP address.
Once connected to the shared folder, you can view and modify files inside it as if they were present on your own computer.
Configure sharing options
After creating a shared folder, you can configure its options to control user access and sharing mode.
1. Select the shared folder
To configure sharing options, you need to select the shared folder that you want to modify.
2. Right-click on the folder
Right-click on the selected folder and choose "Properties" from the drop-down menu.
3. Access the "Sharing" tab
In the folder properties window, access the "Sharing" tab. Here you can modify the sharing settings of the folder.
4. Modify sharing settings
In this section, you can choose who has access to the folder and how they can access it. You can add or remove users from the list of users authorized to access the folder and specify their permission levels (read/write). Additionally, you can choose the sharing mode (e.g., read-only or full access) and set a password to limit unauthorized access.
5. Save changes
After making all desired changes, click "Apply" or "OK" to save the sharing settings.
Configuring sharing options is an important step in ensuring data security and controlling user access to shared folders. By following these simple steps, you can customize sharing settings according to your needs.
Connect to a shared folder
After locating the shared folder you want to access, you can connect to it by following these steps:
- Right-click on the shared folder
- Select "Specific people" option
- Add authorized users
- Set access permissions
- Share the folder
- Access the shared folder
To connect to a shared folder on Windows, first locate the folder. Once found, right-click on the folder and select "Share with" from the drop-down menu.
After selecting "Share with", a dialog box will appear offering several options for sharing the folder. Select "Specific people" to allow access only to specified users.
In the next dialog box, add the users that you want to authorize to access the shared folder. To do so, type the name of the user or group in the appropriate field and click "Add".
After adding authorized users, set desired access permissions for each user or group. To do so, select the user or group and choose appropriate access permissions from the drop-down list.
After setting the desired access permissions for all authorized users, click "Share" to complete the process of sharing the folder.
Once the folder has been shared, authorized users can access it from another computer on the local network. To do so, open File Explorer and type in the name of the computer where the shared folder is located in the address bar. Then, select the shared folder and click "Connect". Enter the credentials of the authorized user account and click "OK" to access the shared folder.
By following these steps, you'll be able to easily connect to a shared folder on Windows and access its contents from any device on your local network.
Troubleshooting shared folder access issues
If you've followed all the above steps but still can't access shared folders, there may be an authorization issue. Here are some tips to troubleshoot:
Check security settings
Firstly, make sure that your computer's security settings are properly configured to allow access to shared folders. You can do this by following these steps:
- Click Start and type "Control Panel" in the search bar.
- Select "System and Security" and then "Windows Firewall".
- In the firewall window, select "Allow an app or feature through Windows Firewall" and make sure the checkbox for "File and Printer Sharing" is selected.
Add a user account
If you're trying to access a shared folder on another computer, you may need to add a user account to the remote computer. You can do this by following these steps:
- Click Start and type "Computer Management" in the search bar.
- Select "Computer Management" from the list of results.
- In the Computer Management window, expand "Local Users and Groups" and select "Users".
- Click "New User" and follow the instructions to create a new user account.
- Go back to the shared folder and add the new user account to the access permissions.
Check sharing settings
Finally, make sure that the sharing settings for the folder are properly configured. You can do this by following these steps:
- Right-click on the shared folder and select "Properties".
- In the Properties window, select the "Sharing" tab.
- Make sure that the checkbox for "Share this folder" is selected.
- Add the user accounts that you want to grant access to the shared folder.
By following these suggestions, you should be able to solve issues with accessing shared folders on Windows. If you still have difficulties, it may be necessary to contact a computer technician for further assistance.
Conclusion
Accessing shared folders on Windows can be very useful for sharing files and documents with other users. However, sometimes access issues can occur which can be frustrating. By following the suggestions outlined in this article, you should be able to solve most issues with accessing shared folders. Always remember to check security settings, add necessary user accounts, and properly configure folder sharing settings.
Michael Anderson - Software Engineer
My name is Michael Anderson, and I work as a computer engineer in Midland, Texas.
My passion is sharing my knowledge in various areas, and my purpose is to make education accessible to everyone. I believe it is essential to explain complex concepts in a simple and interesting way.
With GlobalHowTo, I aim to motivate and enrich the minds of those who want to learn.
