The easiest way to share files and folders with others on a Windows computer is by using the Basic File & Folder Sharing feature as available in Windows.
The Basic File Sharing feature in Windows allows you to share file/folder with everyone or with specific people on the network and it also provides the option set permissions (Read/Write) for the file/folder that you are sharing.
The Advanced File Sharing feature in Windows provides the option to customize permission levels for different users, disable password, limit the number of simultaneous users and other options.
Enable File Sharing in Windows
While Windows computers come with the built-in ability to share files and folders, the option to make the computer visible or discoverable on the Network and allow File and Printer Sharing is not enable by default.
Hence, the first step that is required to Share Files with others on network is to enable Network Discovery and switch ON the option Share Files & Printers on your computer.
1. Enable Network Discovery & File Sharing
You can follow the steps below to enable Network Discovery and File/Printer Sharing option on your Windows computer.
1. Type Control Panel in Windows Search Bar and click on Control Panel in the Search results.
2. On the Control Panel screen, switch to Large Icons view and click on Network & Sharing Center.
3. On Network & Sharing Center screen, click on Change Advanced Sharing Settings link in the left-pane.
4. On the next screen, select the Network (Private or Public) over which you want to Share Files.
In this case, we have selected Private Network to Share Files with other computers over a Private Network.
5. Next, select Turn ON Network Discovery, Turn On File and printer sharing options and click on Save changes button.
Once Network Discovery and File & Printer Sharing option is selected, your computer will become visible on the network and you will be able to Share Files with other users on the network.
2. Share Files Using Basic File Sharing
The Basic File Sharing feature as available in Windows, makes it really easy to quickly share Files and Folders with all or selected people on the network.
1. Right-click on the Folder containing Files that you want to share with others and click on Properties.
2. On File properties screen, select the Sharing tab and click on the Share button.
3. On the next screen, select the “User” that you want to share files with. If the User is not available, type User Name and click on the Add button.
4. Under Permission Level, select the type of sharing permissions that you want to grant to this User and click on the Share button.
Select the default Read option, in case you want the User to just View and Open Files. If you want the User to be able to Modify and Delete Files, select the Read/Write option.
5. On the next screen, copy or note down the Network Path for the Shared Folder and click on Done.
You can also Email the Network Path to Users that you want to Share Files with.
3. Share Files Using Advanced Settings
If required, you can setup custom permission levels for different users and limit the number of simultaneous users that can access the Shared File/Folder by using Advanced File Sharing.
1. Right-click on the Folder containing Files that you want to share with others and click on Properties.
2. On the next screen, select the Sharing tab and click on Advanced Sharing button.
3. On Advanced Sharing screen, check Share this folder option, set the Limit for simultaneous users and click on Permissions.
4. On Permissions screen, you can customize the permissions level for specific users.
If you want the User to be able to open, edit, delete and create files, select both Read and Change boxes under “Allow” section.
5. Click on Apply > OK to close the screen and then click on OK to close the Advanced Sharing screen
4. Share Files Without User Name and Password Requirement
By default, anyone trying to access Shared Files located on a Windows computer will be required to enter User Name and Password.
However, it is possible to disable this requirement by turning OFF “Password Protected Sharing” option on Advanced Sharing Settings screen.
1. Right-click on the Folder containing Files that you want to share with others and click on Properties.
2. On the next screen, click on Network and Sharing Center link.
3. On Advanced Sharing settings screen, expand All Networks tab.
4. Scroll down in “All Networks” section > select Turn off password protected sharing and click on Save changes.
Now, others Users on the network will be able to access the shared Files/Folders on your computer, without the need to enter User Name and Password.