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To network two Windows 11 or Windows 10 PCs for file sharing, connect both to the same local network, set that network to Private, enable discovery and file sharing, then share a folder. The computers do not both need to use Wi-Fi: one can use Wi-Fi and the other Ethernet if both connections lead to the same router and LAN.
This guide uses Windows’ built-in SMB sharing. It does not require HomeGroup, which was removed from Windows 10, and it is different from Nearby sharing, which is intended for sending individual files.
Before you start
Check these points on both computers:
- Both PCs are connected to the same local network, normally through the same router.
- Each PC is awake and connected when you try to access its files.
- You know the name of the computer containing the shared folder.
- The network is trusted. Do not mark a network Private when you are connected to a public or untrusted network.
A Wi-Fi network named similarly on two different routers may still be two separate networks. If the PCs cannot reach each other, confirm that both are connected to the same router or LAN.
1. Set both network connections to Private
Windows restricts discovery and file sharing on Public networks. Windows 11 normally assigns newly connected networks the Public profile, so check this setting even if the internet works on both PCs.
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Windows 11
- Open Start > Settings > Network & internet.
- Select Wi-Fi, then select the connected Wi-Fi network. For a wired connection, select Ethernet.
- Under Network profile type, select Private network.
Windows 10
- Open Start > Settings > Network & Internet.
- Select Wi-Fi or Ethernet, then select the connected network’s Properties.
- Under Network profile, select Private.
Repeat the process on the other PC. A Private profile makes the computer discoverable to other devices on that trusted network; it does not share files by itself.
2. Turn on network discovery and file sharing
Windows 11
- Go to Start > Settings > Network & internet.
- Select Advanced network settings.
- Select Advanced sharing settings.
- Expand Private networks.
- Turn on Network discovery and File and printer sharing.
Windows 10
- Go to Start > Settings > Network & Internet.
- Select Sharing options.
- Under Private, turn on Turn on Network discovery and Turn on file and printer sharing.
If File Explorer shows the message “Network discovery is turned off…”, select the banner and choose Turn on network discovery and file sharing.
About password-protected sharing
Windows 10’s Microsoft troubleshooting procedure also includes a separate setting under All Networks: Turn off password protected sharing. This can make access simpler on a trusted home network, but it reduces protection because users may not need to authenticate with an account password.
Turning this setting off does not share a folder. You still have to share the folder using Give access to > Specific people or Everyone. If you leave password-protected sharing on, connect using an account permitted on the computer hosting the folder.
3. Share a folder
Share a folder rather than an entire drive unless you have a specific reason to expose the whole drive. Sharing a folder also shares the files inside it.
Windows 11
- Open File Explorer and find the folder.
- Right-click it and select Show more options.
- Select Give access to, then Specific people.
- Select a particular user, or select Everyone.
- Complete the sharing dialog.
You can reach the same command by selecting the folder, opening the Share tab, and selecting Specific people under Share with.
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Windows 10
- In File Explorer, right-click the folder.
- Select Give access to > Specific people.
- Select a user or choose Everyone.
- Finish the sharing dialog.
Windows 10 also provides the command on the File Explorer Share tab under Share with > Specific people.
4. Open the shared folder from the other PC
Do not rely solely on the Network section of File Explorer. You can open a share directly using its UNC path.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match- On the computer hosting the folder, note its computer name. You can also find it in Settings > System > About.
- On the other computer, open File Explorer with Windows logo key + E.
- Click the address bar and enter a path in this form: \\ComputerName\ShareName.
Replace ComputerName with the host PC’s name and ShareName with the shared folder name. For example: \\OFFICE-PC\Documents.
Press Enter. If prompted, provide the username and password for an account allowed to access the host computer.
Test the host’s own shares
On the PC that contains the folder, enter \\localhost in File Explorer. This displays shares available from the current computer. It is a more reliable check than interpreting the context-menu wording: File Explorer may show Give access to > Remove access for folders that are not actually shared over the network.
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5. Use the other PC’s IPv4 address if its name fails
Computer-name discovery can fail even when the network share is available. Find the host PC’s IPv4 address:
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- Open Settings > Network & internet.
- For Wi-Fi, select Wi-Fi, then select the connected network. For a wired connection, select Ethernet.
- Read the value beside IPv4 address.
On the other computer, enter the address in this form: \\192.168.1.25\ShareName.
Use the actual address shown on the host PC. Addresses can change, so a successful IP-based test does not necessarily make a good permanent shortcut unless the address is kept stable by the router or network configuration.
6. Map the share as a network drive
Mapping creates a drive letter such as Z:, making the shared folder easier to open from applications and File Explorer.
Windows 11
- Open File Explorer or press Windows logo key + E.
- Select This PC in the left pane.
- Select More on the File Explorer command bar.
- Select Map network drive.
- Choose a drive letter.
- Enter the shared path, such as \\OFFICE-PC\Documents, or select Browse.
- Select Reconnect at sign-in if the drive should be restored automatically.
- Select Finish.
If Map network drive is not listed under More, right-click This PC in the folder pane. Microsoft provides the command there as well.
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Windows 10
- Open File Explorer and select This PC.
- Open the Computer tab and select Map network drive.
- Choose a drive letter and enter the shared folder path.
- Optionally select Reconnect at sign-in.
- Select Finish.
A mapping failure commonly means the host PC is turned off, the path is incorrect, or the connecting account does not have permission.
When the PCs do not appear under Network
The Network list is not a complete test of whether sharing works. First try the direct UNC path. If the computers still do not appear, check the discovery services on both PCs.
- Press Windows logo key + R.
- Enter services.msc and select OK.
- For each service below, right-click it and select Properties:
- Function Discovery Provider Host
- Function Discovery Resource Publication
- SSDP Discovery
- UPnP Device Host
- If a service is not running, select Start.
- Set Startup type to Automatic, then apply the change.
Also recheck that the active network is Private and that both Network discovery and File and printer sharing are enabled. A firewall, VPN, guest Wi-Fi isolation, or router setting that separates wireless clients can still prevent the PCs from reaching one another.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Nearby sharing is not the same as network sharing
Nearby sharing is useful for sending an individual document, picture, link, or similar item. It does not create a persistent shared folder or mapped drive.
In Windows 11, configure it at Start > Settings > System > Nearby sharing. In Windows 10, use Start > Settings > System > Shared experiences. Both versions let you choose which devices can send or receive content and where received files are saved. Windows 10 requires version 1803 or later. On current Windows 11, Nearby sharing can use Wi-Fi when the recipient is connected to the same Private Wi-Fi network; otherwise it can use Bluetooth.
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Windows 10 support note
Windows 10 continues to run, but standard Microsoft support ended on October 14, 2025. As of 2026, Microsoft no longer provides free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, or normal security fixes for Windows 10 under its standard lifecycle. For a networked PC, upgrading to a supported Windows version is the safer long-term choice.
FAQ
Do both Windows PCs have to use Wi-Fi?
No. One PC can use Wi-Fi and the other Ethernet as long as both connections reach the same local network, normally through the same router.
Why can I access the internet but not the other computer?
Internet access does not prove that local sharing is configured. Check that both PCs use the same LAN, the active connection is Private, Network discovery and File and printer sharing are enabled, and the host folder is actually shared.
Do I need HomeGroup to connect two Windows computers?
No. HomeGroup was removed from Windows 10. Current Windows 10 and Windows 11 sharing uses network discovery, SMB folder sharing, account permissions, and optional mapped drives.
What does “Remove access” mean in File Explorer?
It does not reliably prove that a folder is shared. File Explorer can display that option for folders that are not shared over the network. Test with \\localhost on the host PC or open the share from the other computer.
What should I enter in File Explorer to open a shared folder?
Use a UNC path in the form \\ComputerName\ShareName, such as \\OFFICE-PC\Documents. If the name fails, try the host’s IPv4 address, such as \\192.168.1.25\Documents.
Why does mapping a network drive fail?
The target PC may be switched off, the share path may be wrong, or the account you are using may not have permission. Verify the share with a direct UNC path before mapping it.
The Bottom Line
The dependable sequence is: connect both PCs to the same LAN, set both connections to Private, enable Network discovery and File and printer sharing, share a specific folder, then open it with a UNC path such as \\ComputerName\ShareName. If discovery is unreliable, test with \\localhost on the host and use its IPv4 address from the other PC.
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