How to Share Folders on Windows 11

Check that File Sharing is Enabled on Windows 11

Follow our simple step by step guide on how to enable File Sharing in Windows 11 and browse its files with your iPad or iPhone.

Windows 11 File Sharing may not be enabled, especially if you don't have other computers on your network or this is the first time you have tried to access shared folders over your network.

Use the following steps to enable File Sharing on Windows 11.

Step 1

Press the Windows key and type 'control panel" select the Control Panel App from the listing.
Step 2

Click "Network and Internet"
Step 3

Click the 'Network and Sharing Centre' header in this dialog.
Step 4

Click "Change advanced settings" in the left hand side.
Step 5

Under the "Private (Current Profile)" section:

Enable "Turn on network discovery".

Enable "Turn on file and printer sharing".
Step 6

Expand the "All Networks" section, enable "Turn on password protected sharing".

We recommend using password protected sharing, but if you want people with no username or password to be able to access your files (only those files marked for 'Everyone' access), then set password protected sharing to "off".

Estimated Time: 2 minutes

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How to share a folder in Windows 11

In Windows File Explorer find the folder you wish to share right-click it and choose "Show more options" then select "Properties"
In the Folder Properties dialog select the "Sharing" tab.
Click the "Advanced Sharing..." button.

The following dialog should appear.

Tick "Share this folder"
Enter a Share Name that this folder will be known by on the network.
By default, the folder will be shared for read-only access for the user who creates the share.
If you wish to change this security, click the "Permissions" button and choose the level of access that you require.