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How To Share a Folder in Windows 10 With Proper Permissions

Want to share a folder on the local network? Here is how to properly share a folder in Windows 10 with correct permissions and settings.

To access folders and files on your computer from other devices, you can share that folder in File Explorer. Windows 10 makes it easy with the built-in sharing functionality. All you have to do is find the folder you want to share, select the share option and set proper permissions.

As long as you are connected to the same network and have proper permissions, you can access the shared folder and files quickly as the local folders. Depending on the permissions, you can even edit the shared folder. i.e., create, modify, and delete files in the shared folders.

This brief and straightforward article shows you how to share a folder in Windows 10 with correct permissions properly.

Important note: Make sure you are connected to a network. Also, don’t share folders on a public network unless you know what you are doing.

How to share a folder in Windows 10

There are four significant steps to share a folder in Windows. i.e., make sure you are on a private network, confirm sharing functionality is enabled, share the folder, and set proper permissions. I will go into detail about each step. So, follow the below steps closely to share a folder in Windows 10.

Step 1: Make sure you are on a private network

The first thing to do is verify whether your network is set to private or public.

Generally, you can set the network type to Private if you are connected to a trusted network like a home network. If you are connected to a network in public space, like internet cafes, coffee shops, airports, railway stations, etc., the network type should be Public.

To check if you are on a private network, open the Settings app with the “Start key + I” shortcut and go to the “Network & Internet > Status.” You will see your current network type under the Network Status section. As you can see from the below image, my network type is Private.

check network type

If it says public, change the network from public to private if you are sure it is trusted. For example, don’t change the network type to private if you are connected to an untrusted network like in public spaces (airports, coffee shops, etc.).

Step 2: Enable Network Discovery & File and Printer sharing

To access a shared folder, the Network Discovery & File and Printer sharing should be enabled. Here is how.

First, open the Windows 10 Settings app and go to the “Network & Internet > Status” page. Here, click on the “Network and Sharing Center” option under the “Advanced network settings” section.

open network and sharing center

Click on the “Change advanced sharing settings” link on the sidebar.

open advanced sharing settings

Expand the “Private” profile. Select the “Turn on network discovery” and “Turn on automatic setup for connected devices” options. Next, select the “Turn on file and printer sharing” option under the “File and printer sharing” section. Click the “Save changes” button.

enabled sharing in windows

You can now close the “Advanced sharing settings” window.

Step 3: Share the folder

To share a folder in Windows, follow these steps.

First, open the File Explorer and file the file you want to share. Next, right-click on the folder and select the “Properties” option.

open folder properties

In the properties window, go to the “Sharing” tab and click on the “Share” button under the “Network File and Folder Sharing” section.

share a folder in windows

Click the “Share” button in the “Network Access” window. This action will share the folder on the network.

click share

Click the “Done” button.

click done to confirm sharing a folder

You can see the network path of the shared folder under the “File and printer sharing” section. Click the “Close” button.

network path of the shared folder

Step 4: Set shared folder permissions

After sharing a folder, it is essential to set proper permissions. That way, you can set rules for who can access the folder and what they can do. Setting permissions will give you control over the shared folder.

First, right-click on the shared folder and select the “Properties” option. Next, go to the “Sharing” tab and click on the “Advanced Sharing” button.

open advanced sharing

Now, click on the “Permissions” button.

open permissions

You will now see all the users who can access this shared folder. By default, Windows will share the folder with “Everyone” and “Administrator” user groups. If you don’t want everyone on the network to access the changed folder, select “Everyone” under the “Group or user name” section and uncheck all the checkboxes under the “Permissions for Everyone” section.

remove permissions for everyone user group

To add a specific user to the shared folder, click on the “Add” button.

add new user

Type the username in the available field and click the “Check names” button.

add username

Windows will automatically fill in the full actual username. Click the “Ok” button.

confirm username

Now, select what permissions you would like to give that user. For example, to allow the user to modify the shared folder. i.e., add, remove, or modify files, select the “Full access” checkbox under the “Allow” column. If you don’t want users modifying the contents of the shared folder, uncheck both “Full Control” and “Change” checkboxes and only select the “Read” checkbox under the “Allow” section.

You can also remove a user from the permissions list. To do that, select the user under the “Group or user names” and click the “Remove” button.

Next, click the “Apply” and “Ok” buttons.

set or change shared folder permissions

Click “Ok” in the permissions window.

confirm permissions

Close all other windows.

That is it. With that, you have successfully shared a folder on the network in Windows 10. You can now access the shared folder from other devices as long as both devices are connected to the same network and the network type is Private.

Stop sharing a folder in Windows 10

If you no longer want to share a specific folder, you can remove access to it. Here is how to do it.

First, open the File Explorer and find the shared folder. Next, right-click on it and select the “Give access to > Remove access” option.

click remove access

Now, click the “Stop sharing” option.

stop sharing a folder in windows

That is it. As soon as you select the option, Windows will remove the folder from shared access. The folder will no longer be available on the network.

I hope that helps.

If you are stuck or need some help, comment below, and I will try to help

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