{"slug":"share-folder-windows-11-lan-wifi","locale":"en","isFallback":false,"translationAvailable":["en","id"],"translationUrls":{"en":"/api/posts/share-folder-windows-11-lan-wifi?locale=en","id":"/api/posts/share-folder-windows-11-lan-wifi?locale=id"},"title":"How to Share a Folder in Windows 11 via LAN and WiFi","description":"Step-by-step guide to sharing folders in Windows 11 over LAN or WiFi, from enabling network discovery to opening shared folders by IP address.","date":"2026-03-17","updated":null,"tags":["windows","windows-11","network","tutorial"],"category":"Windows","content":"\nFolder sharing is still one of the most practical features in Windows 11, especially when you work with teammates on the same local network.\n\nI still use this setup in small office environments because it is simple, fast, and saves time. Instead of repeatedly moving files with a flash drive, everyone can open the same folder directly from their own PC.\n\nIn this guide, I will walk you through the full setup flow: enabling required network settings, sharing a folder with proper permissions, and opening it from another computer using the target IP address.\n\n## Step 1: Enable Network Discovery First\n\nBefore sharing any folder, make sure all devices on your network can see each other.\n\n<Steps>\n   <Step>\n      **Open network settings**\n      Open **Settings** in Windows 11, then go to **Network & internet**.\n   </Step>\n\n   <Step>\n      **Go to advanced sharing options**\n      Open **Advanced network settings**, then under **More settings** click **Advanced sharing settings**.\n   </Step>\n\n   <Step>\n      **Enable discovery and file sharing**\n      Turn on **Network Discovery** and **File Sharing** for all network profiles you use.\n   </Step>\n</Steps>\n\nInside this page, configure all three network profiles. For trusted home or office networks, you can enable all sharing options to avoid discovery issues.\n\n![Windows 11 advanced sharing settings with network discovery and file sharing enabled for all profiles.](/images/_posts/windows11/share-folder/lan-wifi-1.webp \"Enable Network Discovery and File Sharing in all network profiles\")\n*Set all network profiles to enable Network Discovery and File Sharing.*\n\n<Callout variant=\"warning\" title=\"Important Security Note\">\nIn the **All Networks** section, turn off **Password protected sharing** only when you are on a trusted private network. This makes access easier because coworkers will not need a local username and password.\n</Callout>\n\nApply this setting on devices that will share folders and devices that will access them.\n\n## Step 2: Share a Specific Folder\n\nAfter network discovery is configured, share the folder you want other users to access.\n\n<Steps>\n   <Step>\n      **Open folder properties**\n      Right-click your target folder, then select **Properties**.\n   </Step>\n\n   <Step>\n      **Open sharing menu**\n      Go to the **Sharing** tab and click **Share...**.\n   </Step>\n\n   <Step>\n      **Add Everyone user**\n      In the user list, select **Everyone** from the dropdown, then click **Add**.\n   </Step>\n\n   <Step>\n      **Set permission level**\n      - **Read**: users can view files only.\n      - **Read/Write**: users can view and edit files.\n   </Step>\n\n   <Step>\n      **Complete sharing**\n      Click **Share** to finish.\n   </Step>\n</Steps>\n\n![Windows 11 share dialog showing Everyone user with Read/Write permission.](/images/_posts/windows11/share-folder/lan-wifi-2.webp \"Add Everyone and set permission level when sharing a folder\")\n*Choose **Everyone** and set **Read/Write** if users need to edit files.*\n\n<Callout variant=\"info\" title=\"Permission Tip\">\nFor mixed environments, start with **Read** first. Upgrade to **Read/Write** only for folders that require active collaboration.\n</Callout>\n\n## Step 3: Access the Shared Folder from Another PC\n\nTo open the shared folder from another computer, you need the IP address of the source PC.\n\n### Find the Source PC IP Address\n\n<Steps>\n   <Step>\n      **Open Command Prompt**\n      Open **Command Prompt** from Start.\n   </Step>\n\n   <Step>\n      **Run IP command**\n      Type `ipconfig`, then press Enter.\n   </Step>\n\n   <Step>\n      **Note the IPv4 address**\n      Find **IPv4 Address** (for example `192.168.1.5` or `10.27.30.150`).\n   </Step>\n</Steps>\n\n![Command Prompt output showing IPv4 Address used for LAN shared folder access.](/images/_posts/windows11/share-folder/lan-wifi-3.webp \"Check IPv4 address with ipconfig in Windows 11\")\n*Use the IPv4 Address from `ipconfig` as the target address.*\n\n### Open Shared Folder via Run Command\n\n<Steps>\n   <Step>\n      **Open Run dialog**\n      Press <kbd>Win</kbd> + <kbd>R</kbd>.\n   </Step>\n\n   <Step>\n      **Enter target address**\n      Type `\\\\` followed by the source PC IP. Example: `\\\\10.27.30.150`.\n   </Step>\n\n   <Step>\n      **Open shared resources**\n      Press Enter.\n   </Step>\n</Steps>\n\n![Windows Run dialog using double backslash IP format to open shared folders.](/images/_posts/windows11/share-folder/lan-wifi-4.webp \"Access shared folder with \\\\\\\\ip-address format\")\n*Use `\\\\{ip_address}` in Run to list shared folders from that PC.*\n\nIf everything is configured correctly, File Explorer will show shared folders (and sometimes shared printers) from the target machine.\n\nAt this point, your local file transfer workflow becomes much easier: faster collaboration, fewer duplicate copies, and no more dependency on flash drives for every update.\n"}