How to Access Files from Another Computer on Same Network (August 2026)

Moving files between computers does not have to mean hunting for a USB stick or waiting for a cloud upload to finish. If you have two PCs, a Mac, or a mix of both sitting on the same desk or spread across your home, your router already gives you everything you need to shuttle documents, photos, and videos back and forth in seconds. Learning how to access files from another computer on the same network is one of those skills that pays off immediately and keeps paying off every single day.

Windows 11 has been the standard for new PCs for a while now, and its file sharing interface has matured with regular feature updates. At the same time, mixed-device households are more common than ever, with MacBooks sitting alongside Windows desktops on the same home network. Remote and hybrid work arrangements have also made local network sharing a practical necessity for many people who split time between a home office and a laptop.

This guide walks you through every method available to share files across home network setups, from basic folder sharing to mapped drives, direct UNC paths, IP address access, and even cross-platform sharing between Windows and macOS. By the end, you will know exactly which approach fits your situation and how to troubleshoot problems when they pop up.

Quick Steps: How to Access Files from Another Computer on Same Network

Before diving into the details, here is the fastest path to get file sharing working between two Windows computers:

1. Set your network to Private on both computers (Settings > Network and Internet > Properties)
2. Turn on network discovery and file sharing (Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings)
3. Share a folder (right-click > Show more options > Give access to > Specific people)
4. Access the shared folder from the other PC (File Explorer > Network > double-click the computer name)

Those four steps cover the basics. Read on for detailed instructions, macOS coverage, and solutions to common problems.

What is Network File Sharing?

Network file sharing is a built-in operating system feature that lets one computer make its files and folders visible and accessible to other machines connected to the same local area network. Instead of copying files onto a thumb drive or uploading them to the internet, you simply mark a folder as shared, and any authorized device on your network can open, read, or modify its contents directly.

Windows handles this through the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol, which has been the standard for LAN file transfers for decades. When you share a folder, Windows creates a network path in the format \ComputerNameSharedFolder that other devices can use to reach it. This UNC path (Universal Naming Convention) is the backbone of all Windows file sharing, whether you access it through the Network browser, a mapped drive, or by typing the path directly into File Explorer.

The biggest advantage of local network sharing over cloud services is speed. A typical home router can handle transfers between wired machines at speeds well above what most internet connections can provide. You also get privacy since nothing leaves your local network. For households and small offices that regularly move large files around, SMB sharing is hard to beat.

How to Set Up Your Network for File Sharing

Your router already connects all your devices physically or wirelessly, but Windows has its own set of sharing controls that need to be turned on before anything is visible across machines. The three steps below cover the prerequisites.

Enable Network Discovery

Network discovery is the feature that lets your PC find other computers and lets other computers find yours. Without it, you will not see anything when you open the Network section in File Explorer.

1. Press Windows key + E to open File Explorer
2. Click Network in the left sidebar
3. If a yellow bar appears saying network discovery is turned off, click it
4. Select Turn on network discovery and file sharing
5. Confirm whether you want this enabled for all network types
6. Enter your administrator password if Windows prompts you

Set Your Network to Private

Windows treats networks differently depending on whether they are set to Private or Public. A Private network profile opens up sharing features and makes your computer visible to others. A Public profile locks everything down, which is great for coffee shop Wi-Fi but blocks file sharing at home.

1. Open Settings > Network and Internet
2. Click Properties next to your active connection
3. Under Network profile, select Private
4. Repeat this on every computer you plan to use for file sharing

Configure Advanced Sharing Settings

The Control Panel still houses the most detailed sharing options. Here is where you fine-tune what is allowed on your network.

1. Press Windows key + R, type control panel, and press Enter
2. Navigate to Network and Sharing Center
3. Click Change advanced sharing settings in the left column
4. Under the Private section, confirm both Turn on network discovery and Turn on file and printer sharing are selected
5. Under All Networks, review the password protected sharing setting. Turning it off makes access easier but reduces security on sensitive networks

How to Access Other PC on Same Network Windows 11

With network discovery active and your profile set to Private, you are ready to share folders and reach them from another machine. Windows 11 offers a couple of ways to get this done.

Method 1: Using the Share Feature

The classic right-click method remains the most straightforward way to share a folder in Windows 11.

Step A: Share the folder

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder you want to share
2. Right-click the folder and select Show more options
3. Choose Give access to > Specific people
4. In the File Sharing dialog, open the dropdown and pick Everyone (or a specific user account)
5. Click Add, set the permission level to Read or Read/Write, then click Share

Step B: Access the shared folder from another computer

1. On the receiving PC, open File Explorer
2. Click Network in the left sidebar
3. Wait a moment for the list to populate, then double-click the name of the sharing computer
4. Browse the shared folders just like local directories

Method 2: Using the Share Tab in File Explorer

File Explorer has a ribbon tab dedicated to sharing. This is handy when you want to share several items at once without right-clicking each one individually.

1. Select the file or folder (hold Ctrl to select multiple items)
2. Click the Share tab at the top of File Explorer
3. In the Share with section, click Specific people
4. Follow the same dialog steps as Method 1 to choose users and set permissions

Batch sharing through the ribbon saves time when you need to open up several folders at once. Just remember that each shared folder can have its own set of permissions, so double-check the access level on each one.

Access Files Using a UNC Path Directly

Sometimes the Network browser in File Explorer does not show the computer you are looking for, even though it is definitely online. In those cases, typing the UNC path directly into the address bar is far more reliable. Forum users on ElevenForum consistently report this as the most dependable method.

1. Open File Explorer and click in the address bar (or press Ctrl + L)
2. Type \ComputerName and press Enter (replace ComputerName with the actual name of the remote PC)
3. All shared folders on that machine will appear
4. To jump straight to a specific folder, type \ComputerNameSharedFolder

Access Files Using an IP Address

Computer names can sometimes fail to resolve on a network, especially if DNS or NetBIOS is not cooperating. Using the IPv4 address of the target machine sidesteps name resolution entirely and often works when nothing else will.

First, find the target computer’s IP address:

1. On the computer whose files you want to access, open Command Prompt
2. Type ipconfig and press Enter
3. Look for the IPv4 Address under your active adapter (it usually looks like 192.168.x.x or 10.0.x.x)

Then connect using that address:

1. On your other computer, open File Explorer
2. In the address bar, type \192.168.x.x (using the actual IP you found) and press Enter
3. The shared folders on that machine will be displayed

Finding Your Computer Name with the Hostname Command

If you are not sure what your computer is called on the network, there is a quick way to find out without digging through Settings. Open Command Prompt and type hostname then press Enter. The name that appears is exactly what other people should type after the backslashes to reach your shared folders. This tip is frequently cited in search results because it eliminates guesswork when setting up shared access between machines.

Alternatively, you can find your computer name through the graphical interface: right-click This PC, select Properties, and look under Device specifications or Computer name. Both methods give you the same result, but the command-line version is faster.

File Sharing Between Computers on Older Windows Versions

Microsoft ended official support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. If you are still running Windows 10 on any of your machines, the file sharing steps are nearly identical to Windows 11 with one key difference: you do not need to click “Show more options” first. Right-clicking a folder in Windows 10 shows the full context menu immediately, including the “Give access to” option.

For anyone using Windows 10 alongside Windows 11 machines, the two versions communicate over SMB without any issues. Shared folders created on a Windows 10 PC are visible and accessible from Windows 11, and vice versa. The steps to enable network discovery, set a private network profile, and configure advanced sharing settings are the same on both operating systems. The Control Panel path for advanced sharing settings is unchanged between versions.

However, since Windows 10 no longer receives security updates, you should be more cautious about what you share from those machines. Keep password protected sharing turned on, and avoid sharing entire drives. Restrict your shared folders to only the data you actively need to transfer, and consider upgrading any Windows 10 systems that handle sensitive information.

File Transfer Through Network: Mapping Network Drives

If you find yourself opening the same shared folder every day, mapping it as a network drive saves you from browsing through the Network section repeatedly. A mapped drive gets its own letter (like Z:) and appears under This PC alongside your local drives.

How to Map a Network Drive

1. Open File Explorer
2. Right-click This PC in the left pane and select Map network drive
3. Pick a drive letter from the dropdown
4. In the Folder field, type the UNC path: \ComputerNameSharedFolder
5. Check Reconnect at sign-in if you want the drive to reconnect automatically every time you log in
6. Click Finish

Accessing Mapped Drives

Once mapped, the drive shows up under This PC with whatever letter you assigned. You can drag files into it, create subfolders, and work with its contents exactly as if it were a local disk. The only difference is that the target computer needs to be powered on and connected to the network for the mapped drive to function. If the remote machine goes offline, File Explorer may show a red X on the drive icon, but the connection restores automatically once the other PC is back.

How to Check Which Folders Are Currently Shared

Over time it is easy to lose track of which folders you have shared. Windows includes a quick trick to audit your active shares without opening properties on every folder.

Open File Explorer, click in the address bar, type \localhost and press Enter. Windows will display every folder currently shared from your computer, including hidden administrative shares like C$ and ADMIN$. This is an easy way to confirm that only the folders you intended to share are visible on the network. If you see something unexpected, you can head to its properties and remove access.

How to Stop Sharing a Folder

Removing access to a shared folder is just as important as creating the share in the first place. When you no longer need a folder to be available on the network, here is how to shut it down.

Quick method: Right-click the shared folder, select Show more options (on Windows 11), then choose Give access to > Remove access. Windows will immediately stop sharing that folder on the network.

Through Properties: Right-click the folder, select Properties, and switch to the Sharing tab. Click Advanced Sharing, uncheck the box labeled Share this folder, then click Apply and OK. This method gives you the chance to review the share name and permissions before you pull the plug.

After removing access, verify the change by typing \localhost in File Explorer. The folder should no longer appear in the list of active shares.

macOS File Sharing: Access Shared Folders on Mac

If your household or office includes Macs alongside Windows PCs, you are not locked out of network file sharing. macOS has built-in SMB sharing that works with Windows machines out of the box. The setup process differs depending on which version of macOS you are running.

Enabling File Sharing on macOS

On macOS Ventura and later:

1. Open System Settings from the Apple menu
2. Go to General > Sharing
3. Toggle File Sharing to On
4. Click the info icon next to File Sharing to see shared folders and connected users
5. Add or remove folders from the Shared Folders list as needed

On macOS Monterey and earlier:

1. Open System Preferences
2. Click Sharing
3. Check the box next to File Sharing to enable it
4. Manage shared folders and user permissions from the right panel

Accessing Windows Shared Folders from a Mac

Cross-platform file sharing between Windows and Mac works through the same SMB protocol. Once file sharing is enabled on your Windows PC, your Mac can reach those shared folders through Finder.

1. Open Finder on your Mac
2. Press Command + K (or go to Go > Connect to Server)
3. Type the UNC path: smb://ComputerName/SharedFolder
4. Click Connect and enter your Windows credentials if prompted
5. The shared folder mounts on your desktop and in Finder’s sidebar

You can also use the Windows PC’s IP address in place of the computer name: smb://192.168.x.x/SharedFolder. This is often more reliable if the Mac has trouble resolving the Windows hostname.

Troubleshooting Common Network Sharing Issues

Network sharing is powerful, but it can be frustrating when something breaks. The problems below are the ones users encounter most often, along with specific fixes that go beyond the usual “restart your router” advice. Many of these solutions come directly from Microsoft’s official documentation and have been confirmed by users across Reddit, SuperUser, and Microsoft Answers forums.

Can’t See Other Computers on Network

When the Network pane in File Explorer shows up empty even though you know other machines are online, the problem usually traces back to either network profile settings or Windows services that have stopped running.

Check your basics first: Confirm every machine is on the same network (same subnet), all have the Private profile selected, and network discovery is enabled. Restarting all machines and the router is still worth trying since it forces devices to re-register on the network.

Verify critical Windows services: This is the step most guides skip. Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. Make sure the following four services are running and set to Automatic startup:

• Function Discovery Provider Host
• Function Discovery Resource Publication
• SSDP Discovery
• UPnP Device Host

Double-click each service, set the Startup type to Automatic, and click Start if the service status shows Stopped. After enabling all four, restart your computer. This fix resolves a large number of “computers not appearing” complaints because these services handle the discovery and publishing of devices on the local network.

Check Windows Firewall: Sometimes a Windows Update resets firewall rules. Go to Windows Defender Firewall > Allow an app through firewall and confirm File and Printer Sharing is checked for Private networks.

Bypass the Network browser: If computers still do not show up in the Network pane, type \ComputerName or \192.168.x.x directly into the File Explorer address bar. This often works even when the Network browser is having trouble populating.

Permission Denied and Credential Errors

One of the most confusing aspects of Windows file sharing is that there are two separate permission systems that both need to allow access: share permissions and NTFS permissions. Setting one without the other is the number one reason users see “access denied” even though they thought they configured everything correctly.

Share permissions control who can reach the shared folder over the network. You set these in the folder’s Properties > Sharing tab > Advanced Sharing > Permissions. NTFS permissions control what users can do with the files themselves. These live in the folder’s Properties > Security tab. Both must grant access for a user to successfully open files. If the share permissions say “Everyone: Full Control” but the NTFS Security tab only lists Administrators, a standard user will still get denied.

If password protected sharing is turned on, you need valid network credentials to access the shared folder. The credentials you enter must match an account on the sharing computer, not your local machine. This trips up many users who try to log in with their own Microsoft account details without realizing the target PC uses a different account.

Slow File Transfer Speeds

File transfers that crawl along at a fraction of your network’s capacity usually have one of three causes: Wi-Fi interference, background bandwidth hogs, or SMB configuration issues.

Start by checking whether both computers are connected via Ethernet. A wired gigabit connection typically delivers 100+ MB/s transfers, while Wi-Fi can vary wildly depending on distance, walls, and interference from other devices. If you cannot run cables, make sure both machines are on the same 5 GHz band rather than mixing 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz connections.

Network congestion from streaming, downloads, or backups running in the background can also throttle your transfers. If bandwidth competition is the problem, you might benefit from adjusting your network priorities. You can learn how to limit network bandwidth on Windows to reserve capacity for file transfers when other applications are competing for the same pipe.

Large individual files generally transfer faster than thousands of small files because the overhead of opening and closing connections adds up. If you are moving a folder full of small files, consider zipping them first and then unzipping on the destination machine.

Alternative Methods for File Sharing Between Computers

Windows built-in SMB sharing is the workhorse, but it is not the only option. Depending on your situation, one of these alternatives might be a better fit.

Nearby Sharing in Windows

Windows 11 includes Nearby Sharing (now called Windows Share in recent updates), which uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to send files to nearby devices. This is ideal for quick one-off transfers when you do not want to set up a shared folder.

1. Open Settings > System > Nearby sharing (in newer Windows 11 versions, this may be under Settings > System > Share)
2. Turn on Nearby sharing and choose Everyone nearby or My devices only
3. Right-click any file, select Share, and pick the target device from the list

Cloud Storage Solutions

OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox all sync files across devices through the internet. They handle versioning, collaboration, and remote access automatically. The tradeoff is speed: uploads and downloads are limited by your internet bandwidth, and large files eat into your storage quota.

Cloud services shine when you need to access files from outside your home network or when collaborating with people who are not on the same LAN. For strictly local transfers, network sharing is still faster. If you are dealing with particularly large files that refuse to fit on a USB, network sharing and cloud storage are both worth considering. Our guide on what to do when a file is too big for USB but has space covers more workarounds for that situation.

Third-Party File Transfer Tools

Applications like Feem and D-LAN provide LAN-based file transfer without requiring Windows sharing configuration. They discover devices on the same network automatically and handle the transfer through their own interface. These tools are especially helpful for cross-platform transfers since they abstract away the SMB setup.

Remote desktop solutions offer another angle. By controlling one computer from another, you can copy files between them using clipboard sharing or drive redirection. If you use this approach, check out our guide on fixing remote desktop multiple monitors not working for a smoother experience. Virtualization users might also find our VirtualBox clipboard sharing fix useful for host-to-VM file access.

Security Considerations for Network File Sharing

Opening up folders to other computers on your network introduces risk if you are not careful. A few smart habits go a long way toward keeping your data safe.

Best Practices for Secure Sharing

1. Share only what you need: Avoid sharing entire drives or your user profile folder. Share specific folders instead
2. Use specific accounts: Share with named user accounts rather than Everyone when possible
3. Set read-only by default: Grant write access only when someone genuinely needs to modify files
4. Keep password protected sharing on: This ensures only authenticated users can reach your files
5. Audit your shares regularly: Use the \localhost trick to review what is shared and remove access to folders you no longer need to share

Network Security Tips

1. Use WPA3 encryption on your Wi-Fi network (or at minimum WPA2) to prevent unauthorized access
2. Keep all systems updated: Windows Updates often include security patches for SMB and networking components
3. Segment your network: Many modern routers support guest networks or VLANs, which let you isolate shared resources from visitor devices
4. Monitor connected devices: Check your router’s client list periodically to confirm only authorized devices are on your network

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Figuring out how to access files from another computer on the same network is one of those practical skills that makes a real difference in daily productivity. Whether you are moving documents between a desktop and laptop, sharing media with family members, or setting up a small office workflow, the tools are already built into your operating system and waiting for you to use them.

Start with the fundamentals: enable network discovery, switch to a Private profile, and share specific folders with appropriate permissions. From there, branch out into mapped drives for frequent access, UNC paths for reliable connections, and IP-based access when name resolution fails. Mac users can join in through Finder’s Connect to Server dialog using the same SMB protocol that Windows relies on.

Keep security habits tight by auditing your shares with the \localhost trick, using password protected sharing, and restricting write access to only those who need it. With these practices in place, network file sharing becomes one of the fastest and most convenient ways to move data between the devices on your local network.