How to enable File Sharing in 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.
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Step 1
Press the Windows key and type 'control panel" select the Control Panel App from the listing.
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Step 2
Click "Network and Internet"
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Step 3
Click the 'Network and Sharing Centre' header in this dialog.
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Step 4
Click "Change advanced settings" in the left hand side.
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Step 5
Under the "Private (Current Profile)" section:
Enable "Turn on network discovery".
Enable "Turn on file and printer sharing".
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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".
Download FileBrowser to access all your files from your iPad / iPhone
How to share a folder in Windows 11
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In Windows File Explorer find the folder you wish to share right-click it and choose "Show more options" then select "Properties"
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In the Folder Properties dialog select the "Sharing" tab.
Click the "Advanced Sharing..." button.
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Tick "Share this folder"
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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.
The following dialog should appear.
Username
To find which username to use in FileBrowser see this page.
Scan your Network
In FileBrowser follow these steps:
- From the home screen.
- Tap "Add Location" to the right of the "Remote" Section.
- Tap "Computer / Network Drive" this will start a scan of your local network.
- Select your computer from the list.
- Enter your credentials and tap 'Save'.
If the scan hasn't worked try adding it manually
Find Computer Name in Windows 11
- On Windows 11, press the windows key and type 'computer name' and press return.
- You should now have a window that looks like the following.
- The text ringed and marked A is your computer name.
- This will be the text to enter in FileBrowser's "Computer Name" setting.
In FileBrowser follow these steps:
- From the home screen.
- Tap "Add Location" to the right of the "Remote" Section.
- Tap "Computer / Network Drive" this will start a scan of your local network.
- Tap the 'Manual Setup' icon.
- Take the machine name labelled above with an 'A' and enter it into the 'Computer Name' field.
- Take the username labelled 'B' above and enter it into the 'Username' field.
- Enter the password for your user account into the 'Password' field. If your account doesn't have a password, tap the 'Blank' button.
- Tap the Save button.
- Tap your new location which has been added to your home screen to connect.
If not connected or getting errors please try our Trouble Shooter.
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Please select from the options below:
Computers or Servers
Cloud Providers
