Sharing files between Windows devices can be quick and efficient when configured properly. Follow these three steps to enable file sharing without passwords, set access permissions, and connect from other devices.
⚙️ Step 1. Adjust Advanced Sharing Settings
On the computer that will host the shared files, start by configuring network and sharing settings.
Right-click the Windows icon, click Search, and type Network and Sharing Center.
Click Change advanced sharing settings and enable the following options:
Turn on network discovery
Turn on file and printer sharing
Enable sharing so anyone with network access can read and write to public folders
Turn off password protected sharing
Click Save changes
🔗 Step 2. Share the Folder with Specific Permissions
Now choose which folder or files you want to share on the network.
Open File Explorer and select the folder you want to share.
In the top menu, go to the Share tab and click Share then choose Specific people.
In the dialog, click the dropdown arrow and select Everyone, then click Add.
Under Permission Level, choose Read/Write to allow editing access, and click Share.
Right-click the shared folder, select Copy link to get the network path.
Send the copied link to the other computer by email or chat.
🖥️ Step 3. Access Shared Files from Another Computer
On the device that will access the shared files:
Open File Explorer and click Network in the sidebar.
Paste the shared folder link into the address bar and press Enter to open the contents.
Tip:
Make sure both devices are on the same network. If the shared folder is not accessible, double-check the firewall settings and ensure the destination device allows file sharing through the firewall.
Using these steps, you can easily transfer files between Windows machines without using USB drives or cloud storage.