To make a Windows 11 PC visible to other devices and share folders with them, turn on Network discovery and File and printer sharing under Private networks in Advanced sharing settings, but only after you have confirmed the connection is a network you trust. Then share the specific folder with the specific account that needs it. No extra hardware is required for this built-in setup; it works on any local network both computers can reach.
What each setting does
Network discovery lets your PC see other devices on the local network and lets them see it. File and printer sharing is the capability that actually serves folders and printers to those devices. You need both for a typical folder share. The network profile decides whether either one is allowed to operate at all.
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| Network profile | Other devices can find this PC | File and printer sharing | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private | Yes, when discovery is enabled | Available when enabled | The network is your home or office and you trust the devices on it |
| Public | No; Microsoft says the PC is hidden from other devices | Not used for discovery | Cafés, airports, hotels, or any network whose devices you do not trust |
Microsoft’s definition of Private is the profile for networks whose people and devices you trust. Trust is the deciding factor, not convenience.
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Configuration steps
Step 1: Set the network profile
- Open Settings > Network & internet.
- Select the connected Wi-Fi network or Ethernet connection.
- Check the Network profile type setting.
- Select Private only if this is a trusted network. Leave an untrusted network set to Public.
A newly connected network in Windows 11 starts as Public by default, so a network you have never configured will be hidden from other devices until you change it.
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Step 2: Enable discovery and file sharing
- Open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings.
- Expand Private networks.
- Turn on Network discovery.
- Turn on File and printer sharing.
If you prefer the search box, Microsoft’s troubleshooting directions suggest searching for “manage advanced sharing settings.”
Step 3: Share only the folder you intend to share
- In File Explorer, right-click the file or folder.
- If the menu is abbreviated, select Show more options.
- Select Give access to > Specific people.
- Choose the account that should have access, then set the permission level and confirm.
Enabling sharing does not choose a folder or a recipient for you. Each folder must be shared on its own.
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| Option | Who gets access | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Specific people | Only the account you select | Almost every case, including family members or colleagues with their own accounts |
| Everyone | All users on the network | Only when every device and user on that network should reach the folder |
To see what your PC is exposing locally, type \localhost into the File Explorer address bar. Seeing your user profile there does not mean every file inside it is shared over the network. Only folders you explicitly share are available to other devices.
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Step 4: Map a share as a persistent drive (optional)
- On the PC that needs access, open File Explorer and select This PC > Map network drive.
- Pick an available drive letter.
- Enter the folder or computer network path.
- Select Reconnect at sign-in if you want Windows to reconnect automatically.
If the drive fails to connect, the remote computer may be switched off or your account may lack permission to the folder.
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Troubleshooting when devices cannot find the PC
Microsoft Support’s file-sharing article describes the usual symptom. If File Explorer’s Network view shows an error that says network discovery is turned off, you need to turn discovery on before you can see the other devices that are sharing files. Work through these checks in order:
- Confirm both computers are on the same local network. Devices on a guest network or a separate Wi-Fi band may not see each other.
- Confirm the profile. If you are on Wi-Fi, the network must be set to Private, and only do this if the network is trusted.
- Recheck the switches. Network discovery and File and printer sharing must both be on under Private networks.
- Check the discovery services. Open Services and confirm that these four are running and set to Automatic: Function Discovery Provider Host, Function Discovery Resource Publication, SSDP Discovery, and UPnP Device Host.
- Check folder permissions. Confirm the specific folder is shared with the account you are using. If Windows asks for credentials, enter the account details of the host PC.
- Review password-protected sharing only as a last resort. Under Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings > All networks, Microsoft lists password-protected sharing as a setting you can adjust. Turning it off lets people on the network reach shares without a Windows account and password. That is a security trade-off suited to a trusted home or small office, not a general fix.
Security boundaries
Do not set a public Wi-Fi network to Private just to make discovery work. The profile is the control that keeps your PC hidden on untrusted networks, and changing it defeats that purpose. Use a specific-person share for each folder, and treat Everyone as a broad grant that applies to every user on the network.
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Windows Firewall also protects your PC. Turning it off to fix discovery problems is not a recommended fix; the firewall is governed separately by domain, private, and public profiles, and the problem is almost always a service, profile, or permission setting.
Local network sharing versus Internet sharing
The steps above share files over your local network only. Microsoft’s file-sharing guidance directs users who need to send files to people elsewhere to OneDrive rather than a local folder share. Use the local method when recipients are on the same network, and use OneDrive when they are not.
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Windows 10 instructions
Many older guides were written for Windows 10. Microsoft states that support for Windows 10 ended on October 14, 2025. If you are following older instructions, match the menu labels above to Windows 11, and do not assume that every Windows 10 path or wording still applies.
Managed and workplace devices
If your PC is managed by an employer or school, an administrator policy may override these settings. The instructions here describe the consumer-facing Windows 11 controls, and they do not show how a particular managed device will be configured.
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