To let another PC find and access a shared folder on your local network, set the connection to Private only if you trust that network, then enable Network discovery and File and printer sharing in Windows 11’s Advanced sharing settings. Those controls make the PC available on the network; you still choose which folder or file to share and who can access it.
Before you turn on network discovery
Network discovery is for computers that can reach each other on the same local network, such as a home or workplace LAN. It does not make a shared folder available over the Internet. For Internet sharing, Microsoft points users to OneDrive; to send an item to a nearby Windows PC, use the separate Nearby sharing feature.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Windows 11 assigns a new network connection the Public profile by default. Microsoft recommends Public for most cases because it hides your PC from other devices and does not permit file and printer sharing. A Private profile makes the PC discoverable and permits sharing, so use it only on a network you trust. Microsoft describes Public as recommended for networks at home, work, or in public places; that advice does not mean a network should be marked Private just because you are physically at home or work.
Recommended Free Tools
Set a trusted network to Private
- Open Settings > Network & internet.
- Select Wi-Fi, then the connected Wi-Fi network, or select Ethernet if the PC uses a wired connection.
- Under Network profile type, select Private network only if you trust the network and its devices.
Turn on discovery and file sharing
- Go to Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings.
- Expand Private networks.
- Turn on Network discovery and File and printer sharing. Microsoft says these are normally on by default for Private networks, so check their current state before changing them.
If Windows shows a User Account Control prompt, you may need an account with administrator privileges to approve the change. If File Explorer’s Network view displays “Network discovery is turned off….”, select the banner and then choose Turn on network discovery and file sharing.
Share only the file or folder you intend
- In File Explorer, right-click the file or folder and select Show more options > Give access to > Specific people. You can also long-press the item.
- Choose a network user, or choose Everyone if every user on the network should have access.
- Complete the sharing prompt to apply the selection.
Everyone grants access to all network users, so choose it only when that is appropriate. Sharing a folder also makes the files inside it available through that share. Discovery and sharing being enabled do not automatically share every file on the PC.
#1 Best Overall
- DUAL-BAND WIFI 6 ROUTER: Wi-Fi 6(802.11ax) technology achieves faster speeds, greater capacity and reduced network congestion compared to the previous gen. All WiFi routers require a separate modem. Dual-Band WiFi routers do not support the 6 GHz band.
- AX1800: Enjoy smoother and more stable streaming, gaming, downloading with 1.8 Gbps total bandwidth (up to 1200 Mbps on 5 GHz and up to 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz). Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
- CONNECT MORE DEVICES: Wi-Fi 6 technology communicates more data to more devices simultaneously using revolutionary OFDMA technology
- EXTENSIVE COVERAGE: Achieve the strong, reliable WiFi coverage with Archer AX1800 as it focuses signal strength to your devices far away using Beamforming technology, 4 high-gain antennas and an advanced front-end module (FEM) chipset
- OUR CYBERSECURITY COMMITMENT: TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.
Open or map a network share
View shares from this PC
In File Explorer’s address bar, enter \localhost to see shares accessible from the current PC. A user profile shown there does not necessarily mean every file in that profile is shared; it may simply indicate that the signed-in user can access their own profile.
Map a share as a drive
- In File Explorer, select This PC, then More > Map network drive.
- Select a drive letter and enter the folder or computer path for the share.
- Select Reconnect at sign-in if you want Windows to restore the mapping when you sign in again.
A mapped drive can fail to reconnect if the host PC is off or your account does not have permission to access the share.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Rank #2
- Dual-band Wi-Fi with 5 GHz speeds up to 867 Mbps and 2.4 GHz speeds up to 300 Mbps, delivering 1200 Mbps of total bandwidth¹. Dual-band routers do not support 6 GHz. Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
- Covers up to 1,000 sq. ft. with four external antennas for stable wireless connections and optimal coverage.
- Supports IGMP Proxy/Snooping, Bridge and Tag VLAN to optimize IPTV streaming
- Access Point Mode - Supports AP Mode to transform your wired connection into wireless network, an ideal wireless router for home
- Advanced Security with WPA3 - The latest Wi-Fi security protocol, WPA3, brings new capabilities to improve cybersecurity in personal networks
If another PC or folder does not appear
Check the basics on each PC involved before changing access protections:
- Confirm both PCs are connected to the same network. For Wi-Fi, make sure both use the same router or LAN, not separate guest or isolated networks.
- Check the network profile. Use Private only on a trusted network.
- Check both sharing controls. Under Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings > Private networks, confirm Network discovery and File and printer sharing are on.
- Update Windows. Microsoft includes updating Windows among its troubleshooting checks for file sharing.
- Check discovery services. Open the Services app and confirm Function Discovery Provider Host, Function Discovery Resource Publication, SSDP Discovery, and UPnP Device Host are running and set to Automatic.
- Check the host and permissions. The PC holding the share must be available, and your account must have the permissions needed for that folder.
Microsoft also lists turning off password-protected sharing as a troubleshooting option. It is not a routine setup step: disabling it changes access protection. Consider it only after checking the network, discovery controls, services, host availability, and permissions, and only if you understand the security consequence and are on a trusted network.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Dual band router upgrades to 1200 Mbps high speed internet (300mbps for 2.4GHz plus 900Mbps for 5GHz), reducing buffering and ideal for 4K stream
- Full Gigabit Ports - Gigabit Router with 4 Gigabit LAN ports, ideal for any internet plan and allow you to directly connect your wired devices
- Boosted Coverage - Four external antennas equipped with Beamforming technology extend and concentrate the Wi-Fi signals
- MU-MIMO technology - (5GHz band) allows high speeds for multiple devices simultaneously
- Access Point Mode - Supports AP Mode to transform your wired connection into wireless network, an ideal wireless router for home
Rank #4
- 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞-𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝟕: Powered by Wi-Fi 7 technology, enjoy faster speeds with Multi-Link Operation, increased reliability with Multi-RUs, and more data capacity with 4K-QAM, delivering enhanced performance for all your devices.
- 𝐁𝐄𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟎 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥-𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝟕 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫: Delivers up to 2882 Mbps (5 GHz), and 688 Mbps (2.4 GHz) speeds for 4K/8K streaming, AR/VR gaming & more. Dual-band routers do not support 6 GHz. Performance varies by conditions, distance, and obstacles like walls.
- 𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢-𝐆𝐢𝐠 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝟐.𝟓 𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟑×𝟏𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐋𝐀𝐍 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬: Maximize Gigabitplus internet with one 2.5G WAN/LAN port, one 2.5 Gbps LAN port, plus three additional 1 Gbps LAN ports. Break the 1G barrier for seamless, high-speed connectivity from the internet to multiple LAN devices for enhanced performance.
- 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭-𝐆𝐞𝐧 𝟐.𝟎 𝐆𝐇𝐳 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐝-𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫: Experience power and precision with a state-of-the-art processor that effortlessly manages high throughput. Eliminate lag and enjoy fast connections with minimal latency, even during heavy data transmissions.
- 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫 - Covers up to 2,000 sq. ft. for up to 60 devices at a time. 4 internal antennas and beamforming technology focus Wi-Fi signals toward hard-to-reach areas. Seamlessly connect phones, TVs, and gaming consoles.
Rank #3
- NIGHTHAWK WIFI 6 ROUTER FOR YOUR WHOLE HOME: Delivers fast, reliable WiFi across every room of your apartment or small home for streaming, gaming, video calls, and smart home devices, all running at the same time without slowing each other down.
- WORKS WITH YOUR EXISTING INTERNET SERVICE: Pairs with your existing modem or gateway via ethernet. Compatible with most cable, fiber, DSL, and satellite providers. Some gateways and modem router combos may require bridge mode. No coax needed.
- SET UP AND MANAGE YOUR NETWORK WITH THE NIGHTHAWK APP: Download the free Nighthawk app on iOS or Android for guided setup. Manage WiFi, run speed tests, pause devices, and set up guest networks from anywhere. Active internet required.
- READY FOR THE DEVICES YOU ALREADY OWN: Your phones, laptops, and TVs work right out of the box. WiFi 6 delivers speeds up to 1.8 Gbps across 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Backward compatible with WiFi 5 and earlier.
- COVERAGE IN EVERY ROOM: Covers up to 1,500 sq. ft. for up to 20 connected devices. Walls, floors, and interference can reduce range. Larger or multi-story homes may benefit from a NETGEAR Orbi mesh WiFi system.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
