How to share a folder in Microsoft Windows

  • Microsoft Windows requires that user accounts must have a password set in order to authenticate access to a shared folder
  1. Open File Explorer
  2. Navigate to the folder you want to share or create a new folder
  3. Right-click on the folder, and then select Properties
  1. Select Sharing
  2. Select Advanced Sharing…

Advanced Sharing


  1. Select Share this folder
  2. Set the Share name
  3. Select Permissions

Permissions for <shared folder>


  • Select Add…

Select Users or Groups


  • Select Advanced…

Select users or groups


  • Select Find Now

Select Users or Groups


  1. Scroll to find the user account in the Search results
  2. Select the user account
  3. Select OK

Select users or groups


  • Select OK

Permissions for <shared folder>


  1. Select user name
    • Note the format of the user name shown in (brackets)
  2. Select Full Control under the Allow column
  3. Select Apply
  4. Select OK

Advanced sharing


  • Select OK

<shared folder> Properties


  1. Note the Network Path:
    • \\<computer name>\<shared folder>
      • <computer name> is the Host Name field value for the Address Book entry
      • <shared folder> is the Path field value for the Address Book entry
  • Select Close