Share via

How to create a shareable link to a network folder

Anonymous
2023-10-16T14:08:48+00:00

I would like to create a shortcut/link to a folder on a network drive, one that I can email to my wife so she can instantly access that folder. We are both on Windows 10, on the same LAN. The folder is on a shared drive. I've looked on support.microsoft.com, but couldn't find the exact answer. Can you help me?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

  1. Anonymous
    2023-10-18T05:32:32+00:00

    Hi jimspy,

    Welcome to Microsoft Community.

    I'm Hahn and I'm here to help you with your concern.

    Creating a shareable link to a network folder is a convenient way to share files and folders over a local area network. Here are the steps you need to follow:

    1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder you want to share.
    2. Right-click on the folder to see its context menu.
    3. Select "Give access to" and click or tap on "Specific people".
    4. The **Sharing Wizard** will open. Follow the steps of the sharing wizard.
    5. During the final step of the process, when it informs you that the folder is shared, don't close the wizard.
    6. Look carefully beneath the "Your file/folder/library is shared" notification.
    7. There, Windows says that "You can e-mail someone links to these shared items, or copy and paste the links into another app.".
    8. If you click or tap the e-mail link, your default email client is opened, and the direct link is automatically pasted into a new message.
    9. If you press the "copy" link, the link to the shared resource is copied to the clipboard, and you can then paste it into other programs.

    File sharing over a network in Windows - Microsoft Support

    Alternatively, you can also create a shareable link using OneDrive, which is a cloud storage service that comes with Microsoft 365. You can upload your files and folders to OneDrive and then generate a link that you can share with anyone, even if they don't have OneDrive or Microsoft 365. To learn more about how to use OneDrive, you can visit [Share your documents - Microsoft Support].

    I hope this helps.  If there is anything not clear, please do not hesitate to let me know.

    Your Sincerely

    Hahn - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

    7 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments

2 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2023-10-19T01:17:50+00:00

    Yes, this is a big help. And I think I knew all that. But isn't there also a way to turn that link into an icon, like a shortcut, and email that icon to the recipient, so they can simply scrape it off onto their desktop?

    3 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2023-10-26T01:23:29+00:00

    Hi jimspy,

    I'm sorry to say that creating a shareable network folder link and converting it to a sendable desktop shortcut is not a standard feature in Windows. Often, it is not feasible to send a shortcut to a network folder directly to someone else.

    If you're looking for a more straightforward way to create a clickable link, you may want to consider using a third-party tool or cloud storage service such as OneDrive, which often offer simpler ways to share folder links without complicated setup.

    OneDrive help & learning (microsoft.com)

    I hope this helps.  If there is anything not clear, please do not hesitate to let me know.

    Your Sincerely

    Hahn - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments