file sharing on local wifi network

Question

how to do file sharing between 2 or more computers in the same wifi network locally using window 11 operating systems, while each computer is able to function independently with no issues.

Answer 1

Hi!

First, you need to adjust your network settings so that you can share folders. If you want to share a folder on each computer, you must repeat this step on both computers:

1. Right-click on the Internet icon > Network and Internet Settings.
2. Click on Properties > Mark the Network Profile as Private.
3. Go back to the Network Settings > Click on Network and Sharing Center > Change Advanced Sharing Settings (left tab).

• In Private, check the "Turn on network discovery" option and check the option below.
• In File and Printer Sharing, check the "Turn on file and private sharing" option.
• Expand All Networks > Check "Turn on password protected sharing".

4. If the User does not have a password, add a password to the user whose access to the folder you have restricted.

Shared Folder
Now you must choose the folder you want to share and adjust the permissions.

1. Open the Shared Folder Properties > Click Sharing > Advanced Sharing... > Permissions > Add > Advanced > Find now > Search for the username > Select the user > Click OK.
2. Select the user and check Full Control > Click OK.
3. You will do this procedure in Security if you have not done so already.

Connection

Finally, you need to access the shared folder.

1. Press Windows + R > Type "control keymgr.dll" (without quotes) > Click on Windows Credentials > Add a Windows Credential.
2. Fill in the Address, Username and Password fields > Save > Try mapping the folder.

To find the address of each computer, you can use the hostname or IP address. On each computer, press Windows + R > Type cmd > Type hostname to show the computer name, or ipconfig to show the IP address.

1. Press Windows + R > Type \\computername > Right-click on the shared folder > Map folder.

Answer 2

To share files between Windows 11 PCs on the same Wi‑Fi network and keep each PC working independently, configure network sharing and then share specific folders.

1. Connect all PCs to the same Wi‑Fi network

• Ensure every computer is connected to the same router/Wi‑Fi network (same SSID).

2. Set the network profile to Private

• On each PC, select Start > Settings.
• Go to Network & Internet and make sure the current Wi‑Fi network is set to Private. (See “Essential network settings and tasks” in the reference.)

3. Turn on network discovery and file and printer sharing Do this on each PC that will share or access files:
4. Select Start, then Settings.
5. In the Find a setting search bar, type manage advanced sharing settings and select Manage advanced sharing settings.
6. Under Private networks:
   • Turn on Network discovery.
   • Turn on File and printer sharing.
7. Under All Networks, choose whether to turn off Password protected sharing (for easier home use) or leave it on (more secure; requires accounts/passwords on the sharing PC).
8. Ensure sharing services are running (if devices don’t see each other) On each PC:
9. Press Windows logo key + R, type services.msc, select OK.
10. For each service below, right‑click > Properties:
    • Function Discovery Provider Host
    • Function Discovery Resource Publication
    • SSDP Discovery
    • UPnP Device Host If not running, select Start, and set Startup type to Automatic.
11. Share a folder from one PC On the PC that will host the files:
12. Open File Explorer.
13. Right‑click the folder to share and select Show more options.
14. Select Give access to > Specific people.
15. In the dialog:
    • Choose a specific user account, or
    • Select Everyone to allow all users on the network to access it.
16. Set the permission level (e.g., Read or Read/Write) and confirm.

Now other PCs on the same Wi‑Fi network can access this shared folder via Network in File Explorer or by entering \\ComputerName\\SharedFolder in the address bar.

6. (Optional) Map the shared folder as a network drive On any PC that should use the shared folder like a local drive:
7. Open File Explorer (Windows logo key + E).
8. Select This PC in the left pane.
9. On the ribbon, select More > Map network drive (or right‑click This PC and choose Map network drive).
10. Choose a Drive letter.
11. In Folder, type the network path (for example, \\ComputerName\\SharedFolder) or select Browse to find it.
12. Check Reconnect at sign-in if the drive should reconnect automatically.
13. Select Finish.

Each computer continues to function independently; file sharing only exposes the specific folders that were shared.

As an alternative for ad‑hoc transfers (documents, photos, links) between nearby Windows 10/11 PCs, Nearby sharing can be turned on under Start > Settings > System > Nearby sharing, then used from apps like Photos or File Explorer to send files to another PC on the same private Wi‑Fi or via Bluetooth.

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References:

• File sharing over a network in Windows
• Share things with nearby devices in Windows