Transferring a large file to a USB drive is slow, and uploading it to the cloud eats up your bandwidth and your patience. When both computers sit on the same Wi-Fi or wired network, you can move documents, photos, and videos directly between them at full local speed. This guide shows you how to share files between Windows 11 PCs on the same network, from turning on network discovery to connecting to a shared folder and mapping it for quick access.
Before You Start: Make sure both computers are powered on and connected to the same router or network. This works on Windows 11 Home and Pro editions, though the Pro and Enterprise variants add extra controls in Group Policy that administrators can use. You will need a Microsoft account or a local account signed in on each machine, and you should be on a trusted home or office network rather than a public one.
Step 1: Confirm both PCs are on the same network
Open Settings and check the network connection on each computer. Click the network icon in the taskbar near the clock, and confirm both PCs show the same Wi-Fi name or Ethernet connection. If one PC is connected to a guest network or a different router, it cannot see the other, so file sharing will never work. This shared-network requirement is the foundation of everything that follows, so verify it before changing any settings.
Step 2: Set your network profile to Private
Switch each network from Public to Private in Settings. Go to Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi (or Ethernet), then click the properties link under your active connection. Under “Network profile,” select Private. A public network hides your PC from other devices for security, while a private network allows machines to find and share with each other. Both PCs need this setting, otherwise Windows keeps file sharing blocked even when everything else is configured correctly.
Step 3: Enable network discovery and file sharing
Turn on network discovery and file sharing through the Advanced sharing settings. Open Settings → Network & internet → Advanced network settings → Advanced sharing settings. Under “Network discovery,” toggle on Network discovery and check the box to set up connected devices to be discoverable. Under “File and printer sharing,” choose Turn on file and printer sharing. These switches tell Windows to broadcast your presence and accept incoming sharing requests from other devices.
If the options appear greyed out, you are likely still on a public network or the computer is managed by an organization that restricts these settings. Return to Step 2 and confirm the network is set to Private, then try again.
Step 4: Turn off password protection sharing (optional)
Disable password protection sharing to skip login prompts between PCs. In the same Advanced sharing settings window, scroll down to “All networks” and find Password protected sharing, then turn it Off. With it off, you can open shared folders without entering the other PC’s account credentials, which speeds up home transfers. Keep it On if you want an extra layer of security, but be ready to type in the host computer’s username and password. For most home setups, turning it off saves time and frustration.
Pro Tip: If you share files frequently, map the shared folder as a network drive so it shows up under This PC like a regular folder. This saves you from navigating the Network folder every time you need a file.
Step 5: Share a specific folder
Right-click the folder you want to share and enable sharing. In File Explorer, right-click the folder, choose “Share with” → “Specific people…” On the pane that appears, click “Add,” choose Everyone, and set the permission level to Read or Read/Write. Click Share to finish. Read/Write lets others change or delete files inside, while Read only lets them copy files out. Choose Read/Write only when you trust the other person with those files, and prefer Read for sensitive documents.
Step 6: Access the shared folder from the other PC
Open File Explorer on the second PC and browse the network. Press the Windows key + E, then click Network in the left sidebar. You should see the first PC listed; double-click it and open the shared folder. If nothing appears, click Network again and wait a few seconds for discovery to catch up, since Windows sometimes takes a moment to list devices. Alternatively, type the PC name or IP address directly into the address bar as \PC-NAME\FolderName. This is the moment your files become accessible from the other machine.
Step 7: Map the shared drive (optional)
Map the shared folder as a network drive for quick access. In File Explorer, click the three-dots menu and choose “Map network drive.” Pick a free drive letter, type the folder path like \PC-NAME\SharedFolder, and check “Reconnect at sign-in.” Click Finish, and the folder now appears under This PC like a regular drive. This saves you from navigating the Network folder every time you need a file, and it reconnects automatically after a reboot.
Troubleshooting Common File Sharing Problems
If you cannot find or open the shared folder, check these frequent culprits before assuming something is broken.
- Nothing shows under Network: Make sure both PCs are on the same network and set to Private. Sometimes Windows needs a moment to discover devices, so wait 30 seconds and press F5 to refresh. You can also restart the Functionality Discovery Resource Discovery service if devices still do not appear.
- Access denied or permission error: Confirm the folder actually has sharing permissions and that your Windows account matches the host. Try turning off password protection sharing, or sign in with the correct credentials for the host PC. If the host uses a Microsoft account, enter that account’s email and password.
- Firewall blocks the connection: The Windows Defender Firewall can block file sharing on public networks. Since you set the network to Private, sharing rules should apply automatically. If problems persist, temporarily disable the firewall to test the connection, then re-enable it once you confirm sharing works.
Closing Tips
Once sharing works, you can drag and drop files between PCs without any cables or USB drives. For quick single-file transfers, you can also try the Nearby Sharing feature, which sends files over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi without any folder setup. Always remember to set a strong password on your Microsoft account, since it protects the files you share across your network. With these steps in place, moving large files between Windows 11 PCs becomes fast, reliable, and cable-free.
Do you prefer sharing whole folders over the network, or do you use Nearby Sharing for quick single-file transfers? Let us know what works best for your setup.
Over to you: Do you prefer sharing whole folders over the network, or using Nearby Sharing for quick single-file transfers?
