How to Enable File Sharing in Windows 10

Having a computer on your home network can be beneficial in many ways. And knowing how to enable file sharing in Windows 10 can enable you to share folders and files of your choice, across your network.

This tutorial helps you to set up the file-sharing settings on your computer.

But before we begin, a recommendation is that you set up your computer name how you want it. This will help you distinguish your computer easier on the network.

Steps to enable file sharing

1. Open Network Status

Left-click on the Windows Start Menu icon and type ‘network status’. Left-click on the ‘Network Status’ system settings item.

2. Open Advanced sharing settings

Left-click on Sharing options to open the Advanced sharing settings window.

3. Adjusting the Private network settings

These settings apply for sharing over your private network.

1. Make sure that you have expanded the Private expansion area. If it’s closed, simply click on the arrow on the right to collapse or expand the area.
2. Left-click on the radio button next to ‘Turn on network discovery’. Make sure the checkbox underneath it is also checked.
3. Left-click on the radio button next to ‘Turn on file and printer sharing’

4. Adjusting the Guest or Public network settings

Set your guest or public settings.

1. Make sure the Guest or Public area is expanded.
2. Left-click on the radio button next to ‘Turn on network discovery’.
3. Left-click on the radio button next to ‘Turn on file and printer sharing’.

5. Adjusting All Networks settings

Now we can configure the settings that are relevant to all your networks.

1. Expand the ‘All Networks’ area.
2. Left-click on the radio button next to ‘Turn on sharing so anyone with network access can read and write files in the Public folders’.
3. Left-click on the radio button next to ‘Use 128-bit encryption to help protect file sharing connections (recommended)’.
4. Left-click on the radio button next to ‘Turn off password protected sharing’. Leave this set to on if you don’t want everyone on your network gaining access to your shared and public files and folders.

What has this enabled you to do?

After changing these settings, any files or folders that you have chosen and set up for sharing will become available as a shareable resource.

Conclusion

Having access to your file across your network means that you will be able to use them with your smartphone, laptop, tablet or other computers.

This is the first step to having your files centralized if you choose. This brings along another convenience when it comes to storage space.