This article shows you how to share a folder on the network. In this way, all computers connected to the same LAN will be able to access its content, modify it or add new documents and files. It is possible to share a folder on both Windows and Mac systems. However, it should be noted that the computer hosting the shared folder and the one from which you want to access it must be connected to the same LAN. If you need a shared folder to always be synchronized with other devices (including a USB stick), you can use the FreeFileSync program.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Share a Folder on Windows
Step 1. Create the folder you want to share and sync with other devices
This step is only necessary if the folder to be shared does not yet exist. Follow these instructions:
- Go to the path where you want to create the new directory (for example the computer desktop);
- Click an empty spot in the window with the right mouse button;
- Choose the option New one from the context menu that appeared;
- Select the item Folder;
- Name the newly created folder;
- Press the Enter key;
- Move or copy the files you want to share into the new folder. You can simply drag them from their original position onto the icon of the latter.
Step 2. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop. Alternatively, press the ⊞ Win key on your keyboard.
Step 3. Open a new "File Explorer" window by clicking the icon
It features a small folder and is located at the bottom left of the "Start" menu.
Step 4. Select the folder to share
Navigate to the directory where the folder to share is stored, then select it with a single click of the left mouse button.
Step 5. Go to the Share tab of the "File Explorer" window ribbon
It is located in the upper left part of the latter. A series of tools will appear.
Step 6. Select the Specific users… option
It is located within the "Share with" group of the "Share" tab of the "File Explorer" window ribbon.
Step 7. Press the button
located to the right of the text field visible in the center of the new window that appears.
A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 8. Choose the Everyone option
It is one of the items listed in the drop-down menu that appeared.
Step 9. Press the Add button
It is located to the right of the menu from which you have selected "Everyone". In this way, access to the folder in question will be authorized from all computers connected to the same LAN network to which the one in use is connected.
Step 10. Allow other users to edit the contents of the newly shared folder
Click the icon ▼ located on the right of the item Reading related to the user group Everyone, then choose the option Read / Write from the menu that will appear.
Step 11. Press the Share button
It is located at the bottom of the "Network Logon" dialog box.
Step 12. Press the Finish button
It is located at the bottom of the "Network Access" window. The latter will be closed to indicate that the selected folder is now shared on the network and all computers connected to the LAN in use will be able to access it.
Step 13. Make sure that the computer (or computers) from which you want to access the network folder you just created is connected to the same LAN as the computer it is stored on
In order to synchronize the contents of a network folder between two computers, both machines must be connected to the same local network.
- If the computer you want to access the shared folder with is not connected to the same LAN, you will need to log in before you can continue.
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You can check which network a computer is currently connected to by clicking the wireless network connection icon
located in the lower left corner of the desktop (on Windows) or the icon
located in the upper right corner of the screen (on Mac) and checking the name of the network displayed at the top of the menu that will appear.
- Sharing a folder on the network and synchronizing its data also works in the case of a wired connection (using an Ethernet cable).
Step 14. Access the shared folder using a second computer
After you have successfully shared the folder on the network, you should be able to browse its contents and add or remove files using another computer. Follow these instructions:
- Windows - open a "File Explorer" window, select the name of the computer where the visible shared folder is stored using the left sidebar (you may need to scroll up or down), then access the folder.
- Mac - open a "Finder" window, click the name of the computer where the network folder is stored in the lower left and access the directory in question.
Method 2 of 3: Share a Folder on Mac
Step 1. Create the folder you want to share and sync with other devices
This step is only necessary if the folder to be shared does not yet exist. Follow these instructions:
- Go to the path where you want to create the new directory (for example the computer desktop);
- Access the menu File;
- Choose the option New folder;
- Name the newly created folder;
- Press the Enter key;
- Move or copy the files you want to share into the new folder. You can simply drag them from their original position onto the icon of the latter.
Step 2. Enter the "Apple" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Apple logo and is located in the upper left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 3. Choose the System Preferences… item
It is one of the options present in the drop-down menu that appeared. The "System Preferences" dialog box will appear.
Step 4. Click the Sharing icon
It is located on the right side of the "System Preferences" window.
Step 5. Select the File Sharing checkbox
It is located inside the left pane of the "Sharing" window.
Step 6. Add the folder you just created to the "Shared Folders" list
Push the button ＋ placed under the "Shared folders" box, select the folder to share and press the button add located in the lower right corner of the window.
Step 7. Authorize other users to add or remove files from the shared folder
Click the entry Customize located to the right of the "Everyone" option listed in the "Users" box, then choose the setting Reading and writing from the menu that will appear.
Step 8. Press the Options… button
It is located in the lower right part of the window. A new pop-up window will appear.
Step 9. Select both check buttons in the appeared window
They are positioned in the upper part of the latter.
If you need to share the folder in question also with a Windows computer, also select the check button for sharing data with "Windows" platforms
Step 10. Press the Finish button
It is located at the bottom of the window. All changes to the configuration settings will be saved and the selected folder will be shared on the network.
If file sharing is not enabled on your Mac, you will need to select the check button File sharing visible in the left pane of the "Sharing" window.
Step 11. Make sure that the computer (or computers) from which you want to access the network folder you just created is connected to the same LAN as the computer on which it is stored
To be able to synchronize the contents of a network folder between two computers, both machines must be connected to the same local network.
- If the computer you want to access the shared folder with is not connected to the same LAN, you will need to log in before you can continue.
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You can check which network a computer is currently connected to by clicking the wireless network connection icon
located in the lower left corner of the desktop (on Windows) or the icon
located in the upper right corner of the screen (on Mac) and checking the name of the network displayed at the top of the menu that will appear.
- Sharing a folder on the network and synchronizing its data also works in the case of a wired connection (using an Ethernet cable).
Step 12. Access the shared folder using a second computer
After you have successfully shared the folder on the network, you should be able to browse its contents and add or remove files using another computer. Follow these instructions:
- Mac - open a "Finder" window, click the name of the computer where the network folder is stored in the lower left and access the directory in question.
- Windows - open a "File Explorer" window, select the name of the Mac where the shared folder is stored using the left sidebar (you may need to scroll up or down), then navigate to the folder.
Method 3 of 3: Using FreeFileSync
Step 1. Download FreeFileSync
Access the official website using this address. Press the green button Download located at the bottom of the page, locate the "Download FreeFileSync" section, then select the link for the operating system on the computer on which you will install the program.
For example, choose the link Download FreeFileSync 10.5 Windows Setup if you are using a Windows system or Download FreeFileSync 10.5 macOS if you are using a Mac.
Step 2. Install FreeFileSync
Depending on the operating system you are using, the program installation procedure will be slightly different:
- Windows - double-click the FreeFileSync installation EXE file icon, press the button Yup when prompted, then press the button Next until the software installation begins.
- Mac - double click on the ZIP file icon you just downloaded and then on the PKG file that will appear, then follow the instructions that will be shown on the screen.
Step 3. Connect the removable memory drive to your computer if needed
If you need to synchronize the files in the network folder with a USB stick or external hard drive, so that all data changes are made automatically as soon as the device is connected to the computer, connect now using a port Free USB.
- If you want to synchronize the shared folder with a directory on your computer, skip this step.
- If you're using a Mac, you'll need to use a USB stick or external hard drive with a USB-C connector, or you'll need to purchase a USB 3.0 to USB-C adapter.
Step 4. Start FreeFileSync
Double-click the FreeFileSync program icon. It features two curved green arrows that form a circle. The graphical interface of the program will be displayed.
Step 5. Press the New button
It is located in the upper left of the FreeFileSync window. In this way, any information displayed in the program window will be deleted.
Step 6. Add the source folder, ie the one containing the data to be synchronized
Push the button Browse located above the central section of the program window. At this point, access the path where the folder you want to synchronize is present, select it with a single click of the mouse and press the button Select folder.
If you are using a Mac, you will need to press the button You choose.
Step 7. Add the destination folder
This is the directory where you want the data to be copied automatically (for example a USB stick). Push the button Browse placed above the section visible on the right of the program window, select the folder or drive you want to use for synchronization and press the button Select folder (on Windows) or You choose (on Mac).
Step 8. Press the Compare button
It is located above the box for the folder to be synchronized. This will display the list of files present in both paths chosen.
Step 9. Click on the triangle icon located to the right of the button where a green gear is visible
It is positioned above the box relating to the destination folder or drive, i.e. the one in which the data to be synchronized will be copied. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 10. Choose the Mirror option ->
It is one of the items in the drop-down menu that appeared. By choosing the function Mirror you will be sure that all the files in the source folder are copied into the destination one.
- Remember that all files in the destination folder or drive that are not present in the one to be synchronized will be deleted.
- If you want to use a synchronization procedure that preserves the data in the destination folder, you will have to select the option instead of the item Mirror ->.
Step 11. Press the Synchronize button
It is located at the top right of the window.
Step 12. Press the Start button when prompted
The files in the first selected folder will be copied into the second.
Step 13. Save the FreeFileSync configuration as a synchronization process
If in the future you intend to run the newly created synchronization procedure again, save it as a program configuration file by following these instructions:
- Push the button Save As featuring a green icon consisting of two curved arrows. It is placed in the upper left part of the program window;
- Name the configuration file;
- Select the folder in which to save it;
- Push the button Save.
Step 14. Run the sync process again when you need to
When the time comes, double-click the configuration file you saved. The FreeFileSync program will start and the synchronization procedure will be performed automatically.
