How much do you know about Windows 10 file sharing function? Have you ever found Windows 10 file sharing not working when using? So do you know how to solve this problem? This post aims to give you a pessimistic answer.

About Windows 10 File Sharing Not Working

HomeGroup has been removed from Windows 10, version 1803. However, even it was removed from Windows, you can still share files and printers within Windows.

Windows 10 file sharing is a useful Windows snap-in tool provided by Microsoft. It is designed to facilitate users’ file sharing works. Just with several simple steps, you can share your files on your PCs to users on the same LAN. Users can even look through these files on mobile phones.

However, an increasing number of users complain about this function now because they find Windows 10 file sharing not working after update 1809/1803.

Hence this post is going to present you detailed solutions to how to enable file sharing in Windows 10.

Just as Windows cannot access shared folder Windows 7, users running Windows 10 meet this problem as well. So, they encounter the issue file sharing not working Windows 10.

In consideration of the inconvenience the problem may bring, it is vital to find out solutions to deal with it.

Five solutions to Windows 10 file sharing not working are available now.

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Restart Your Computer

Many of you may doubt this method. But it is true that when you try this way, you sometimes can perform Windows file sharing right away. Restarting computer may solve lots of problems.

Enable File and Network Sharing

You can try to enable file sharing in Network and Sharing Center.

Step 1: Please type Control Panel in Windows search box and click it to run.

type down Control Panel in Windows search box to run

Step 2: Please click Network and Sharing Center.

open network and sharing center

Step 3: Please click Change advanced sharing settings.

change advanced settings

Step 4: Under Private, please check Turn on network discovery and Turn on file and printer sharing. Then click Save changes.

turn on network discovery and file and printer sharing

Step 5: After that, you need to right-click the items you want to share and choose Properties. Then go to the Sharing tab and click Advanced Sharing. Next, check the Share this folder option and click Apply and OK to continue. In addition, you can also change the permission to guests by clicking Permissions.

When you have finished all steps, you can check whether the issue Windows 10 file sharing not working is solved.

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Turn Off Password Protected Sharing

You cannot perform file sharing may because you turn off password protected sharing.

Step 1: Like the method above, click Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings

Step 2: Under All Networks, please click Turn off password protected sharing. Then click Save changes.

turn off password protected sharing

Allow File Sharing Through Windows Defender Firewall

Windows 10 file sharing not working may because you have disabled File and Printer Sharing in Windows Defender Firewall.

Step 1: Go to Control Panel > Windows Defender Firewall.

go to Windows Defender Firewall

Step 2: Please click Allow an app feature through Windows Defender Firewall.

allow an app through Windows Defender Firewall

Step 3: Please click Change settings and check File and Printer Sharing.

check File and Printer Sharing

When you have tried one of these methods mentioned above, you can start to perform Windows file sharing work.

More solutions you can find in this video guide:

Try Free File Sharing Alternative

Apart from these four solutions mentioned above, there is another free file sharing alternative – MiniTool ShadowMaker. It is a piece of professional file sync software whose file sync function allows you to share your files to different locations.

Apart from file sync, MiniTool ShadowMaker also serves for you to back up and restore everything you want, thus helping you performing disaster data recovery and protecting data. Other functions such as create bootable media to boot computer and clone entire disk are also available.

Come and get MiniTool ShadowMaker to have a try.

MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

Detailed operating steps are listed as follows.

Step 1: Please launch MiniTool ShadowMaker and click Keep Trial. Then you can select a local or remote computer to manage and click Connect to enter its homepage.

Tip: The remote computers you select must be on the same LAN.

select a local or remote computer to connect

Step 2: Please go to Sync page and select files you want to share under the Source tab.

go to Sync page and select files

Step 3: Under the source tab, three paths are available: Administrator, Libraries and Computer. You can choose a source to select files. Then click OK to continue.

select files to sync under the source tab

Step 4: Under the Destination tab, there are five paths: Administrator, Libraries, Computer, Network and Shared. As for file sharing, you can select Network and Shared. Then type down Path, User name and Password in sequence.

Tip: If you select Network, you can directly share files to the computer you select on the same LAN; if you select Shared, you can share your files to a location so that users with entering network credentials can see them.

select Network as the destination path

select Shared as the destination path

Step 5: Please go to Sync page can click Sync Now to perform file sync or click Sync Later to postpone it. You can continue this sync task on the Manage page.

Now you have finished file sharing task.

MiniTool ShadowMaker allows users to perform Windows 10/8/7 file sharing to different network locations free with its file sync feature.Click to Tweet

Bottom Line

File sharing is indeed useful in making your files visible to different computers as long as they are on the same LAN. Knowing how to fix Windows 10 file sharing not working becomes quite important. Follow these five methods mentioned above and you can solve it easily.

Any question for MiniTool ShadowMaker, please contact us via [email protected].

Windows 10 File Sharing Not Working FAQ

How do I enable file sharing in Windows 10?
  1. Open Control Panel, click Network and Sharing Center and click Change advanced sharing settings.
  2. In the pop-up window, check Turn on network discovery, check Turn on file and printer sharing, and check the option Allow Windows to manage homegroup connections under all three sections.
  3. Click Save changes to continue. 
How do I turn on file sharing?
  1. Open Control Panel, click Network and Sharing Center and click Change advanced sharing settings.
  2. In the pop-up window, under Private section, check Turn on network discovery, check Turn on file and printer sharing, and check the option Allow Windows to manage homegroup connections.
  3. Click Save changes to continue. 
How do I set up network sharing on Windows 10?
  1. Open Control Panel, click Network and Sharing Center and click Change advanced sharing settings.
  2. In the pop-up window, go to the All Network sections. Check the option Turn off password protected sharing.
  3. Click Save changes.
How do I view other computers on my network?<
To find computers connected to your computer through the network, you can open the File Explorer and navigate to the Network category. The computers connected through network will be listed here.
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