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.
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.
Step 2: Please click Network and Sharing Center.
Step 3: Please click Change advanced sharing settings.
Step 4: Under Private, please check Turn on network discovery and Turn on file and printer sharing. Then click Save changes.
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.
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.
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.
Step 2: Please click Allow an app feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
Step 3: Please click Change settings and 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.
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.
Step 2: Please go to Sync page and select files you want to share under the Source tab.
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.
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.
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.
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
- Open Control Panel, click Network and Sharing Center and click Change advanced sharing settings.
- 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.
- Click Save changes to continue.
- Open Control Panel, click Network and Sharing Center and click Change advanced sharing settings.
- 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.
- Click Save changes to continue.
- Open Control Panel, click Network and Sharing Center and click Change advanced sharing settings.
- In the pop-up window, go to the All Network sections. Check the option Turn off password protected sharing.
- Click Save changes.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Tina is a technology enthusiast and joined MiniTool in 2018. As an editor of MiniTool, she is keeping on sharing computer tips and providing reliable solutions, especially specializing in Windows and files backup and restore. Besides, she is expanding her knowledge and skills in data recovery, disk space optimizations, etc.
On her spare time, Tina likes to watch movies, go shopping or chat with friends and enjoy her life.
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