How to View and Access Shared Folders in Windows 11

In the modern computing era, the ability to share and access files over a network is a very important aspect of productivity and collaboration.

Whether you want to share documents in a work environment or access files from other computers in the home, sharing folders on the network is an efficient and practical way to address those needs.

The use of new technology often leads to challenges, and an understanding of how to address the problem will be helpful. Sharing folders on a network allows you to create specific folders that can be accessed by other computers on the same network.

You no longer need to use physical storage media such as flash drives or external hard disks to move files between computers. Instead, you can access and retrieve files directly from the computer that shares the folder.

When using a computer with Windows 11 operating system, you may encounter the problem of inability to access shared folders on the network. Although this problem can be quite annoying, you don’t need to worry, because Bardimin will guide you to understand Shared Folders in Windows 11 and its troubleshooting.

Benefits of Sharing Folders on a Network

1. File Transfer Efficiency

Sharing folders on a network allows you to quickly and easily transfer files between computers without needing to rely on physical media. The transfer process becomes more efficient because you can access files directly from the computer that shares the folder.

2. Better Collaboration

In a work or family environment, sharing folders on a network makes it easy to collaborate on shared projects. All team members or family can access the files they need without moving around.

3. Save Time and Storage Space

By sharing folders on the network, you no longer need to send files via email or physical storage media. This not only saves time but also reduces the use of storage space on your device.

How to View and Access Shared Folders on a Windows Network

1. Using File Explorer

The easiest way to view and access shared folders in Windows is through File Explorer. Follow these steps:

1. Open File Explorer by clicking on the folder icon in the taskbar or using the key combination Win + E.
2. In the left navigation pane, find and click “Network.” This will display a list of computers connected to the network.
3. Select the computer that has the shared folder you want to access.
4. Select the folder you want to access. You can double-click to open it.

You can now access the contents of this shared folder and perform file transfers as usual.

2. Via Command Prompt

You can also use Command Prompt to access shared folders. Here are the steps:

1. Open Command Prompt by pressing the Win + X keys and selecting “Command Prompt” or “Command Prompt (Admin).”
2. Type the following command to view a list of shared folders:

net view \\[computer_name]

Replace [computer_name] with the name of the computer that owns the shared folder.

3. You’ll see a list of available shared folders on that computer.

3. Through Run Dialog

The other method is to use the Run dialog. Perform the following steps:

1. Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

\\[computer_name]

Replace [computer_name] with the name of the computer that owns the shared folder.

3. You’ll see a list of shared folders that you can access.

Troubleshoot not being able to access shared folders

First of all, let’s understand that the problem of inability to access shared folders is nothing new. Even Windows users have experienced similar problems years ago. The solution to this problem can be very simple, and the following few steps will help you in overcoming this problem:

1. Using Command Prompt

One of the first ways you can try is to use Command Prompt to open a shared folder. You can perform the following steps:

1. Press Windows key + X and select “Windows Terminal (Admin)” from the menu that appears.
2. Type details such as PC name, Server Name, and Shared Folder Name in the following command and press Enter.

net use <DeviceName>:\\<ServerName> \\<FolderName>

2. Enable File Sharing Support

Before trying any further solutions, you need to make sure that the file-sharing protocol is enabled on your PC. Here are the steps:

1. Open the Start Menu, type “Turn Windows features on or off”, and press Enter.
2. Find and check the option “SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support”.
3. Click OK to save the changes.

3. Enable Network Discovery and File and Printer Sharing

1. Open the Control Panel and select “Network and Sharing Center”.
2. Select “Advanced sharing settings”.
3. Enable the “Turn on network discovery” and “Turn on file and printer sharing under Private” options.
4. Click “Save changes” to save the settings.

4. Check File or Folder Permissions

Make sure you have the appropriate permissions to access the shared folder. Perform the following steps:

1. Right-click on the shared folder and select “Properties”.
2. Switch to the “Sharing” tab and click “Share…”
3. Add “Everyone” with “Read/Write” permission and click “Share”.

5. Turn Off the Firewall or Antivirus Temporarily

Sometimes, firewalls or antivirus software can block access to shared folders. Try temporarily turning off the protection and try accessing the shared folder again.

6. Update Your Network Driver

Make sure your network driver has been updated to the latest version. Outdated or corrupted network drivers can cause shared folder access issues.

7. Check the Network Connection

Make sure you are connected to the network correctly. A weak or dropped network connection can affect your ability to access shared folders.

Conclusion

Accessing shared folders in Windows 11 can be an easy task if you follow the right steps. By understanding the issues that may arise and overcoming those obstacles, you can enjoy the features of sharing files and folders more smoothly. Welcome to use the shared folders feature in Windows 11.