How to View and Access Shared Folders in Windows 11

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 Outdated or corrupted network drivers can cause shared folder access issues.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.