Share Files Folder Over Local Network and Stop File Sharing?

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

To share a folder over a local network, you enable file sharing on the host computer and then access that folder from another device on the same network. To stop sharing, you simply disable the share or turn off file sharing entirely—the process takes less than a minute on both Windows and macOS.

What File Sharing Over a Local Network Means

Local network file sharing lets devices on the same Wi‑Fi or Ethernet network read and write files stored on another computer without using the internet. It works through built‑in protocols: Windows uses SMB (Server Message Block), macOS also uses SMB (with legacy AFP support), and Linux typically uses SMB via Samba. Unlike cloud storage, the data stays on your own hardware, transfers are usually faster, and you don’t need an internet connection.

Common uses include moving photos between a laptop and a desktop, accessing a media library from a smart TV, or letting multiple family members edit documents stored on one PC. The shared folder appears in the network section of the file manager (File Explorer on Windows, Finder on macOS) just like a local drive.

How to Share a Folder on Windows

Right‑click the folder you want to share and select Properties.
Go to the Sharing tab and click Share….
Choose the user or group (e.g., Everyone or a specific account), set the permission level to Read or Read/Write, then click Share.
Note the network path shown (e.g., \DESKTOP-ABC\SharedFolder) and click Done.
To access it from another PC, open File Explorer, type the path in the address bar, and press Enter.

If the other device doesn’t see the folder, make sure both computers are on the same network profile (Private, not Public) and that Network Discovery is enabled in Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Advanced sharing settings.

How to Share a Folder on macOS

Open System Settings → General → Sharing (or System Preferences on older macOS).
Turn on File Sharing.
Click the + button under Shared Folders, select the folder, and set permissions for each user (Read Only, Read & Write, etc.).
Note the address shown, like smb://192.168.1.20.
On the other Mac, press Cmd+K in Finder, type that address, and connect.

Windows computers can connect to a Mac share by typing \IP-address in File Explorer, provided SMB is enabled on the Mac (it is by default).

How to Stop Sharing a Folder

Stopping sharing is the reverse of the setup. On Windows, right‑click the folder → Properties → Sharing → Advanced Sharing, uncheck Share this folder, and click OK. Alternatively, go to Computer Management → Shared Folders → Shares, right‑click the share, and choose Stop Sharing.

On macOS, open System Settings → General → Sharing, select the folder in the list, click the – button, and confirm. To disable all file sharing, turn off the File Sharing toggle.

Stopping a share does not delete the folder or its files—it only removes network access. Any files already copied by other users remain on their devices.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Folder not visible on the network: Enable Network Discovery on Windows (or check that your Mac’s firewall allows SMB connections).
Access denied or password prompt: Ensure the user account you’re using has permissions on the shared folder. On Windows, try using the account name and password of the host computer.
Slow transfer speeds: Check if you’re on a 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi band (slower) versus 5 GHz or Ethernet. Large files transfer faster over a wired connection.
Windows can’t connect to Mac: Verify that the Mac’s sharing address uses the correct IP. Try using the Mac’s hostname (e.g., \MacBook.local).
Antivirus or firewall blocking: Temporarily disable third‑party firewalls to test, but re‑enable them after troubleshooting.

Security and Privacy Considerations

Local sharing is generally safe on a trusted home network, but it has risks. Anyone on the same network can attempt to connect to your shared folders. To protect yourself:

Use a strong password for your user account on the host computer.
Share folders with Read only unless you need write access.
Disable sharing when not in use, especially on public Wi‑Fi.
Keep your operating system updated to patch SMB vulnerabilities.
Consider using a separate “guest� account with limited permissions if you share with visitors.

Note that SMB has had security flaws in the past (e.g., the WannaCry ransomware in 2017 exploited SMBv1). Modern Windows and macOS disable SMBv1 by default, so avoid re‑enabling it.

Alternatives to Local Network Sharing

If local sharing feels complicated or doesn’t work across different operating systems, consider these alternatives:

Cloud storage: Services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive let you share files via a link, but require internet and have storage limits.
USB flash drives or external hard drives: Simple for one‑time transfers, but not convenient for continuous access.
Peer‑to‑peer transfer apps: Tools like Snapdrop or LocalSend work over Wi‑Fi without cloud storage, but require both devices to be on the same network and may not support folder‑level sharing.
Network Attached Storage (NAS): A dedicated device that provides shared storage to all devices on the network, often with more advanced permission controls.

Local sharing remains the fastest and most private method for continuous access to files on your own network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be on the same Wi‑Fi network?

Yes, for standard local file sharing, both devices must be on the same local network (same router or switch). If they are on different VLANs or subnets, sharing may not work unless the router is configured to allow it.

Can I share a folder with a specific person only?

Yes. Instead of sharing with “Everyone,� choose a specific user account on the host computer. That person will need to enter that account’s username and password when connecting.

Will stopping the share disconnect people who are currently connected?

Yes, when you stop sharing a folder, any active connections to that share are terminated immediately. Files that were being transferred may be incomplete.

Why can’t I see my shared folder on my phone?

Most smartphones don’t natively support SMB browsing. You’ll need a file manager app (like Solid Explorer on Android or the Files app on iOS) that supports SMB connections, and you’ll need to enter the host’s IP address manually.

Does file sharing use a lot of bandwidth?

Only when files are being transferred. Idle sharing uses negligible bandwidth, but if you copy a large video, it will consume your network’s bandwidth, which may slow down other devices.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.