Local Area Network (LAN) sharing means copying files directly between computers on the same Wi‑Fi or wired network—your home router or office switch—without uploading to the internet. Data stays on your local network, transfers are typically very fast (often hundreds of MB/s on gigabit Ethernet), and it works even when the internet is down.
When LAN sharing makes sense
- Moving large files (videos, disk images, project folders) between two PCs in the same room or building.
- Sharing a folder that several family or team members need on a trusted home/office network.
- Avoiding cloud upload time or storage limits for a one-time transfer.
LAN vs. other options
| Method | Speed | Internet needed? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAN (folder share) | Very fast on same network | No | Large files, ongoing shared folder |
| Cloud storage (see 9.2) | Depends on upload/download | Yes | Remote access, backup, collaboration |
| USB drive (see 9.3) | Fast, one device at a time | No | Single hand-off, air-gapped PCs |
| Nearby sharing (see 9.4) | Good for small/medium files | No | Quick send to a nearby Windows PC |
Before you start
- Both computers must be on the same network (same Wi‑Fi name or same Ethernet switch).
- Set the network profile to Private (home/work)—not Public (coffee shop). In Settings > Network & internet, open your connection > Properties > Private network.
- Know the computer name of the PC that will share files: Settings > System > About (or
Win + Pauseon some PCs). - Use a Microsoft account password or local account password on the sharing PC—anonymous guest access is discouraged on modern Windows.
Method 1: Share a folder (recommended)
Classic SMB file sharing—other PCs open the folder in File Explorer.
A. Turn on network discovery (once per PC)
- Open Settings (
Win + I) > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings (Win 10: Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings). - Under Private network, turn on Network discovery and File and printer sharing.
- Click Save changes.
B. Share a folder from the source PC
- In File Explorer, right-click the folder > Properties > Sharing tab.
- Click Share…, choose a user (or Everyone on a trusted home LAN only), set permission level (Read or Read/Write), and click Share.
- Note the network path shown, e.g.
\\DESKTOP-ABC123\Documents\ShareName.
C. Open the share from another PC
- Open File Explorer (
Win + E). - In the address bar, type
\\ComputerNameor the full path\\ComputerName\ShareNameand pressEnter. - Sign in with a username and password from the sharing PC if prompted.
- Alternatively, browse Network in the left pane and double-click the computer name (discovery must be on).
Method 2: Nearby sharing (quick sends)
For setup, sending files, limits, and troubleshooting, see section 9.4 Nearby Sharing.
Security tips
- Share only on Private networks you trust; turn off discovery on Public Wi‑Fi.
- Share the minimum folder needed—not your entire
C:drive. - Prefer Read permission unless the other person must edit files.
- Remove shares when done: folder Properties > Sharing > Advanced Sharing > uncheck Share this folder.
- Keep Windows updated; SMB is a common target if ports are exposed to the internet—do not port-forward file sharing to the public internet without expertise.
Troubleshooting
- PC not visible in Network: Confirm both are Private network; restart both PCs; check that Network discovery is on.
- Access denied: Verify username/password; ensure the account has permission on the shared folder.
- Slow over Wi‑Fi: Move closer to the router, use 5 GHz Wi‑Fi, or connect both PCs with Ethernet for large transfers.
- Firewall blocking: When Windows asks to allow File and Printer Sharing on Private networks, choose Allow.