o you want to share files between computers, control another computer on the same network, or print a file stored on another computer? Accessing computers on the same network has become easier to do. This article will tell you how to do so on Windows and Mac operating systems.
We will discuss two ways to do this on a Windows PC.
Part 1 – Using Nearby Sharing
First off you need to enable Nearby Sharing on all the computers you want to share files with.
Step 1: To do this, click Start on the taskbar and click Settings.
Step 2: Click on System.
Step 3: Then select Shared Experiences.
Step 4: Scroll down to locate Nearby Sharing and toggle the switch on.
Step 5: Click on the drop-down menu and select Everyone nearby.
Step 6: Once this is done you can start sharing files.
To share files
Step 7: Once file explorer, right-click the file you want to share and then select share.
You will see all the computers on your network with nearby sharing mode activated.
Step 8: Select the computer you want to share the file with.
Step 9: The computer receiving the file will get a notification that there is an incoming file.
Step 10: Click on either save and open or save to initiate the file transfer.
Part 2
Step 1: On the taskbar, click on the start menu.
Step 2: Click on the Control panel, then Network and Internet.
Step 3: Click on Network and Sharing Center.
Step 4: Locate the option Change Advanced Sharing in the upper left side of the window and click on it.
Step 5: Click on the Private drop down menu.
Step 6: Under Network discovery, Turn on Network Discovery.
Step 7: Under File and printer sharing, Turn on File and Printer Sharing.
Step 8: Go back to Advanced sharing settings and click on All Networks drop down menu.
Step 9: Under Public folder sharing, Turn on sharing so anyone with public access can read and write files on the Public Network.
Step 10: To enable password protected sharing, scroll down to Password protected sharing and turn on or off password protected sharing.
Step 11: Click on Save changes at the bottom of the page.
To share a folder go to the folder location you want to share.
Method 1
- Select it and right click.
- Under right click options select Properties at the bottom.
- A new window appears. Click on Sharing tab.
- Click on Advanced Sharing.
- Check Share this folder button and then choose the number of simultaneous users.
- Click Apply and OK.
Method 2
- Locate the folder.
- Select the folder and click on the Share tab.
- Then click on specific people.
- Select everyone from the drop-down menu.
- Click Share and Done.
To Access the Shared Files.
Step 12: Open File Explorer on another computer.
Step 13: Click the Network tab on the left pane, here you will find the name of your first computer.
Step 14: Click on the name of your first computer and then copy the shared folder to your computer.
Additional Parameters for Windows 10.
After completing steps 1- 11,
- Open File Sharing.
- Select Properties.
After the latest updates some of the functions of Windows 10 now look different. Follow these steps if you have the updated Windows 10 operating system.
- Locate Related system setting on the About tab.
- Select Advanced systems settings.
- A new window pops up named System Properties.
- Under the Computer Name tab you can change the name of the computer and give a different name to the Workgroup.
- Click on the Change button and rename your computer if you wish.
- Click OK.
- The system askes to restart the computer, Click OK. But you need to change one more setting.
- On the Remote tab under System Properties.
- The checkbox should be checked on to Allow Remove Assistance connections to the computer.
- Under Remote Desktop, click Allow Remote connections to the computer.
- Click Apply.
- You can now restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
- You can then apply the same settings on all computers.
When you do this, all computer on the Network will appear in File Explorer on the Network tab. Computer 1 will also be displayed along with other computers.
When you click on any other computer, select the Users folder and by default you will see the several folders for exchanging data on a Shared Network. You can now copy, view and delete files.
How to access another computer on the same network (Mac)
First we have to enable Screen Sharing on the host device and then use the inbuilt Screen Sharing app from the other device to connect to the host.
To Enable Screen Sharing on the host computer follow these steps:
Step 1: Open System Preferences.
Step 2: Locate the Sharing Pane and click on it.
Step 3: Locate Screen Sharing on the left side from the list.
Step 4: Check Screen Sharing and then take note of the IP address shown when Screen Sharing is on.
Step 5: Now on your other device. Locate the Screen Sharing app. You can easily do this by clicking Command + Spacebar to initiate spotlight and then type in Screen Sharing. Click on it.
Step 6: The Screen sharing window pops up asking you to enter Hostname or Apple ID. Type in the IP Address and Click Connect
Step 7: If prompted enter your username and password.
Step 8: Now you can control the host device.
