How to Share Files and Folders Between Two Windows PCs on a Home Network

You have two Windows PCs on the same home or office network and want to move files between them without a USB stick or cloud upload.

Why: Windows can share a folder over your local network (a LAN) so the other PC reaches it straight from File Explorer. It just needs three things lined up: both PCs on a Private network profile, network discovery and file and printer sharing turned on, and the folder actually shared with the right people.

Step 1: Turn on discovery and sharing (do this on both PCs)

1. Make sure the connection is set to Private: Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) → click the network → Network profile type → Private network.
2. Open Settings, then search for and open Manage advanced sharing settings.
3. Under Private networks, turn on Network discovery and File and printer sharing.
4. Under All networks, decide on Password protected sharing:
   • Leave it on if you want only people with an account on the sharing PC to connect (more secure).
   • Turn it off for the simplest setup where anyone on the home network can reach the share.

Step 2: Share the folder

On the PC that holds the files:

1. In File Explorer, right-click (or press and hold) the folder you want to share.
2. Choose Show more options → Give access to → Specific people.
3. Pick a user to share with, or choose Everyone to allow all network users, then set the permission level (Read or Read/Write).
4. Click Share, then note the network path it shows (it looks like \\PC-NAME\FolderName).

Step 3: Open the share from the other PC

On the second PC, open File Explorer, type the path into the address bar, and press Enter:

\\PC-NAME\FolderName

Replace PC-NAME with the sharing computer’s name (you can also use its IP address, like \\192.168.1.20\FolderName). If asked, enter the username and password of an account on the sharing PC.

Step 4 (optional): Map it as a permanent drive

So you don’t retype the path every time:

1. In File Explorer, select This PC in the left pane.
2. On the ribbon, select More → Map network drive.
3. Pick a Drive letter, type the path in the Folder box (or Browse to it).
4. Tick Reconnect at sign-in so it comes back after a reboot, then Finish.

The shared folder now shows up as a normal drive letter under This PC.

FAQ

It asks for a username and password I don’t have. That’s Password protected sharing. Either use an account that exists on the sharing PC, or turn that setting off under All networks (Step 1).

The other PC doesn’t appear under Network. Confirm both are on the Private profile with Network discovery on, then reach it directly by typing \\PC-NAME in the address bar.

Is HomeGroup still a thing? No — Microsoft removed HomeGroup. Sharing a folder with Give access to (Step 2) is the current method.

Sources: Microsoft Support — File sharing over a network in Windows