Fix Cannot Access or See Shared Folder from a Windows 10 PC

Very frustrating when you are collaborating

BeforeMicrosoft removed the HomeGroup featureon Windows 10, you could easily share resources across a small network with others in your homegroup.

Today, you’ll need to usedifferent methods to share folders or filesand printers, such asusing OneDrive, Share andNearby sharing.

If you’re having trouble trying to access or see shared folders on your PC, try some of the fixes in this guide.

How to Fix Windows 10 Cannot Access Shared Folder

Before trying the fixes below to troubleshoot issues with seeing or accessing shared folders on Windows 10, make sure the devices are on the same network.

Also, check whether you logged in with the same account you entered when you shared the folder with different users.

To make sure folder sharing is working properly, update Windows 10.

You can set a WiFi network to private or public when you first connect to it.

The private network option is suitable for networks you trust like your home or workplace network. When you set your WiFi network to private, other devices can discover your PC on the network and you can use it to share files or printers. This isn’t available on a public network.

Note: To set your WiFi network to Private, your PC should be running Windows 10 version 1709 or later. See our guide onhow to tell which version of Windows you have installed.

With the network set to Private, check whether you’re now able to see or access the shared folders on your PC.

If Network Discovery is disabled on your PC, you may not be able to see or access shared folders in Windows 10. To resolve the issue, turn on Network Discovery and disable password-protected sharing.

Network Discovery is a setting in Windows 10 that affects whether your PC can see and connect with other devices on the network and whether other devices can see and access your PC. The setting is enabled when you turn on network sharing, but if it’s not working you can enable it manually.

However, it’s not recommended to enable Network Discovery when connected to a public network, for security reasons.

Your PC’s networking and sharing services could also affect how you view or access shared folders.

Such services include SSDP Discovery, Function Discovery Provider Host, UPnP Device Host, and Function Discovery Resource Publication. Make sure these services start automatically and are currently running on your PC.

If you still can’t see or access shared folders on your PC and you use Windows Defender Firewall, allow File and Printer Sharing in the firewall app.

Still can’t see or access shared folders? Try checking the Windows credentials in the computer you’re trying to access the folders from.

Note: You can enter the network address in File Explorer to see or access the shared folders.

The Shared Folders troubleshooter can help identify and resolve any issues that may be preventing you from being able to see or access shared folders on your PC.

If you can’t see or access the shared folder through File Explorer, you can do that via Command Prompt.

Next, enable the SMB 1.0 support feature. The SMB (Server Message Block) protocol is used to share files, printer services and communication between PCs on a network.

See and Access Shared Folders on Your PC

There’s so much you can do with a local area network in terms of sharing files and folders across the devices in your home or workplace. While it may look easy in principle, it can be a pain trying to get everything running properly.

With the solutions in this guide, you should be able to see and access your shared folders once again from any PC on your network.

We have more guides on how to create and manage shared folders including how toshare folders between host and guest OS in VirtualBoxand how toconnect to shared folders on Windows 10 from Mac OS X.

Leave a comment and let us know which solution worked for you, if any. If you have a solution not mentioned here, feel free to add a comment and let us know.

Elsie is a technology writer and editor with a special focus on Windows, Android and iOS. She writes about software, electronics and other tech subjects, her ultimate goal being to help people out with useful solutions to their daily tech issues in a simple, straightforward and unbiased style. She has a BCom degree in Marketing and currently pursuing her Masters in Communications and New Media.Read Elsie’s Full Bio

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