Sharing a Windows folder on the network doesn’t have to be the daunting task it appears to be. When using the right-click context menu’s on a folder in Windows Explorer – the Share option is available but it’s arguably not the best way to accomplish the task. Instead, the Shared Folder Wizard native to all versions of Windows is a more straightforward approach. Even though the process contains a few more steps, the deliberate walk-through leaves you understanding what exactly you are doing – which means the ramifications are made more clear; both positive and negative.

Launch the Shared Folder Wizard from the Windows Start->Run dialog which can be initiated with Windows + R keyboard shortcut. The program executable you should open is titled shrpubw.exe.

The typical introductory Windows wizard screen is displayed – click Next to begin the actual process.

Browse for or directly input the folder on the local computer that you wish to share. Make note of the computer name as that is what you will be browsing for on the network of a remote computer. Click Next.

Alter the share name and description if desired – the share name defaults to the name of the folder shared but it is not required to remain that way. As above, the share path is what you will use to access the folder from a remote computer. Next.

Lastly, perhaps the most important component is assigning the appropriate user permissions on the share. By default, shares are configured to be read-only. Further customization is possible if, for example, you want some users will full write access while the majority remain more restricted. Then confirm everything by clicking Finish.

As you would imagine, the Windows wizards are routinely the easiest manner to accomplish a task that might otherwise be complicated.