This guide will teach you the steps to access a network shared folder on Windows 11.
If you have already configured file sharing on Windows 11, you also need to configure remote computers to allow users to access files remotely.
In Windows 11, network users can access shared files in at least three ways by browsing the network location, specifying the network path, or mounting the shared folder as a drive in Explorer of files.
How to Access a Windows 11 Shared Folder
Windows 11 has at least three ways to access a shared folder through File Explorer, and here’s how.
Open shared folder browsing location
To access a shared folder from the “Network” tab of File Explorer, follow these steps:
1. Open theFile Explorer on Windows 11.
2. Click Network in the left pane.
3. Double-click the computer containing the shared folder.
4. Log in with the account that gives you access to the files.
After completing the steps, the files in the shared folder will be accessible on Windows 11.
Typically, account information is the credentials of users on the computer sharing files. If both devices have the same account, you can use your local account information to sign in. Also, if the shared folder has been configured not to require authentication, you won’t need to enter a username and password to access the files.
Open shared folder using network path
To access network files with the network location path, follow these steps:
1. Open To start up.
2. Find the command Execute and click on the first result to open the application.
3. Enter the path to the shared folder on the network.
4. Click the button okay.
5. Log in with the Windows 11 account that gives you access to shared files.
After completing the steps, you should be able to access the contents of the shared folder on Windows 11.
Open shared folder using mount point
To mount and access a shared folder on Windows 11, follow these steps:
1. Open thefile explorer.
2. Right-click on Network in the left pane and select the option Map a network drive.
3. Confirm the shared folder path:
\COMPUTER-NAME-IPmyShare
In the command, replace “COMPUTER-NAME-IP” by the computer name or IP address of the remote computer hosting the shared folder. This example accesses the “myShare” folder at 10.1.4.118:
\10.1.4.118myShare
1. Check the option Reconnect at login.
2. Check the option Log in using different credentials (if applicable).
3. Click the button To end.
4. Log in with the account that gives you access to the network share.
After completing the steps, the shared folder will be mounted as a drive and you will be able to access the contents from the “This PC” page in Windows 11.
Troubleshoot authentication issues with shared folder
If you set up a shared folder on a computer that uses a Microsoft account, you probably won’t be able to authenticate to access network files. However, you can work around this problem in two ways. You can switch from a Microsoft account to a local account and back to a Microsoft account. Or you can create a new local account on the source computer that you can use to authenticate and access a shared folder or connect using Remote Desktop.
If the problem is not related to authentication, it may be a problem with the file sharing configuration.
If you have any questions or suggestions, let us know in the comments. Also check this guide if you want to learn how to map a network drive in Windows 11.
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