This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off Public folder sharing on your Windows 11 PC.
Public folders offer an easy way to share files with other people using the same computer and with people using other computers on a shared network.
The Public folders contain subfolders to help you get organized, but they don't contain any files until you or other people using your computer add files to them. The folders are organized by content type, and include:
- C:\Users\Public\Public Documents
- C:\Users\Public\Public Downloads
- C:\Users\Public\Public Music
- C:\Users\Public\Public Pictures
- C:\Users\Public\Public Videos
When Public folder sharing is turned on, anyone on your computer and same network can access these folders to open and view the files stored there just as if they were stored on their own computers. If you give them permission to change files, any changes they make will change the files on your computer.
When Public folder sharing is turned off, only accounts on your computer can access them by default.
You must be signed in as an administrator to turn on or off Public folder sharing.
Here's How:
1 Open Settings (Win+I).
2 Click/tap on Network & internet on the left side, and click/tap on Advanced network settings on the right side. (see screenshot below)
3 Click/tap on Advanced sharing settings on the right side. (see screenshot below)
4 Click/tap on All networks to expand it open. (see screenshot below step 5)
5 Turn On or Off (default) Public folder sharing for what you want.
6 You can now close Settings if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Last edited:
