USERS folder is being shared


J

JeffLeites

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Somehow my USERS folder became a shared folder on my network. I can't unshare it.

I've tried Remove Access, on the Explorer drop down menu, Sharing in the properties window, and Computer Management/share which doesn't even give me a Stop Sharing option although that's is what are read.

How do I stop sharing it?
 

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So if you open Powershell and type Get-SMBShare you see a share with the path C:\Users?

Like so?
1764870415472.webp

If this is the case you can just type, in an elevated powershell window. Remove-SMBShare -Name Users (Replace Users with whatever is listed for you)
 

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Linux Mint
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Also check Settings | Network & Internet | Advanced network settings | Advanced sharing settings. If "Public folder sharing" is enabled, the Users folder will be shared.
 

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Windows 11 Pro 25H212th Gen Core i7-1260P64 GB Micron PC4-25600Intel Iris Xe Graphics
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Intel NUC12WSHi7
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12th Gen Core i7-1260P
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TNX neemobeer. I just tired that. The folders to be shared are on my Desktop. The only items that appeared were the two folders I wanted too share... no USERS. I went to my Notebook and opened the link to the shared folder on my Desktop, and guess what?! The USERS folder was gone from there too! I don't get it, maybe one of my earlier attempts had a delayed reaction. Never had problems like this in the old days when I was a mainframe COBOL programmer! :unsure:
 

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Windows 11
pseymour - You might be right, maybe I had set it up for Public sharing, and changed it to private in one of attempts to fix it, but didn't see the results right away. Thanks for the info.
 

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Windows 11
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Windows 11
Quick fix: Right click on Users folder
users->Give access to->Advanced sharing ->Advanced Sharing, uncheck on Share this folder
NOTE: Any folder shared under Users will be unaccessible
2025-12-04_112935.webp
 

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JeffLeites said:
Somehow my USERS folder became a shared folder on my network.
Click to expand...

It's probably because you shared another folder in your profile, like Documents. It's ancient Windows behavior to share USERS when you do this. I know I read a rationale for it, but that was 10-20 years ago, and I doubt it makes any more sense today.
 

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Windows 11
OS
Windows 11
JeffLeites said:
pseymour - You might be right, maybe I had set it up for Public sharing, and changed it to private in one of attempts to fix it, but didn't see the results right away. Thanks for the info.
Click to expand...

After turning them off, reboot and check again.
 

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    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 build: (26200.7623)
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    Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Pro
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    32GB

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    Microsoft 25H2 ProIntel Core Ultra 764GBIntel Integrated Graphics
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    Microsoft 25H2 Pro
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    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Pro 14 - PC14250
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7
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    64GB
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BTW, if you want to share a folder in your profile like Documents without sharing Users, open the Properties on that folder, navigate to the Sharing tab, and instead of clicking on the tempting "Share..." button, click on the foreboding "Advanced Sharing..." button, and click on its "Share this folder" button, for it is the droid you seek. Leave the sharing Permissions on "Everyone" but add "Change" or "Full Control" if you want the clients to be able to alter it. The existing NTFS permissions will govern the access and restrict to users with passwords.
 

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OS
Windows 11
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