How to use network sharing

AtomicSnipe · Jun 24, 2017

Hi,

So I have a quite silly question. How does Network sharing (the "Network" tab in file explorer is what I mean) in windows work?
Can it be used as some sort of cloud storage (like onedrive)? And what exactly is it as I've never been able to utilize any features of it (I don't even know if there are any XD).

And also while I am here, what is a homegroup? How does it work? And can it also be used as some sort of cloud storage?

I hope that you can answer the past two questions. And please use simple terms if possible.

Thanks

USAFRet · Jun 24, 2017

Network sharing - Basically, being able to see and use a drive or folder on a different system.
You can even give it a designated drive letter, so that your system and the user does not even need to know it lives in a whole other PC.
File Explorer and the user just sees a different drive letter.

Homegroup is the same thing, but the details are a bit more fuzzy for the user.
Multiple systems, in your internal LAN (your Home), all sharing drive space.

AtomicSnipe · Jun 24, 2017

USAFRet :

Thx for the quick reply.

Now Speaking of the first point (network sharing). I tried to figure out how to use this thing while not really coming with any outcomes.
What I did is the following:
My computer is A. My sister's computer is B.
1. I turned on computer A and B and got them connected to the internet.
2. I went on computer A > File explorer > Network
3. Under the tab "Computer" I can see three icons; Computer A, Computer B, and my router.
4. I click on the icon for computer A, I see three folders; Documents, Music, Pictures, Users, Videos (these folders have a weird icon. it is a picture of the regular folder icon along with a tube-thing next to it (I tried my best to describe it lol)).
5. I click on the icon for computer B, the folder doesn't open.
6. I click on the icon for my router, I find folders named mnt, mnt1, public (only folder mnt is accessible and is empty) (the icon is the same as the one described in point 4)
7. Now I go to computer B > File explorer > Network
8. This time under the "Computer" tab, I only find two icons; computer A and computer B (notice how there is no router this time).
9. I go to the icon that says computer A, I find the same thing as in point 4.
10. I go to the icon that says computer B, I find a folder that says Users. In it I find 3 folders called; -"the owner's name" -Default.migrated -Public. With the first folder having things like the desktop, documents, and other things stored in computer B. The other two folders are empty or filled with many different stuff.

Now I really am not understanding what I should or can do next.

I hope I didn't start a storm up in your brain cuz I tried to be as simple and as detailed as possible.

*Note: Computer A is pretty brand new and computer B is used for around 5 years

4745454b · Jun 24, 2017

I enabled this on my PC. Took some work, but now my smart TV can browse the folders I told it to share and I can watch things on my TV without the need for the 25' HDMI cable I already bought. Unless you are trying to enable file sharing between the two PCs you can ignore it.

USAFRet · Jun 24, 2017

AtomicSnipe :

What you're seeing is the Public folders.
You can use those if you choose.
Disregard whatever you see if you click on your Router. That is simply part of the Linux subsystem for router function. Leave it.

So...
In both systems, turn ON File and Print Sharing.
Also in the network settings, turn OFF "Require Password"
In Computer A, create a folder. Call it SharedStuff
Right click on that, and you should see an option for "Sharing"

Go there...share with 'Everyone'
Now...from Computer B, in FIle Explorer, you should see that folder 'SharedStuff'
Right click, and Map a Drive Letter. Give it the S drive letter.
So then... in FIle Explorer, you should see a C, D, and now an S drive.
This "S" drive actually lives in the other system. But you, the user, does not know or care. It's just another drive letter.

AtomicSnipe · Jun 24, 2017

USAFRet :

Thanks

I din't understand how I can use the public folders. Do I just create a new folder and done?

Print Sharing, ON
Require Password, OFF
I didn't understand where I should create the folder. I know that it would be on Computer A, but where? (Desktop, Documents etc).

So I am stuck on step 3 lol.

AtomicSnipe · Jun 24, 2017

4745454b :

Thanks

Yeah I am trying to enable file sharing.
But I didn't understand what to ignore XD

4745454b · Jul 5, 2017

Hi? What step did you need help with?

AtomicSnipe · Jul 5, 2017

4745454b :

Oh WOW.

And I thought it was dumb to just enter "Hello" as an answer lol.

Ok thanks.

Well, today I went ahead and started to from scratch. I actually managed to do some progress.

I did the following:
This PC > Right click and choosed "Add a network location" > Next > Next > Browse > Network > DLINKROUTER > mnt
And then... voila! I was able to store stuff in the folder I then named "shared" and access them from different computers!. The only thing is, I have no clue where I am ACTUALLY storing the files!

Any idea?

boosted1g · Jul 5, 2017

DLINKROUTER should be your router. Do you have a USB hard drive plugged into it?

AtomicSnipe · Jul 5, 2017

boosted1g :

Yes it is my router.

Nope! No USB anywhere! Very strange I know.

Mousemonkey · Jul 5, 2017

MERGED QUESTION
Question from AtomicSnipe : "Trying to use network sharing"

AtomicSnipe :

boosted1g :

AtomicSnipe :

boosted1g · Jul 5, 2017

Some routers have a small amount of storage on them that can be ran in a network share.

You can open a command prompt and type "nslookup DLINKROUTER" If the IP address it gives back does NOT end .1 then some other computer has the network name of DLINKROUTER even though it is not the router. (Think Jim is wearing a nametag that says "Bob")

Mousemonkey · Jul 5, 2017

Don't start duplicate threads or bump old ones.

AtomicSnipe · Jul 5, 2017

boosted1g :

It ends in .1. What does that mean?

AtomicSnipe · Jul 5, 2017

Mousemonkey :

Alright. Sorry.

Do you know anything about this topic by the way?

USAFRet · Jul 5, 2017

AtomicSnipe :

It means you are probably 'mounting' (mnt) to some little bit of storage on the DLINK.
Which you probably are not meaning to do.

AtomicSnipe · Jul 5, 2017

USAFRet :

AtomicSnipe :

It means you are probably 'mounting' (mnt) to some little bit of storage on the DLINK.
Which you probably are not meaning to do.

Thanks

I just plugged in a USB drive to the router. Works like a charm!

How to use network sharing

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