[8 Solutions] How to Resolve Windows 10 File Sharing Not Functioning After Update 1803/1809/1903

The Windows 10 File Sharing feature allows users to effortlessly share files with computers within their local network, offering convenience and security. However, numerous users have encountered an issue following updates 1803, 1809, or 1903, where Windows 10 file sharing stops working. In response, we present 8 effective solutions to resolve the Windows 10 network sharing not working problem.

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P.S. If the file sharing issue is due to a non-starting associated service, it's advisable to restart your computer initially. If that doesn't resolve the problem, proceed with the subsequent methods.

关于修复Windows 10网络共享无法使用的问题

When the problem occurs, computers on the network might not find each other, or users can't access the files on another PC, or they can't see shared folders.

Regardless of the cause, it's crucial to resolve the issue promptly. The 8 methods shown below are effective approaches to try. Additionally, if all these solutions fail, the Todo PCTrans tool, a powerful PC data transfer utility, can be a useful workaround for you. Once you've fixed the issue with Windows 10 file sharing not functioning, you can proceed with file sharing between Windows 7 and Windows 10.

1. Enable and Use File Sharing Properly

File sharing can only function properly when you correctly enable the sharing settings. Additionally, you need to share the data in the correct manner. To do this, follow these steps:

Step 1. Click "Start" > "Control Panel" > "Network and Sharing Center" > "Advanced sharing settings".

Step 2. Under the "Private (current profile)" section, enable "Turn on network discovery" and "Turn on file and printer sharing". Click "Save changes" to apply the settings.

To ensure the issue can be resolved, enable File and Printer Sharing in your Windows firewall settings.

Step 1. Click "Start" > "Control Panel" > "Windows Firewall" > "Allow a program through Windows Firewall".

Step 2. In the pop-up window, select "File and Printer Sharing" from the list. Then, click "OK".

If this doesn't work, you can also try temporarily disabling Windows Defender to see if that assists in resolving the issue.

How to share files exactly To share files exactly, follow these steps: 1. **Select the File(s)**: First, identify and select the file or files you want to share. You can do this by clicking on them in your computer's file explorer, or within a specific application. 2. **Choose the Sharing Platform**: Decide on the method of sharing. Common options include email, cloud storage services (like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive), instant messaging apps (such as WhatsApp, Messenger, or WeChat), or even file transfer protocols like FTP. 3. **Upload the File(s)**: If using a cloud service, upload the selected files to your account by clicking on the "Upload" button and selecting the files from your computer. 4. **Set Permissions and Access**: Determine who can access the files and what level of access they have. This might involve adding recipients' email addresses, setting permissions (view-only, edit, or comment), and choosing whether to allow download options. 5. **Add a Message (optional)**: If necessary, compose a brief message to accompany the files, explaining their purpose or providing any additional information. 6. **Send the Link or Invite**: Once everything is set, click on the "Share" button to send the link or invitation to the recipient(s). Make sure to double-check the email addresses or contact information before sending. 7. **Notification and Confirmation**: The recipient will receive a notification about the shared file(s) and can access them according to the permissions you've granted. 8. **Track and Update**: Depending on the platform, you may be able to track when the files have been accessed or if any changes have been made. If needed, you can update or revoke access at any time. Remember to consider security and privacy when sharing files, especially if they contain sensitive information. Always use secure methods and ensure that the files are properly protected.

Step 1. Right-click on the file you want to share. Select "Properties" > "Sharing" > "Advanced Sharing".

Step 2. Check "Share this folder", then click "Apply" and "OK". You can click the "Permissions" option to set the permissions for files as per your requirements.

The above steps make your folder accessible to all users on your local network. If you wish to share it with specific users only, you can click the "Share" button in Step 1 to select them.

2. Turn Off Password Protection

When "Password protected sharing" is enabled, file sharing might fail because other users would either need to have a user account on your PC or know your username and password. Therefore, to resolve the issue of file sharing not functioning, you can attempt to disable this feature.

Step 1. Go to "Control Panel" > "Network and Sharing Center" > "Change advanced sharing settings".

Step 2. Next, under "All Networks," check the box for "Turn off password protected sharing" and click on "Save changes."

3. Add a Windows Credential

If you encounter issues accessing a specific folder while connecting to a remote server computer for file sharing, you may need to add a credential to resolve the problem. To proceed, you'll require the network address, username, and password of the remote computer or server.

Step 1. Open "Control Panel", and click on "Credential Manager".

Step 2. Select "Windows Credentials" and click the "Add a Windows credential" button.

Enter the target computer's IP address in the Internet or network address field, and then enter the User name and Password respectively. This should hopefully resolve the issue with file sharing.

4. Disable IPv6

Numerous users have reported that disabling IPv6 on their computers has resolved the file sharing issue, so give it a try.

Step 1. Open "Control Panel" and click on "Network and Sharing Center".

Step 2. Click on "Change adapter settings". In the Internet Connections window, double-click on your active Network Adapter.

Step 3. Click "Properties" and locate the "Internet Protocol Version 6" entry in the list. Deselect it and click "OK". After that, restart your computer and check if the issue persists.

5. Change File Sharing Connections

Windows uses 128-bit encryption to safeguard file sharing connections. However, certain devices might not support 128-bit encryption and require the use of 40-bit or 56-bit encryption instead. Consequently, you need to switch between these two sharing connections as per the actual device capabilities or requirements.

Step 1. Open "Control Panel", then click "Network and Sharing Center", followed by "Change advanced sharing settings".

Step 2. Under "All Networks", locate "File sharing connections". Try both 120-bit encryption and 40- or 56-bit encryption alternately.

6. Disable Antivirus on your PC

Sometimes, the antivirus software might block Windows file sharing. In that case, try disabling it temporarily to check if that resolves the issue. Make sure to update your antivirus to the latest version as well.

7. Enable SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support

The recent Windows 10 update might have disabled the SMB feature, which is essential for file sharing. To resolve this issue, enable SMB 1.0 in the Windows Features window.

Step 1. Open the "Control Panel". Click on "Programs and Features".

Step 2. Click "Turn Windows features on or off" on the left pane. In the pop-up window, scroll down to locate and select the "SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support" feature. Then, click "OK" and restart your computer.

8. Update Windows to the Latest Version

"Windows 10 file sharing not functioning could be attributed to issues with updates. It appears that the most recent versions of Windows 10 have addressed this problem. Hence, if you haven't already, consider upgrading to the latest Windows version."

Step 1. On your Windows PC, open "Settings". Navigate to "Update & security" and click on the "Check for updates" button under the Update status to see if there is a new version of Windows available.

Step 2. If it does, install the update right away, then restart your computer.

We've provided all possible solutions in the above content that can be directly performed on your Windows computer. We hope these methods have assisted you in resolving the issue of Windows 10 file sharing not functioning properly, and you can now proceed to share files between two computers seamlessly.

If you've tried them all, but to no avail, don't be disheartened. You still have a viable option, which is to utilize a dependable Windows 10 file sharing alternative to facilitate PC data transfer.

How to Transfer Data from One PC to Another using File Sharing Alternative in Windows 10

Windows 10 file sharing can be influenced by numerous factors. When it malfunctions, it might prove challenging to promptly address the issue. To guarantee a seamless and successful PC data transfer, you need reliable file sharing software like Todo PCTrans. As an intuitive PC transfer utility, Todo PCTrans allows you to迁移数据、应用程序和账户设置到另一台电脑，只需一键操作。它提供了三种简单的转移方式。

• PC to PC Transfer: Connect two Windows laptops/PCs via the network, and转移您的文件、应用和账户从旧电脑无线到新电脑。
• Backup & Restore: 创建以前计算机上的文件、文件夹或软件的映像，并将其转移到下一台计算机。它也可以用作备份。
• App Migration: 将已安装的软件移动到另一个本地驱动器，释放空间以解决磁盘空间不足的问题。

Now, download and utilize this PC file transfer tool as an efficient workaround to resolve the issue of Windows 10 file sharing not functioning properly.

Step 1. Launch Todo PCTrans on both your source and target computers, and connect them via the internet.

1. At the "PC to PC" section, choose the transfer direction and click "Start" to continue.

2. Select the target computer by its device name, then enter its account password or verification code. Click "Connect" to proceed.

You can check the verification code at the top right corner of the "PC to PC" main screen on the target computer.

Connect the two PCs

Step 2. Choose the categories Applications, Files, and Accounts to transfer over the internet.

If you want to transfer data selectively, click "Edit" under each category, and select the specific items you wish to transfer.

Step 3. Click "Transfer" to commence transferring your apps, files, and accounts from one computer to another computer via the Internet.

"Windows 10 Network Sharing Not Working" FAQ

1. How do I properly enable File Sharing?

1. Click "Start" > "Control Panel" > "Network and Sharing Center" > "Advanced sharing settings". Under the "Private (current profile)" section, select "Turn on network discovery" and "Turn on file and printer sharing." 2. Modify Windows Firewall settings: Navigate to "Start" > "Control Panel" > "Windows Firewall" > "Allow apps through Windows Firewall" > "File and Printer Sharing."

2. How do I resolve the issue of Network Sharing not functioning?

Addressing issues like file sharing abuse, computer adoption problems, Windows updates, and more, we highly recommend 8 effective solutions to resolve the problem of Windows 10 sharing not functioning.

1. Enable and Use File Sharing Correctly
2. Turn Off Password Protection
3. Add a Windows Credential
4. Disable IPv6
5. Change File Sharing Connections
6. Disable Antivirus Software on Your PC
7. Enable SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support
8. Update Windows to the Latest Version