Quite possibly the most pervasive issue that both Windows 11 and 10 users have reported is the “Your folder can’t be shared” error. Some folks find it annoying, especially when they’re used to sharing information easily, and it suddenly becomes a problem due to the error message. If you’ve landed on this page seeking a solution to the issue, feel free to try the offered options.
How to Fix the “Your Folder Can’t Be Shared” Error
The methods listed below were gathered from various Windows users who successfully deleted the error message and shared the folder. I hope one of these solutions can help you too.
Restart your Windows PC
Whenever you can’t share a folder, try restarting your PC. This typically resolves most issues and helps your PC perform more smoothly. A simple restart can also alleviate your PC’s critical issues.
- Press the Start button on your Windows PC.
- Choose the Power button found in the left menu.
- Wait for a few moments, and when the PC is turned on, check if the folder can now be shared.
Activate File and Printer Sharing
Activating File and Printer Sharing has proven to be one of the most efficient solutions for several users dealing with folders that couldn’t be shared in Windows. To enable file sharing on your Windows machine, follow the instructions below.
- Press the Start button.
- Enter the word Control Panel and select it.
- Select Network and the Internet next.
- Click Network and Sharing Centre on the right pane.
- Then, select Change advanced sharing settings, found on the left panel.
- Expand the Guest or Public section and click the radio button to enable the option “Turn on file and printer sharing.”
Utilize the Advanced File-Sharing Settings in Windows.
If the above suggestions have failed to fix the inability to share files issue, utilizing the Advanced Sharing options should be one of the next methods you try. This method, known to work for several Windows users, allows you to change permissions to give full access to all users on the same network. Refer to the detailed instructions below on how to do it.
- Find the folder you want to share.
- Right-click and select Properties from the options.
- In the Properties window, go to the Sharing tab.
- Click Advanced Sharing under the Sharing tab.
- In the Advanced Sharing window, check the box labeled Share this folder.
- Then select Permissions next.
- Under the Allow section, check the box next to Full Control to allow anyone you wish to share important files in the folder.
- Click OK to save the changes.
After you’ve performed the steps above, you should be able to share the folder with anyone on your local network. If you’re using the Password Protection feature on your Windows PC, you’ll need to do these additional steps.
- Click the Add button in the Share Permissions window.
- Select the Advanced button.
- Select Find Now.
- Choose authenticated users.
- Click OK.
- Check the full control box.
- Select Apply.
- Select OK.
Temporarily switch off the third-party antivirus program.
There are times when a third-party antivirus application installed on the PC is the primary cause of the “Your folder can’t be shared” issue. Disable your antivirus program temporarily to share the folder on your local network.
Disable the password-protected sharing feature in Windows.
If disabling your antivirus software doesn’t work, try disabling your PC’s password-protected sharing. Remember that this method is risky because it allows unauthorized users to access the folder, but it solves the problem of sharing the folder.
- Press the Start button.
- Enter the word Control Panel and select it.
- Choose Network and Internet.
- Then select Network and Sharing Centre next.
- Click on Change Advanced Sharing Settings.
- Expand the All Networks section.
- Find the Password Protected Sharing section.
- Check the box next to turn off password-protected sharing.
- Click Save Changes afterward.
- Check if the message “Your folder can’t be shared” has been eliminated now that the Password Protected Sharing feature is disabled.
Remove and reinstall the Windows version.
Reinstall the Windows 10 or 11 version on your PC to fix the error message “Your folder can’t be shared.” I recommend this solution as a last resort if none of the identified suggestions allow you to share the folder on your local network.
I hope one of these methods helps you get back to sharing your folders effortlessly. If you have any other tips or tricks, feel free to share them in the comments below!