Share a Folder or Drive

Applies To: Windows Server 2008

There are several methods you can use to share folders and files with others on the network. The Create a Shared Folder Wizard guides you through the steps of setting up a basic shared folder. You can also use the command-line interface to share a folder or drive.

Share a folder or drive

• Using the Windows interface

• Using a command line

To share a folder or a drive by using the Windows interface

1. Open Computer Management.

   • In Windows Vista: Click Start, click Control Panel, click System and Maintenance, click Administrative Tools, and then click Computer Management.

   • In Windows Server 2008: Click Start, click Control Panel, double-click Administrative Tools, and then click Computer Management.

2. If the User Account Control dialog box appears, confirm that the action it displays is what you want, and then click Continue.

3. In the console tree, click System Tools, click Shared Folders, and then click Shares.

4. On the Action menu, click New Share.

5. Follow the steps in the Create a Shared Folder Wizard, and then click Finish.

To share a folder or a drive by using a command line

1. To open an elevated Command Prompt window, click Start, point to All Programs, click Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator.

2. If the User Account Control dialog box appears, confirm that the action it displays is what you want, and then click Continue.

3. Type:

   net share <sharename=drive:path>
   

   For example, to share a folder named myshare located on drive C, in the path \Users\Myname, type:

   net share myshare=C:\Users\Myname
   

Additional references

Command-Line Syntax Notation