# Sharing files on Windows
This guide provides the information you need to start sharing files over Meshnet on Windows.
## Before you begin
Make sure that the device you want to share files with meets the following criteria:
* The device is connected to your Meshnet.
* The [file sharing permissions](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/features/explaining-permissions/file-sharing-permissions) are granted.
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**Note**
You can add devices to your Meshnet in two ways, depending on device ownership:
* To add your own device, just enable Meshnet on that device. See [Using Meshnet on Windows](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/getting-started/how-to-start-using-meshnet/using-meshnet-on-windows#add-your-devices-to-meshnet) for details.
* To add an external device, send an invitation via the NordVPN app with the owner's email. Ensure the invitation is accepted. See [Adding external Meshnet devices on Windows](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/features/linking-devices-in-meshnet/adding-meshnet-devices-on-windows) for details.
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## Send files
You can initiate a file transfer from the [NordVPN](https://nordvpn.com/download/windows/) app or by using the Windows shortcut menu.
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**Tip**
You can initiate file transfers even if the desired peer device is offline. The device will receive the transfer notification as soon as it becomes active. If the **Always accept transfers** option is enabled, the transfer starts automatically without needing confirmation.
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### Method 1: From the File transfers tab
1. Open NordVPN and select the **File transfers** tab.
2. Under the **Start new transfer** tab, locate the peer device to which you want to send files.
3. To transfer individual files:
1. Click the **Send files** button.
2. Select the files in the File Explorer dialog, and click **Open**. You can choose a single file or multiple files at once.
4. To transfer a folder:
1. Click the **Send folder** button.
2. Select the folder you want to share, and click **OK**.
If you do not wish to navigate the file explorer, you can drag and drop the desired files directly on the peer device to initiate the transfer.
The file transfer begins when the recipient accepts your download request on their device. For details, consult the appropriate guides:
* [Receive shared files on Windows](#sharingfilesovermeshnetonwindows-receivesharedfiles)
* [Receive shared files on Android](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/features/sharing-files-android#sharingfilesovermeshnetonandroid-receivesharedfiles)
* [Receive shared files on iPhone/iPad](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/features/sharing-files-ios#sharingfilesovermeshnetonios-receivesharedfiles)
* [Receive shared files on macOS](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/features/sharing-files-macos#sharingfilesovermeshnetonmacos-receivesharedfiles)
* [Receive shared files on Linux](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/features/sharing-files-linux#sharingfilesovermeshnetonlinux-receivesharedfiles)
* [Receive shared files on Android TV](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/features/sharing-files-androidtv#receive-shared-files)
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**Note**\
You can only send files to the devices that have the file sharing permission enabled for your device. Otherwise, you’ll find a button labeled **Sending not allowed** in place of the **Send files** button. For more information, see [File sharing permissions](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/features/explaining-permissions/file-sharing-permissions).
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### Method 2: From the Windows context menu
1. On your computer, right-click the file or folder you want to share. You can also right-click a group of files after selecting them together.
2. Point to **Send with NordVPN Meshnet** and select the Meshnet peer device you want to share the files with.
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**Tip**\
If you prefer not to have the **Send with NordVPN Meshnet** option in your context menu, you can easily disable it. To do this, go to NordVPN **Settings** > **General** and turn off the toggle for **Show the Meshnet file sharing option in the Windows context menu**.
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## Receive shared files
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**Note**
Ensure that Meshnet is enabled on your device to receive the file transfer request from the sender.
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To download files shared from another linked device, do the following steps:
1. Have your Meshnet peer send the files. The file transfer request will appear in your NordVPN app and as a Windows notification.
2. For single-file transfers, click **Accept** to save the file to your Downloads folder.
3. If the sharer attempts to send you multiple files, you will be prompted to review the files first. \
Click **Review** to open the **Review files** dialog.
\
Alternatively, go to **File transfers** > **All transfers** and click **Review** next to the incoming transfer request.
4. In the **Review files** dialog, clear the checkboxes to the left of the files that you don’t want to download, if any.
5. Click **Confirm selected**.
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**Tip**
The first file transfer request notification from a peer device will contain an **Always accept transfers from this device** checkbox. You can select it to accept future transfers from this sender automatically.
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### Set the download location
By default, Meshnet uses your system's default download directory, typically the Downloads folder, for all file transfers. If you prefer to save files received over Meshnet in a different location, you can manually select the desired folder in the NordVPN app settings.
1. Open **NordVPN** and go to **Settings** > **General**.
2. Next to **Download location for Meshnet** transfers click **Change**.
3. In the folder explorer dialog, select the new download directory and click **OK**.
Upon making the change, all files downloaded over Meshnet will be saved in the selected directory. You can check the path to the new download location in the settings menu.
### Locate downloaded files
Once the download is complete, you can find the files shared with you by doing any of the following:
* Clicking **Open file location** in the notification that appears when the file is downloaded.
* Going to **File transfers** > **All transfers** and clicking the folder button to the right of the downloaded file.
* Checking the chosen download folder location.
## Monitor and manage incoming transfers
To monitor and manage Meshnet file transfers, navigate to the **All transfers** tab of the **File transfers** view.
Canceling a file transfer
* To terminate a file transfer currently in queue or in progress, click the Cancel (x) button.
Clearing your transfer history
* To remove a file transfer from your history, click the bin button.
## See also
* [Sharing files on Android](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/features/sharing-files-in-meshnet/sharing-files-android)
* [Sharing files on iPhone/iPad](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/features/sharing-files-in-meshnet/sharing-files-ios)
* [Sharing files on macOS](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/features/sharing-files-in-meshnet/sharing-files-macos)
* [Sharing files on Linux](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/features/sharing-files-in-meshnet/sharing-files-linux)
* [Sharing files on Android TV](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/features/sharing-files-in-meshnet/sharing-files-androidtv)
tab.
> **General** and turn off the toggle for **Show the Meshnet file sharing option in the Windows context menu**.
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## Receive shared files
{% hint style="info" %}
**Note**
Ensure that Meshnet is enabled on your device to receive the file transfer request from the sender.
{% endhint %}
To download files shared from another linked device, do the following steps:
1. Have your Meshnet peer send the files. The file transfer request will appear in your NordVPN app and as a Windows notification.
2. For single-file transfers, click **Accept** to save the file to your Downloads folder.
button to the right of the downloaded file.
* Checking the chosen download folder location.
## Monitor and manage incoming transfers
To monitor and manage Meshnet file transfers, navigate to the **All transfers** tab of the **File transfers** 
button.
