# Configure and access shared folders on Windows
In this article, you will learn how to set up a shared folder on Windows and access another device's shared folder from a Windows device.
## Configure a shared folder
You can choose from two methods of setting up shared folders: through the graphical interface or the PowerShell command line.
{% tabs %}
{% tab title="GUI" %}
To configure a shared folder using File Explorer's graphical interface, perform the following steps on your Windows device:
1. Right-click the folder that you want to share and select **Properties**.
2. Navigate to the **Sharing** tab and click **Share**.
3. In the lower-right corner, select **Share** and click **Done**.
4. On the **Sharing** tab, click the **Advanced sharing** button.
5. In the new window, select the **Share this folder** checkbox. In the **Share name** field, you can change the folder name for network identification, keeping in mind to use a unique name that doesn't include spaces.
6. Click **Apply** to save the changes, and **OK**.
The folder is now ready for access over Meshnet. Your Meshnet peers will need the network path provided in the **Sharing** tab to access the folder remotely, as described further in the article.
{% endtab %}
{% tab title="PowerShell" %}
You can use the PowerShell command line capabilities to share a folder by taking these steps:
1. Open **PowerShell** as an administrator.
2. Run the following command to create a shared folder:
\
Make sure to replace:
* `` with your desired share name
* `` with the path to the folder you want to share
* `` with the name of your Windows user account\
\
**Example**
\
The output should display the details of your new shared folder.
You have successfully configured your folder for remote access over Meshnet.
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{% endtabs %}
### Finding PC access credentials
When connecting to the shared folder, you must enter authentication details. The username and password depend on the Windows account the PC uses.
* If you're using a Microsoft account, you can use either:
* Your Microsoft account's email address and password.\
\
**Example**
* Your Windows account's username and Microsoft account's password.\
\
**Example**
* If you're using a local Windows account, you need to use the account's username and password.
{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip**
To view your Windows account's username, run the following command in **PowerShell**:
{% code overflow="wrap" %}
```powershell
$env:username
```
{% endcode %}
{% endhint %}
## Access shared folders
{% hint style="info" %}
**Note**
You can find platform-specific instructions for accessing the shared folder in the appropriate guides:
* [Access shared folders from macOS](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/how-to/remote-files-media-access/configure-and-access-shared-folders-on-macos#access-shared-folders)
* [Access shared folders from Linux](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/how-to/remote-files-media-access/configure-and-access-shared-folders-on-linux#access-shared-folders)
* [Access shared folders from Android](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/how-to/remote-files-media-access/set-up-folder-sharing/access-shared-folders-on-android)
* [Access shared folders from iPhone/iPad](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/how-to/remote-files-media-access/set-up-folder-sharing/access-shared-folders-on-ios)
* [Access shared folders from Android TV](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/how-to/remote-files-media-access/set-up-folder-sharing/access-shared-folders-from-android-tv)
{% endhint %}
To connect to a folder shared by another device in your Meshnet from a Windows device:
1. Copy the sharer's Nord name directly from the NordVPN app.
2. Press the **Windows** key + **R** on your keyboard to open the **Run** command dialog.
3. Enter `\\`, paste the Nord name, followed by a backslash (\\) and the name of the network share.\
\
**Example**
`\\secret.meerkat-himalayas.nord\MeshnetFolder`\
\
The format must match the network path in the folder’s sharing properties, replacing the device’s name with the Nord name.
4. Click **OK**.
5. In the **Enter network credentials** dialog, click **More choices** and select **Use a different account**.
6. Enter the username and password for accessing the shared folder.
\
Optionally, you can select **Remember my credentials** option, so you won't need to enter authentication details for this folder again.
7. Click **OK**.
The shared folder should now open in File Explorer.
### Mount a shared folder
Accessing a shared folder using the **Run** command dialog can get tedious because you have to enter the folder's network path each time. To overcome this, you can map the folder directly on your system and conveniently access it anytime.
1. Copy the sharer's Nord name directly from the NordVPN app.
2. Open **File Explorer** and select **This PC** from the menu on the left.
3. Select to map a new network drive.
* On Windows 11: click the **More** button and choose **Map network drive**.
* On Windows 10: in the upper-left corner, click **Computer** and select **Map network drive**.
4. From the **Drive** dropdown list, select a drive letter.
5. In the **Folder** field, enter `\\` and paste the Nord name followed by a backslash (\\) and the name of the network share.\
\
**Example**
`\\secret.meerkat-himalayas.nord\MeshnetVideos`\
6. Select **Connect using different credentials** and click **Finish**.
7. Enter the required username and password for accessing the shared folder and click **OK**.
The mounted network drive will now be visible and easily accessible from **This PC**, under **Network locations**.
## See also
* [Configure and access shared folders on macOS](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/how-to/remote-files-media-access/set-up-folder-sharing/configure-and-access-shared-folders-on-macos)
* [Configure and access shared folders on Linux](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/how-to/remote-files-media-access/set-up-folder-sharing/configure-and-access-shared-folders-on-linux)
key + **R** on your keyboard to open the **Run** command dialog.
3. Enter `\\`, paste the Nord name, followed by a backslash (\\) and the name of the network share.\
\
**Example**
`\\secret.meerkat-himalayas.nord\MeshnetFolder`\
\
The format must match the network path in the folder’s sharing properties, replacing the device’s name with the Nord name.
4. Click **OK**.
5. In the **Enter network credentials** dialog, click **More choices** and select **Use a different account**.
6. Enter the username and password for accessing the shared folder.
