# Configure and access shared folders on macOS
In this article, you will learn how to configure a new network share and access a folder shared from another device using macOS.
## Configure a user for Windows and Linux
To provide access to your shared content for Windows and Linux, you need to create a new user account with a username and a password on macOS.
{% tabs %}
{% tab title="macOS Ventura 13 or newer" %}
1. Select the Apple menu > **System settings**, and then click **Users & groups**.
2. Click the **Add account** button.
3. In the new window, select **Sharing only**, fill in the required information, and click **Create user**.\
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{% endtab %}
{% tab title="macOS Monterey 12 or older" %}
1. Select the Apple menu > **System preferences**, and then click **Users & groups**.
2. Unlock the settings menu by clicking the lock in the lower-left corner of the window.\
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3. Enter your device’s password and select **Unlock**.
4. Click the plus (+) button on the sidebar menu.
5. In the new window, select **Sharing only**, fill in the required information, and click **Create user**.\
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{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}
## Configure the Guest user
To provide access to your shared content for other operating systems, you can use Guest user.
{% tabs %}
{% tab title="macOS Ventura 13 or newer" %}
1. Select the Apple menu > **System settings**, and then click **Users & groups**.
2. Find **Guest user** and click the Info button.
3. In the new window, enable **Allow guest users to connect to shared folders** and click **Done**.\
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{% endtab %}
{% tab title="macOS Monterey 12 or older" %}
1. Select the Apple menu > **System preferences**, and click **Users & groups**.
2. Unlock the settings menu by clicking the lock in the lower-left corner of the window.
3. Enter your device’s password and select **Unlock**.
4. Click **Guest user** and select **Allow guest users to connect to shared folders**.\
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{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}
## Configure a network share
Once all of the user changes have been completed, you can proceed to share a folder.
{% tabs %}
{% tab title="macOS Ventura 13 or newer" %}
1. Select the Apple menu > **System settings**.
2. Head to **General** and choose **Sharing**.
3. Enable the **File sharing** option and click the Info button.\
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4. Add the folders you want to share by clicking the plus (+) button in the **Shared folders** section.
5. Click the **Options** button.
6. Select **Share files and folders using SMB**, choose the user created for Windows and Linux earlier, and click **Done**. You may be asked to enter the password of the added user.\
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7. Click **Done** to exit.\
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{% endtab %}
{% tab title="macOS Monterey 12 or older" %}
1. Select the Apple menu > **System preferences**, and then click **Sharing**.
2. Select **File sharing** and add the folders you want to share by clicking the plus (+) button.
3. To allow devices with other operating systems to access the shared folders, click the **Options** button in the **File sharing** section.
4. In the new window, select **Share files and folders using SMB**, select the user created for Windows and Linux earlier, and click **Done**. You may be asked to enter the password of the added user.
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5. The finished configuration should look as shown:
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{% endtabs %}
## Access shared folders
Once the network shares have been configured, they can be accessed by your Meshnet peers. Below, you can find instructions on accessing a shared folder from macOS.
1. Copy the device's Nord name directly from the NordVPN application by clicking it and choosing **Copy device’s Nord name**.
2. Control-click Finder and choose **Connect to server**.
3. In the new window, enter `smb://`, paste the Nord name followed by a slash (/) and the name of the network share, and then click **Connect**. \
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**Example**
`smb://secret.meerkat-andes.nord/MeshnetFolder`
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4. Click **Connect** once more to confirm the connection.
5. Select **Guest** or **Registered user**, depending on the folder’s configuration, and click **Connect**.
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## See also
* [Configure and access shared folders on Windows](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/~/changes/1En9yEoSh1cmyjIBsnEk/how-to/remote-files-media-access/set-up-folder-sharing/configure-and-access-shared-folders-on-windows)
* [Configure and access shared folders on Linux](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/~/changes/1En9yEoSh1cmyjIBsnEk/how-to/remote-files-media-access/set-up-folder-sharing/configure-and-access-shared-folders-on-linux)
* [Access shared folders on Android](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/~/changes/1En9yEoSh1cmyjIBsnEk/how-to/remote-files-media-access/set-up-folder-sharing/access-shared-folders-on-android)
* [Access shared folders on iOS](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/~/changes/1En9yEoSh1cmyjIBsnEk/how-to/remote-files-media-access/set-up-folder-sharing/access-shared-folders-on-android)
