# 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 NordVPN app is running, and the Meshnet feature is enabled in the app.
* The device is connected to your Meshnet.&#x20;

{% hint style="info" %}
**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/~/changes/otYJMg7qFzDy0nWn86iM/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/~/changes/otYJMg7qFzDy0nWn86iM/features/linking-devices-in-meshnet/adding-meshnet-devices-on-windows) for details.
  {% endhint %}

## Send files <a href="#sharingfilesovermeshnetonwindows-sendfiles" id="sharingfilesovermeshnetonwindows-sendfiles"></a>

You can initiate a file transfer from the [NordVPN](https://nordvpn.com/download/windows/) app or using the Windows shortcut menu that appears when you right-click an object.

### Send files from the NordVPN app <a href="#sharingfilesovermeshnetonwindows-sendfilesfromthenordvpnapp" id="sharingfilesovermeshnetonwindows-sendfilesfromthenordvpnapp"></a>

1. In your NordVPN app, do any of the following:
   * Click the Download<img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2F7tCMffJNmI6bpiT5NUdv%2FNotification%20button.svg?alt=media&#x26;token=7f8a72a3-3f47-4bc5-8dd7-f5c056442150" alt="" data-size="line"> button in the upper-right corner, then click the **Send files** button. <br>

     <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2F8Ksr35IdEzFhueouZ8P2%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=17e6509f-5d71-440d-8569-e93758b8601e" alt="The Download button is highlighted"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

   * Go to the **Meshnet** tab and click the **Share files** button.

2. To upload your file:
   * Click anywhere in the **Drag and drop files here** area, navigate to your file, then click **Open**. You can also pick multiple files to share them together. To to select items that are not next to each other, press and hold **Ctrl** as you click each additional file you want to select.
   * Alternatively, navigate to the file location and then drag the file you want to share to the **Drag and drop files here** area. You can select a group of files and drag them at once.​<br>

     <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://files.gitbook.com/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FBHFL84TBVF072JQfhY40%2Fuploads%2Filobz1gygog8oZ5pFY4L%2F12247597896.gif?alt=media" alt="Dragging files to upload"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

3. Under **Your devices** or **External devices**, find the device you want to share with. If you have many linked devices, you may want to simplify the search by selecting the **Show only devices that allow receiving files from you** checkbox.

4. Click **Send**.<br>

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FWTCDYCTorTqPZDRzYQCy%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=afe36a1b-ac64-4ddf-b0ef-4153f60b99af" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

The file transfer begins as soon as the recipient accepts your download request on their device. See how to [Receive shared files on a Window](#sharingfilesovermeshnetonwindows-receivesharedfiles) device further in this article.

{% hint style="info" %}
**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** button. For more information, see [File sharing permissions](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/~/changes/otYJMg7qFzDy0nWn86iM/features/explaining-permissions/file-sharing-permissions).
{% endhint %}

### Send files to multiple devices <a href="#sharingfilesovermeshnetonwindows-sendfilestomultipledevices" id="sharingfilesovermeshnetonwindows-sendfilestomultipledevices"></a>

After uploading files in the **Drag and drop files here** area, you can share the same attachment with multiple devices.

Click the **Send** button next to each device you want to share with, one at a time.

### Send files using the context menu <a href="#sharingfilesovermeshnetonwindows-sendfilesusingtheshortcutmenu" id="sharingfilesovermeshnetonwindows-sendfilesusingtheshortcutmenu"></a>

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**. <br>

   <figure><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FwkGbzwtgWHP07MEjjWaw%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=3e006171-8b6d-41c7-b28a-8daaa72fbb26" alt="Pointing to the Send with NordVPN Meshnet command "><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. Select the Meshnet device you want to share the file with.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip**\
If you prefer not to have the **Send with NordVPN Meshnet** command in your context menu, you can easily disable it. To do this, go to **Settings**![](https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2F5SsnV7PnLhSYcds8IRZO%2FSettings%2024px.svg?alt=media\&token=825ede20-8ece-4bee-9e85-bc79c29b8444) > **General** and turn off the toggle for **Show the Meshnet file sharing option in the Windows context menu**.

![](https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FByjufgQsDemMXPPqgVkV%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=6236d85f-b157-4f2b-95e6-b8e2a1a7831c)
{% endhint %}

### Monitor and manage outgoing transfers <a href="#sharingfilesovermeshnetonwindows-monitorandmanageoutgoingtransfers" id="sharingfilesovermeshnetonwindows-monitorandmanageoutgoingtransfers"></a>

To monitor and manage transfers that are being sent from your device, click **View transfer** next to the recipient’s device.

Once you’ve initiated a transfer, you can find the files that you're sharing and their transfer status under the **Sent** tab.

#### Canceling a file transfer  <a href="#sharingfilesovermeshnetonwindows-cancelingafiletransfer" id="sharingfilesovermeshnetonwindows-cancelingafiletransfer"></a>

* To cancel a file transfer that is currently in the queue or in progress, click the Cancel (x) button.
* To cancel all pending or active transfers, click the More<img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FBf07MbqfDr2PvoRCfObE%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=0921cb9d-0596-4a3d-be91-126d1ff250a2" alt="" data-size="line"> button and select **Cancel all pending sent transfers** or **Cancel all sent transfers**, respectively.

#### Clearing your transfer history <a href="#sharingfilesovermeshnetonwindows-clearingyourtransferhistory" id="sharingfilesovermeshnetonwindows-clearingyourtransferhistory"></a>

* To remove a completed file transfer from your history, click the bin<img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FfQs0MTF4Pq83x3dmDVBC%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=a70939ee-3b4e-488e-88c7-1b70c4a5231c" alt="" data-size="line"> button.
* To remove all completed file transfers, click the More<img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FOoUtxUz0rUhoqVZfJoB0%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=f4d04e41-f05c-4334-8bd1-239807adaf99" alt="" data-size="line"> button and select **Clear completed sent transfers**.

## Receive shared files <a href="#sharingfilesovermeshnetonwindows-receivesharedfiles" id="sharingfilesovermeshnetonwindows-receivesharedfiles"></a>

To receive files shared from another linked device, do the following steps:

1. Have your Meshnet peer send the files. You'll see their file transfer request as a Windows notification and in your NordVPN app.

2. Optionally, select the **Always accept transfers from this device**, to automatically accept future file transfers from this sender.<br>

   <figure><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2Fcp4FS4VNG8m1sYQDRxBj%2Fwin_drop_always_accept.png?alt=media&#x26;token=807bd192-5d83-4682-ba03-771dcba1204d" alt="Selecting the &#x22;Always accept file transfers from this device&#x22; option."><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. Click **Accept** to save the file to your Downloads folder.&#x20;

4. If the sharer attempts to send you multiple files, you will be prompted to review the files first. \
   Click **Review** to open the **Transfers** view.

   Or, go to Meshnet<img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2Fs1IEG3rmX4UB2LK4eZwH%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=4f734149-c799-448a-8801-723093bbfeb8" alt="" data-size="line"> > **Share files** and click **View transfers** next to the sender’s device.<br>

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2F61sri29d2tAUdjHkv0Ct%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=70436c32-e567-4873-952c-bd7d3eb2db30" alt="Clicking the view transfers button"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

5. Under **Pending downloads**, clear the checkboxes to the left of the files that you don’t want to download, if any.

6. Click **Download selected**.

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 **View transfers** > **Downloads** and clicking the folder![](https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2Fam7uRlunFs6xmv1VpAdg%2FIcon%20Button.svg?alt=media\&token=b94b0c0b-15eb-424c-84be-834bf3a50dd2) button to the right of the downloaded file.
* Checking your system's default download folder location.

### Monitor and manage incoming transfers <a href="#sharingfilesovermeshnetonwindows-monitorandmanageincomingtransfers" id="sharingfilesovermeshnetonwindows-monitorandmanageincomingtransfers"></a>

To monitor and manage file transfers that you’re receiving, click **View transfer** next to the sender’s device.

Once you’ve accepted a download request, you can view the file download status and progress under the **Downloads** tab.&#x20;

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2F1D53linKEj1UMBUz42CD%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=89eb091f-63b7-44cb-a4de-08e5a4cb4243" alt="Various file download statuses are shown: two files are being downloaded, one file failed, and two files completed"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

#### Canceling a file download <a href="#sharingfilesovermeshnetonwindows-cancelingafiledownload" id="sharingfilesovermeshnetonwindows-cancelingafiledownload"></a>

* To cancel a file download that is currently in the queue or in progress, click the Cancel (x) button.
* To cancel all active downloads, click the More<img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2F6xtqY0fpTJADcuiwNB2x%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=f1d52efe-7007-4b74-80bb-a2babdf74a7d" alt="" data-size="line"> button and select **Cancel all downloads**.

#### Clearing your download history <a href="#sharingfilesovermeshnetonwindows-clearingyourdownloadhistory" id="sharingfilesovermeshnetonwindows-clearingyourdownloadhistory"></a>

* To clear the download history for individual files, click the bin<img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2F6fd0uTGbgKI4nMSKqyhD%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=952abf9c-fcbd-42ed-b833-e1dddc2942c8" alt="" data-size="line"> button to the right.
* To remove all completed file downloads, click the More<img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FStZcsYM50QwiCRcRaGt1%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=07542e99-3810-4285-85a1-38ca08183ffb" alt="" data-size="line"> button and select **Clear all completed downloads**. &#x20;

## See also <a href="#sharingfilesovermeshnetonwindows-seealso" id="sharingfilesovermeshnetonwindows-seealso"></a>

* [Sharing files on Android](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/~/changes/otYJMg7qFzDy0nWn86iM/features/sharing-files-in-meshnet/sharing-files-android)
* [Sharing files on iOS](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/~/changes/otYJMg7qFzDy0nWn86iM/features/sharing-files-in-meshnet/sharing-files-ios)
* [Sharing files on macOS](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/~/changes/otYJMg7qFzDy0nWn86iM/features/sharing-files-in-meshnet/sharing-files-macos)
* [Sharing files on Linux](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/~/changes/otYJMg7qFzDy0nWn86iM/features/sharing-files-in-meshnet/broken-reference)

<br>
