Quick Guide: How to View All Network Shares on a Windows PC

File-sharing over a secure network happens a lot more commonly in controlled environments. But if you’re setting it up for the first time on your personal device or managed network, here’s our comprehensive guide on how to view all files on shared network computers. Let’s dive in.

Methods to view all Network Shares

There are four common methods to view all network shares; you can use:

✔️ File Explorer (Recommended)

✔️ Command Prompt (general guide on using the Command Prompt)

✔️ PowerShell

✔️ Computer Management

The quickest way to view all network shares for general purposes is via File Explorer.

Option 1: Using File Explorer (Recommended)

1. Open File Explorer or press Win + E.
2. In the address bar, type \\YourComputerName or \\YourIPAddress.
3. Press Enter to view a list of folders shared on the network.

🥷 Tip: If Network is pinned to Quick Access, just click the icon and tap your computer name to view network shares. Should you receive a prompt, enter network credentials to access shared resources.

Option 2: Using Command Prompt (For quick listings)

1. Type cmd in the Run dialog box, and press CTRL + Shift + Enter to open the Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Run the net share command to display all network shares.

The Command Prompt method is the fastest if you’re just looking for an overview or list of shared items.

Option 3: PowerShell (For detailed information)

1. From Start, search and open PowerShell.
2. Type Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Share and press Enter.

Option 4: Using Computer Management (For GUI-based management)

1. Search Computer Management from the Start menu or open Run and type compmgmt.msc to get started.
2. Navigate to System Tools → Shared Folders → Shares
3. A list of all shared folders on the PC will be displayed.

Troubleshooting network share issues

There are a few known issues you may encounter when managing shared files. Here are some basic troubleshooting steps to address them:

Issue: Shared folders are not visible on the network

Ensure Network Discovery and File Sharing settings are enabled:.

1. Open Control Panel
2. Navigate to Network and Internet →Network and Sharing Center → Advanced sharing settings
3. Toggle the ✅ Turn on network discovery and ✅ Turn on file and printer sharing options under Private.
4. Press Save changes to proceed.

This page will also display whether you have a public or private profile enabled for network sharing.

🥷 Tip: See the FAQ below for more details on each network-sharing profile.

Issue: Can’t access a shared folder

Validate if you have permission to access the target folder or if you have the correct user account to do so. Double-check your credentials if password-protected sharing is enabled.

Issue: Network shares are slow or unresponsive

Restarting the network adapter and router is recommended to diagnose connection and network issues. In some cases, turning off third-party firewalls can also interfere with network connections or sharing.

View All Network Shares FAQs

How do I see all network shares in Windows from another computer?

You can use Computer Management to snap into another computer and view network shares. Navigate to System Tools → Shared Folders → Shares, then right-click Computer Management (Local) → Connect to another computer.

Why can’t I access shared folders on my network?

Network discovery and File sharing settings might be turned off, or access to the network shares might be limited. To check the active file-sharing options, right-click the shared folder and select Properties → Sharing → Advanced Sharing → Permissions.

Why can’t I access shared folders on my network?

You can start by confirming if both PCs are connected to the same network. If there’s an error message, consider the following scenarios and troubleshooting steps:

• Access Denied – Check folder-sharing permissions and password encryption.
• Network Path Not Found – Verify network sharing and discovery settings. You may also disable the firewall.
• Windows Cannot Access \PC-NAME – Try resetting the network or disabling firewall settings.

If a Windows Update is pending, update both devices to clear errors or bugs that may affect network settings.

What’s the difference between public and private sharing?

To summarize, the Public Network (Recommended) profile is ideal when connecting to publicly shared networks (e.g., coffee shops, airports, hotels) since this setting prevents your device from being discoverable.

On the other hand, the Private network profile makes your device discoverable in your own or shared secured network (e.g., home Wi-Fi, managed environments).

Confirming your active networking profile is essential so you don’t get stuck wondering, “How can I see all my network devices?” while having the opposing network sharing setup.

Can I manage shared folders remotely?

You can use Computer Management and navigate to System Tools → Shared Folders → Shares, then right-click Computer Management (Local) → Connect to another computer.

In managed environments, a third-party endpoint management tool is ideal for remotely managing IT infrastructures. It allows users to access network shares easily and maintain strict compliance requirements.

How do I remove a network share from my PC?

Right-click a shared file or folder and select Give access to → Remove access from the context menu. Alternatively, click the Advanced sharing option and toggle ◻ Share this folder to stop sharing.

You can also go to the Share tab on the ribbon or top menu in File Explorer and tap Remove access to stop sharing the selected items.

Rounding up Windows network file-sharing best practices

Network sharing is a great way to expedite resource management for personal tasks and collaborative projects. It’s also incredibly efficient in managed environments, allowing IT operators to deploy with ease and minimal intervention.

That said, file-sharing over a network also carries its own set of risks. Hence, it’s essential to regularly and thoroughly check or update protocols to prevent unauthorized access and mishandling of sensitive data.