You can open a shared folder from a Windows 10 PC by browsing the local network or by entering the share’s UNC path directly. Windows 10 reached the end of standard support on October 14, 2025, so a PC that still uses it should be covered by an appropriate Extended Security Updates option where applicable or moved to a supported version of Windows.
Open a network share in Windows 10
- Make sure the Windows 10 computer is connected to the same trusted local network as the computer or server hosting the folder.
- Press Windows+E to open File Explorer.
- Click the address bar and enter the share path in the form
\\ComputerName\ShareName, then press Enter. - If Windows asks for credentials, enter an account that has permission to use that share.
- Open the folder and confirm that you can read or modify files as expected for your assigned permissions.
Browse through Network if you do not know the share name
You can select Network in File Explorer and look for the computer hosting the folder. Network discovery must be enabled for browsing to work, and some networks intentionally block discovery. Directly entering a known UNC path is often more reliable than waiting for a device to appear under Network.
Map the folder to a drive letter
If you use the share frequently, right-click This PC and choose Map network drive. Pick an unused drive letter and enter the UNC path. You can choose to reconnect at sign-in. Do not save credentials on a shared or untrusted computer.
If Windows cannot reach the folder
Confirm that the host computer is turned on, the folder is actually shared, and your account has both share and file-system permissions. Also check that the network profile and firewall rules on the host permit the intended file-sharing traffic. Avoid disabling the firewall as a general troubleshooting step.
Older devices sometimes depend on obsolete SMB versions. Do not enable SMB 1.0 merely to make an old share appear unless you fully understand the security implications and have no safer migration path. Updating or replacing the legacy device is preferable.
On Windows 11, first turn on network discovery.
Turn on network discovery
If the host computer doesn’t appear under Network, check that discovery is on for the private network you’re using:
- Open Control Panel and go to Network and Sharing Center.
- Click Change advanced sharing settings.
- Under the Private profile, select Turn on network discovery and Turn on file and printer sharing.
- Click Save changes.
Only do this on a network you trust, such as your home or office network, and make sure that network is set to Private rather than Public.
Other ways to open a share
- Use the IP address. If the computer name doesn’t resolve, try the host’s IP address instead, such as
\\192.168.1.20\Shared. - Use the Run box. Press Windows+R, type the UNC path, and press Enter to open the folder in File Explorer.
- Use the command line. In Command Prompt,
net use Z: \\ComputerName\ShareNamemaps the share to drive Z:, andnet view \\ComputerNamelists the shares a computer offers.
Fix saved credential problems
If Windows keeps using the wrong account for a share, open Credential Manager from Control Panel, choose Windows Credentials, and remove the entry for that computer. The next time you open the share, Windows asks for the user name and password again.
Common error: “Windows cannot access” (0x80070035)
Error 0x80070035, “The network path was not found”, usually means the name or path is wrong, the host is offline, or file sharing is blocked. Check the spelling of the computer and share names, try the IP address, and confirm that file and printer sharing is turned on for the host’s network profile.
On Windows 11, the steps are almost the same. See our guide to mapping a network drive in Windows 11 if you’re moving to a newer PC.
Related: Join a workgroup in Windows 10.
Frequently asked questions
Do both computers need the same Windows version?
No. Windows 10, Windows 11, and many NAS devices can share folders with each other over SMB.
Why can I see the folder but not open files?
Your account probably has permission to view the share but not the files inside. Ask the owner of the host computer to check both the share permissions and the folder’s Security tab.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.