You can share files over a local network in an office or at home, or you can share files over the internet. Here are several file-sharing methods that you can use for any reason.
Types of File Sharing
There are two ways to share files over a network: directly between two computers or between a computer and a server. When a file is shared between a computer and a server, the computer uploads the file to a storage area on the server where you can share it with others. People that want access to the file download it from that server. When a file is shared between two computers over a network, the file is sent directly to the other person. This is often called peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing and works by communicating directly with the other person’s device, with no servers involved.
How to Share Individual Files and Folders
There are several ways to share files over a network, and while some methods are easier than others, all are similar.
With a File Transfer Tool
An on-demand file transfer program is a quick way to share files over any network, whether it’s the internet with someone in another country or a local network between two computers in an office. You usually don’t need a user account to use these file-sharing tools, and the directions are often straightforward. FTP is one example that involves setting up an FTP server on the computer that has the files to share. Anyone that wants the files uses an FTP client to communicate with the server to download the files. There are also peer-to-peer (P2P) tools for file sharing, such as ShareDrop. With this file-sharing tool, you’re provided a special URL that grants access to download your files, and you choose what to share from your computer. Takeafile and JustBeamIt are similar services that share files over the internet between two computers. You can also use torrents.
From a Cloud Storage Service
Cloud storage services store the file on a server. Others can download the file if they have the link to the file. Cloud storage services offer high speeds to download files, speeds a normal user might not be able to support (your upload bandwidth caps P2P file-sharing speeds). Use an online file storage website to share the same file with multiple people or to share a file with someone in the future and not re-upload it. The file is stored in your cloud file storage account for as long as you want. Temporary cloud storage services keep files for a few hours or days. WeTransfer and WeSendit.com are examples.
Over a Messaging Application
Another popular way to share files between computers is with a messaging app. Email and texting are two methods, but there are others. Look for a file selector where you can choose which files to share. Some apps that support file sharing include Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Slack, and Skype. Many are web-based messaging services, meaning you can share files without installing anything.
Use Your Operating System
Another way to share files over a network is with your computer’s operating system. There are often tools built-in to the OS that can do it, although this method is usually only beneficial for sharing files over a local network. A mapped drive is an uncomplicated way to set up a file-sharing network in Windows. A mapped drive allows you to download files directly from another computer that sets up a network share. You can also set up file sharing on a Mac and other operating systems.
Share a Whole Computer
When a computer is shared over a network, every file and folder on the computer is also shared. This isn’t something that you can do with a P2P file transfer service, cloud storage service, or messaging app. Those methods have you pick specific files to share, so a different solution is needed to share the entire computer. For example, you can share files in Windows by enabling the admin$ share so that anyone on the local network that knows the admin password can access every file on the computer. Another way to share access to all the computer files is with a remote access program. These tools work differently than a typical file sharing utility because instead of sharing the actual files, only the computer screen is shared. For example, install a free remote access program on your work computer to access the work computer from home. When you log in to the work computer remotely, you’re viewing the computer as if you were sitting in front of it, which means you’re sharing the programs, files, and everything else on the computer.
