Often, computer files are used by several users, hence the need to share them. To do this, several solutions: put them in a folder accessible to all, deposit them in a cloud storage service (Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud) accessible from a device (computer, smartphone …) or finally, put them on a server equipping a network. These methods are all very easy to implement.
Steps
Method 1 of 7: In Google Drive
Step 1. Run your favorite Internet browser
Go to the Google Drive home page. At the top of the page, click the button Access Drive to access the… Google Drive login page.
If you have a Google Account and are already signed in for another service, you will have immediate access to Google Drive. Otherwise, successively type the username and password of your Google account
Step 2. Click on the folder you want to share
It is then highlighted in blue.
- To create a folder, click in the left column on New, then on Case (First line).
Step 3. Click on the 2 link icon
At the top right of the page, on the second row of icons, the first is two symbolic chain links. By clicking on it, you will be able to configure the sharing.
Step 4. Share the folder in question
There are two ways to share a folder in Google Drive, which corresponds to the 2 frames you have in front of you. In the lower one, you can copy the link that you will send to the people you want. In the top frame, you will define specific recipients. In the latter case, operate as follows (and it's simple!):
- in the field Add people and groups, enter the e-mail address of the person with whom you want to share the file;
- if you wish, type in the frame Message, a quick word of explanation;
- click on Send in the lower right corner. The recipient will thus receive the link which will allow him to have access to the entire contents of the file.
Step 5. Share the folder link with recipients
The principle is that you will copy the path of the folder to Google Drive and send it by email to the people of your choice. This method assumes that the file is not subject to any access restriction, in short, it is open. Besides email, you can send the link via text, social media message, etc. To share a link, operate as follows:
- click on the frame Get the link;
- click on the drop-down menu Limit;
- click on All users with the link;
- click above on Copy link;
- Paste this link (placed in the clipboard) in a message intended for the person concerned.
Method 2 of 7: In Dropbox
Step 1. Run your favorite Internet browser
Go to the Dropbox home page. At the top right of the page, click the button To log in to access your Dropbox account.
- If you're not already signed in to your account, enter the email address and associated password for your Dropbox account, then click To log in.
Step 2. Place the mouse cursor over the folder to share
This turns gray and a button To share appears on the right.
- To create a folder in Dropbox, click on a folder icon with a “+” sign, then click New folder. If your folder is already ready on your computer, in Dropbox, click To transfer, then Transfer a file in the menu.
Step 3. Click Share
This share button appears when you hover over the folder to share with the cursor.
Step 4. Share the file with specific people
As with Google Drive, Dropbox allows direct sharing of a folder or a link to the same folder. In the first case, sharing the folder with specific people, operate as follows:
- type in the first box the e-mail addresses of the recipients who will have access to the file;
- click on To share.
Step 5. Create a shared link to the folder
Once a folder link is created in Dropbox, just send it to the people who need it. This link is sent like any other link, by email, text message, social network message … To create and copy a link to the file, operate as follows:
- click on Create a link;
- click on Copy a link;
- Paste the link (from the clipboard) in the message to the people concerned.
Method 3 of 7: In iCloud
Step 1. Run your favorite Internet browser
Go to the iCloud home page.
Step 2. Sign in with your Apple ID
Enter your Apple ID email address and password, and click the arrow. Open your messages (on your iPhone or iPad), retrieve the verification code that was sent to you and type it on the site, validate by clicking on To verify.
Step 3. Click on iCloud Drive (
). Its icon is a fluffy cloud in various shades of blue. Click this icon to access iCloud Drive, iCloud's storage and sharing service. Because selected, it turns blue. At the top of the page, this icon features a head silhouette in a circle and a “+” sign at the bottom right. There are 2 ways to share a folder with iCloud: either direct access to the folder through Apple's native messaging software (Mail), or sending a shared link. For the first way (with Mail therefore), operate as follows: Access to a folder can be done in two ways: either you grant sharing directly to users or you selectively send a sharing link to a particular folder. In addition, you can configure the nature of the sharing, consultation or modification. A share link is sent like any other link, by email, text message, social network message … Here is how you can operate for a shared link: It is possible to share a folder on a network. From the control panel, you must activate network discovery, then sharing (files and printers). The operation is simple, you will proceed as follows: To do this, use the key combination ⊞ Win + E. Its icon is a yellow folder with a blue paper clip at the bottom. To open it, in addition to the previously indicated combination, you can also double-click on its icon. In File Explorer, find the folder you want to share. Right-click on its icon, then click Properties in the context menu. At the top of the properties menu is the second tab. There are displayed various sharing parameters. The window File sharing appears and makes it possible to determine the beneficiaries of the sharing. Click on the top drop-down list (there is only one), then choose your beneficiary (ies). You have several possibilities: grant the share to a specific user already created, enter a new user or grant permission to everyone. Your choice made, validate on the right with the button Add. The button is in the lower right corner. The folder is then shared with whomever you have chosen. To do this, right click on the user's line on the drop-down menu Authorization level. You then have two options: Reading Where Readind, writing. Level Reading allows users to see only the contents of the folder, not to modify it. The other mode allows both reading and modification of files in the folder. Copy it using the blue link in the sentence just below the name of the window, users of the folder will need this address. The button is in the lower right corner. The window Network access closes. It is possible to share a folder on a network. From the control panel, you must activate network discovery, then sharing (files and printers). The operation is simple, you will proceed as follows: To do this, use the key combination ⊞ Win + E. Its icon is a yellow folder with a blue paper clip at the bottom. To open it, in addition to the previously indicated combination, you can also double-click on its icon. The mention is very easy to see in the left frame. On the right, heading Computers, the machines to which you are connected are displayed. You should see the shared files and folders on this computer. It is possible, but very likely if the data is somewhat sensitive, that the author of the share has set up access by identifiers (which he will have previously communicated to you), you would enter them to have access to the shared folder. If you've done everything right, you should be able to work with this folder. You must log on as administrator, that is, with full privileges. Operate as follows to access the preferences: At the very end of the third line, you will find the share icon, a blue folder with a yellow diamond. Click on it to access the sharing settings. The right window is modified and allows you to specify certain authorizations. From there, if you are the administrator, you will be able to set the conditions for sharing with other users or other computers (in the case of a network). This is what you will do if you want to add a folder to be shared. Navigate in the Finder window to find the folder in question, then validate at the bottom with the button Add. The folder will then appear as part of the already shared folders. Step 1. Open a Finder window ( ). In the Dock, at the bottom of your screen, click on the blue and white square logo with 2 recessed faces. This is the fifth menu in the general menu bar at the top of the screen. A drop-down menu appears. This is the possibility offered to you at the bottom of the menu. In fact of server, it is the address of the computer on which the file is located. It will have been given to you by the one who set up the sharing. Then click on Connect. Click on To log in in the lower right corner. It is possible, but very likely if the data is somewhat sensitive, that the author of the share has set up access by identifiers (which he will have previously communicated to you), you would enter them to have access to the shared folder. Then click on Log in in the lower right corner. In the Finder, left column, locate the item Shared: there, click once on the computer concerned by the sharing of folders. On the right, you will see the shared folders of this computer appear.
Step 4. Click on the folder to share
If you don't have a folder yet, but files to share, create a new folder by clicking at the top of the page on a folder icon with a “+” sign. Give your file a meaningful name
Step 5. Click on the folder share icon
Step 6. Share the folder by email
Step 7. Share a link to a folder
Method 4 of 7: In Windows
Step 1. Enable file and printer sharing
Step 2. Open Windows File Explorer
Step 3. Right click on the folder, then click Properties
Step 4. Click the Sharing tab
Step 5. Click the gray Share button
Step 6. Select the beneficiaries of the sharing on the left
Step 7. Click Share
Step 8. Select the permission level for the folder
Step 9. Obtain the network path of the shared folder
Step 10. Click Done
Method 5 of 7: Access a shared folder (Windows)
Step 1. Enable file and printer sharing
Step 2. Open Windows File Explorer
Step 3. Click Network
Step 4. Double-click on the computer you want to access
If the computer you are looking for does not appear in the list, enter the network path in the address bar at the top
Step 5. Enter the username and password
Step 6. Double-click on the desired folder
Method 6 of 7: In macOS
Step 1. Open System Preferences
Step 2. Click Sharing
Step 3. Check the File Sharing box in the left frame
Step 4. Click on the + of the Shared Folders frame
Step 5. Select the folder to add
Method 7 of 7: Access a shared folder (macOS)
Step 2. Click Go
Step 3. Click Connect to Server
Step 4. Enter the server address
Step 5. Enter the username and password
Step 6. Click on the computer in question
Warnings
- Be careful with these shared folders. Over time, their contents can be read, modified, or even deleted. Also, be careful who you give your permission to share and limit it in time.
- Wireless networks not protected by password (does this exist?) Can be the prey of hackers who will be happy to look in this shared folder, it will be a breeze for them!
