Best Way to Share Files and Folders over Network on Windows 7/8/10

Necessary to share files over a network

In the past for a long time, USB flash drive or the like plays a very important role in data transferring between computers. It works great yet somehow it no longer meets all requirements of modern computer users. An increasing number of users want to share files through a network in order to reduce the risk of data damage since removable or portable device is more vulnerable to unauthorized access. Also, the steps of transferring files to network are simpler and faster.

There are several advantages to share files over same network comparing to removable devices. First, the shared data can be accessed by multiple platforms including computers and smart phone and tablets simultaneously. Not necessary to insert say USB stick to PC one by one, let alone the device does not have USB port. Second, all files are better protected. When creating homegroup in Windows 7, 8, 10, a random join key will be created which is the only method to access to the shared folder. This saves the process of delivering portable device in which it could be lost. Whether in the company’s internal training, meeting, interaction or simply file sharing, network share plays a vital role.

Without doubt, this method has disadvantage as well. It can be attacked by hacker and used to transmit virus. Be careful at this aspect.

How to share files over a network on Windows 7?

Before realize transferring files over a network, you need to first create a network shared folder in the LAN. The steps are not so complex and there are many related tutorials on the Internet. If creating network shared on Windows XP or the prior, you have to add IPX/SPX at the beginning.

Next, you will need software to help you share files over network. In specific, you sync files on local drive you want to share with others to the network shared so that you don’t have to add them manually. Other computer users who are in the same LAN segment can view and copy those files on their own PC. More important, if authorized to modify the files on network shared, every involved PC user not just the host user is able to share his personal files to others in the group. This is quite convenient when sharing files in Homegroup network. Please note that Windows Vista and XP cannot join in Homegroup.

The “Basic Sync” in AOMEI Backupper Standard will assist you complete this task. It allows you to sync files from local drive to network or just between each area. For regular sync tasks, it provides sync mode including Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Event-triggers and Real-time Sync for users. Before syncing files, you have options to set file filter so that certain types of files won’t be transferred. Windows 11/10, 8, 7, XP and Vista are supported.

Feel free to download the free sync tool:

How to share files and folders over network via AOMEI Backupper?

1.  Install and run AOMEI Backupper. Go Sync and roll down the mouse to select Basic Sync.

2.  With Add Folder option, you can select all contents you want to share from the local PC.

3. Click the destination box to Select a network location.

Click Add Share or NAS devices to enter the network path and use it as the destination.

4.  You may want to set more customized configuration with beneath options before clicking Start Sync.

Tips:

• Click Filter settings under Browse to exclude specific files. This feature is available in AOMEI Backupper Professional.

• Sync Options: Make comment to distinguish this task from others.
• Schedule: set regular sync task here.
• In addition to sync feature, you can also share files over a network with File Backup or Cloud Backup feature. 

Summary 

File sharing via a network is easily achieved with the help of AOMEI Backupper. No complicated operating process included. If you’re running Windows 10, you can use this software to backup files to OneDrive desktop app. You may have noticed that you can also sync files to NAS. It is excellent backup software for QNAP NAS as well as for other NAS.