Setting up your own file server can be a great way to share files among your own devices or with others. If you are using Windows 10, you can easily turn your computer into a file server. In this article, we will guide you on how to set up Windows 10 as your very own file server.
Step 1: Install Necessary Hardware
To set up a file server, you will need a dedicated computer that stays on all the time or a NAS device. When you have one of these, choose the hard drive you will use for storage. If you want a faster upload and download speeds, you can use a solid-state drive (SSD).
Step 2: Install the Windows Server Role
You will want to install the Windows server role within Windows 10 to set up your computer as a file server. To do this, go to the Start menu, type “Control Panel,” and click on it. Click on Programs, and then click on Programs and Features. Click on the “Turn Windows features on or off” option to open it. In the Windows Features box, scroll down to the “File and Storage Services” option, and tick the box next to it. Now click on the plus sign to expand the File and Storage Services option. Select “SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support” and “SMB Direct” features. You may have to restart your computer after this process.
Step 3: Create Shared Folders
The next step involves creating a shared folder that will hold the files you want to share. Go to the File Explorer window, and navigate to the folder you want to share. Right-click on the folder, and select “Properties.” Select the “Sharing” tab, and click on the “Advanced Sharing” button. Tick the box that reads “Share this folder” and give it a relevant name. You may also need to set the user permissions and security according to your needs.
Step 4: Map the Network Drive
After creating the shared folder, you can map the network drive to access it quickly. To do that, go to the File Explorer window, and click on “This PC” from the left pane. Click on “Map network drive” from the Home tab. Select a drive letter for this shared folder and type its path to the folder location, for example, “\\192.168.1.10\docs.” Select the “Reconnect at sign-in” option if you want this drive always to be available to you.
Step 5: Test the Server
Now that you have set up your Windows 10 as the file server, you can test it. You can do it by accessing the shared folder from another computer on the same network. To do this, open the File Explorer window on the computer you want to use to access the shared folder. Click on the “Network” icon in the left-hand pane, and you will see the computer you just configured as a file server. Double-click on it to access the shared folder.
In conclusion, setting up Windows 10 as your file server requires some technical knowledge, but it is not complicated. You need to have a dedicated computer with a hard drive, install the Windows server role, create shared folders, map the network drives, and test the server. By following these steps, you can set up your own file server and share files with ease.