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30 August 2023  Amanda J. Brook  Senior Product Manager
Last update by James Smith at 27 February 2024

Summary
Learn how to set up network shared folders in Windows 10 and ensure data accessibility for all LAN users. Discover the best methods to back up network shared files in this comprehensive article.



Table of contents

table iconI. About network shared folders
table iconII. How to backup network shared files in Windows 10?
backup network share

I. About network shared folders

1. What is a network shared folder? How to set it up?

Network shared folder is a function of Windows 10 that allows users to create and share folders with other computer users on the same local area network. To set up a shared folder, create a user account specifically for accessing the shared folder, share the account number and password with others, and then set up the shared folder.
① Click the (Start) menu in the lower left corner, and then click (Settings)-(Account)-(Family & other users)-(Add someone else to this PC).
add user to pc
② Double-click (User) to view all user information in the middle column, right-click on the blank area in the middle, select (New User), set the user name and password, and choose options like (User cannot change password) and (Password Never expires). You can also check (Account is disabled) to disable the account later. Share the account and password with other users to access the shared folder.
User Accounts in Windows 10
③ Create a new folder, right-click, select Properties, go to Sharing tab, click Sharing button, select user to share with in Network Access window, choose newly created account, click Share button. Store shared files in folder.
choose people to share with folderchoose people to share with folder
④ When others need to access the shared folder, they can enter the network credentials by using the previously set account and password, then click (OK) to access.
access shared folder in windows

2. How to view the location of network shared files

To view the location of network shared files, right-click on This Computer and navigate to Computer Management-System Tools-Shared Folder-Shared to see the name and file path of the shared folder.
shared folder windows 10

II. How to backup network shared files in Windows 10?

To back up network shared files on this computer, determine the folder path and use backup tools. For files shared by other computers, enter username and password to access and save them on your computer. Two practical backup methods.

1. Use Renee Becca to backup network shared files

Renee Becca, a tool for system/hard disk data backup and restoration. It backs up and restores important data like programs, system configuration, emails, photos, videos, documents, bookmarks, etc. Uses incremental/differential backup technology to save time and disk space. It supports partition backup, hard disk backup, file backup, and disk cloning to meet your needs.
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Highly compatible Supports various files and storage devices.

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Step 1: Download, install, and run Renee Becca on the computer. Select the (File Backup) option in the main interface.
click to back up files in renee becca
Step 2: Next, select the shared folder to be backed up in (Source), and select the folder where the backup data will be stored in (Destination).
how to back up files in renee becca
In addition, in (Scheduler), you can make a daily/weekly/monthly automatic backup plan and click (OK) to enable the automatic backup.
file backup schedule on Renee Becca
In (Backup Scheme)-(Scheme Type), you can choose from 5 backup schemes in Renee Becca: version chain mode, single version mode, full mode, incremental mode, and differential mode.
backup mode of file backup on Renee Becca
Renee Becca offers 5 backup plans: Version chain mode: Only the latest 5 versions are kept, and useless old versions are automatically deleted after the backup is complete. Single version mode: Only the most recent version is kept, and the previous version is automatically deleted after the backup is complete. Full mode: Create a full backup. Incremental mode: After the initial full backup, only incremental backups are created. Differential mode: After the initial full backup, only differential backups are created. You can view the difference between incremental backup and differential backup.
Step 3: Click the (Backup) button to execute the backup file command based on your settings. Monitor the progress of all backup tasks on the taskbar. Click the (Recovery) button to restore files to the specified hard disk when needed after the backup is complete.
recover backup files from renee becca
Step 4: Then select the location where the files are to be restored, and click the (Recovery) button.
files recovery location

2. Use the system's built-in backup function to back up network shared files

The file history of Windows 10 can automatically back up the set folders. The specific steps are as follows:
Step 1: Run the Windows 10 computer, click (Start)-(Settings) in the lower left corner.
Step 2: Next, go to the (Update & Security) option.
settings Update And Security
Step 3: Select Backup in the left function column, enable the (Automatically back up my files) function on the right, click More options, and wait patiently without clicking other buttons to avoid program interruption.
Note: Some Windows 10 versions display an “Add Drive” option in the backup settings. It is recommended to back up files to an external hard drive to prevent data loss from system or hard drive failure.
Automatically backup my files
Step 4: In the backup options interface, select the time interval and time period for backing up files. For example, choose to back up files every 3 hours and keep the backup files of the latest month. This will automatically delete backup files from 1 month ago to save hard disk space. In the “Backup these folders” section, add network shared folders that need to be backed up by clicking (Add a folder). Wait for the network shared folders to appear in the list.
Windows backup options
Step 5: If you need to restore files, you can enter (file history) in the search bar and click (Restore your files through file history).
Restore your files through file history
Step 6: View backup files of different dates through control buttons. Select files/folders to be backed up, then click the restore button to restore to original location.
Restore your files through file history