How to share a folder with all users on Windows 10
A single Windows 10 installation can accommodate multiple users. If you have enough storage space, you can create as many different users as you need.
Every account created on Windows 10 has its own libraries, its own personal desktop, and desktop and user settings. Files that a user saves to its own libraries cannot be accessed by other users.
Share a folder with all users on Windows 10
Files that are saved to the desktop, or to a user’s libraries cannot be accessed by other users and that keeps them private but, it also prevents file sharing between users.
If you need to share a file or a folder with all users configured on the system, there are two simple ways to do it.
1. Use a different local drive
A hard drive or an SSD can be split into different drives or partitions. Users’ folders are created on the Windows drive and you won’t be able to access them but other drives on the system can be accessed easily by all users.
- Open File Explorer.
- Go to This PC.
- Select a drive other than the Windows drive.
- Create a new folder and place files in it, or place files at the root.
- The files and folders will be accessible by everyone.
2. Use the public desktop
Windows 10 has a desktop folder for all users but, it also has a public desktop folder. This public desktop is where icons of apps that have been installed system-wide generally go. It’s why, when a new app is installed, all users see an icon for it on their desktop.
The public desktop is accessible by all users which means you can save files and folders to it and they will be accessible by everyone.
- Open File Explorer.
- Navigate to the following location.
C:\Users\Public\Desktop
- Create a folder here or save files here.
- The files or folder will be accessible by all users.
Note: If a file won’t open, you may need to change the file’s permissions and grant a user permission to open it.
Conclusion
Sharing files with multiple users and giving them access to open files are two separate things. When you share a file, a user is able to see it. They will likely be able to copy and delete it but as far as opening a file goes, you may need to grant additional permissions. This may not be a problem if you choose to save a file to a different local drive.
