How to set up a network share folder with multiple names on Windows 11, 10

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  • To add multiple share names to the same folder on Windows 11 (or 10), open the shared folder

    “Properties”

    settings, click

    “Advanced Sharing,”

    configure share permission for the original folder name, click

    “Add,”

    confirm the new name for share, continue configuring permissions, and apply the settings.

On

Windows 11

and 10, you can

share files on your computer

or server with network users. Although it is possible to share the same data with different permissions for different users, you can also share the same folder with multiple names and custom settings.

This option will come in handy in many situations. For instance, if you have a leading accountant who needs to view and modify documents, and then you have two interns who only need to view the documents. In this case, you can share the same folder as “AccountingManager” and “AccountingInterns” with different permissions, network paths, and settings.

In addition, the ability to add and remove share names allows you to change the name of the share without having to modify the local folder in any way.

In this

guide

, I will outline the steps to share a folder in the network with multiple names and different permissions on

Windows 10

as well as on Windows 11.

Create a network share with multiple names and permissions

To share the same folder with different names and permissions on Windows 10, use these steps:

Open

File Explorer

on Windows.

Open the folder you want to share.

Right-click the folder and select the

Properties

option.

Click the

Sharing

tab.

Click the

Advanced Sharing

button.

Folder sharing settings

Check the

“Share this folder”

option.

Confirm a name share name under the “Settings” section.

Windows advanced sharing for folders

Click the

Permissions

button.

Select the

Everyone

object.

Click the

Remove

button.

Windows folder permissions

Click the

Add

button.

Confirm the name of the user or group that you intend to share the folder.

Select users or groups

Click the

OK

button.

Select the recently added user or group.

Select the permissions for the user or group you selected.

Windows set folder share permissions

Click the

Apply

button.

Click the

OK

button.

Click the

Apply

button (important).

Folder advanced settings applied

Click the

Add

button to share the same folder with a different name and permissions under the “Settings” section.

Add multiple names to the same shared folder

Confirm a new name for the shared folder.

Create new share with the same folder but different name

Click the

Permissions

button.

Select the

Everyone

object.

Click the

Remove

button.

Windows folder permissions

Click the

Add

button.

Confirm the name of the user or group that you intend to share the folder.

Select users or groups

Click the

OK

button.

Select the recently added user or group.

Select the permissions for the user or group you selected.

Click the

Apply

button.

Click the

OK

button.

Click the

OK

button again.

Click the

Apply

button again.

Click the

OK

button again.

Click the

Close

button.

Once you complete the steps, you will end up with one shared folder that will appear as separate folders (

//10.1.2.10/MyShare

and

//10.1.2.10/SecondShareName

) with different permissions.

This guide shares a folder with two names, but you can add more names and permissions. Also, this guide focuses on Windows 11 and 10, but you can use these instructions on Windows 8.1 and Windows 7.


Update July 19, 2024:

This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.

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