---
description: Share files within your home network
---

# Create Local Network

If you have two or more computers at home or in the office, you may want to combine them into the shared local network to directly share files via the file manager.

One of the methods to do that is to install and configure **Samba**—a server app—on all computers you want to enable in the network. A (Wi-Fi) router is also required, and it doesn't matter if computers are connected to the router via Ethernet port or Wi-Fi.

The following manual assumes all your computers have elementary OS installed. Almost all work is done via Terminal.

<mark style="background-color:red;">The guides below need to be tested and confirmed.</mark>

## Share a Computer in the Local Network

1. Install Samba on a shared computer by running:

```
sudo apt install samba
```

2. Open `/etc/samba/smb.conf` [as admin](open-as-admin).
3. Uncomment (delete semicolon at the beginning of the lines) the following section to share the entire `/home` directory with a certain user.

```
[homes]
    comment = Home Directories
    browseable = yes
    read only = no
    create mask = 0700
    directory mask = 0700
    valid users = <allowed-user-name>
```

4. If you want to only share a specified directory, add the path to this section. For example:

```
[homes]
    comment = Home Directories
    browseable = yes
    read only = no
    create mask = 0700
    directory mask = 0700
    valid users = <allowed-user-name>
    path = /home/<your-name>/<directory-name>
```

5. Add the user to Samba (independent of system users):

```
sudo smbpasswd -a <allowed-user-name>
```

6. Create and enter the password you want for the user:

```
sudo smbpasswd -a home
```

7. Confirm the password when asked.

{% hint style="warning" %}
MIND that you will not see any symbols (even asterisks) when typing password!
{% endhint %}

8. Restart Samba (the system would start Samba automatically on startup):

```
sudo service smbd restart
```

{% hint style="info" %}
You can share different directories for different users by creating individual sections with individual permissions for each of them.
{% endhint %}

## Enter the Shared Directory from Another Computer

1. Open Files.
2. In the left panel, click **Entire Network**.
3. Select a network (a shared computer) from the list.
4. Enter the **Username** and **Password** [created](#share-a-computer-in-the-local-network).

<mark style="background-color:red;">NEED a SCREENSHOT of FILES</mark>
