Access a Windows Shared Folder from Linux With SMB

Last updated: 11 October 2026

Linux can access a Windows shared folder over SMB. You do not need to convert the drive’s filesystem or give everyone full control. Prepare an authenticated Windows share, test it in the Linux file manager, and use a CIFS mount only if you need a persistent filesystem path.

Prepare the Windows computer

1. Connect both computers to a trusted local network. On Windows 11, use the appropriate Private network profile.
2. Open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings, and review network discovery and file/printer sharing for that trusted profile.
3. In File Explorer, open the folder’s Properties and its Sharing controls. Configure the share name and the specific account that needs access.
4. Check both share permissions and the folder’s Security/NTFS permissions. The resulting access depends on both.

Start with read access if you only need to copy files from Windows. Keep password-protected access and allow sharing through the correct firewall profile. Microsoft’s network-sharing instructions cover the Windows side. Avoid exposing SMB to the public internet.

Try the Linux file manager first

In a file manager that supports network locations, enter a path such as:

smb://192.168.1.20/SharedFiles

Replace the example address and share name with the Windows computer’s actual values. Enter an account that has permission to that share. A Windows Hello PIN unlocks a particular device; it is not generally the remote account password. Organization/domain accounts can need a domain or other account-name format.

Mount through the terminal when needed

On Ubuntu or Debian, install the appropriate client utilities from the distribution repository, then create a mount point:

sudo apt install cifs-utils
sudo mkdir -p /mnt/windows-share
sudo mount -t cifs //192.168.1.20/SharedFiles /mnt/windows-share -o username=youruser,ro

Replace the address, share and username. Enter the password at the prompt rather than placing it in the command history. This example mounts read-only. The mount.cifs manual explains supported options and protocol negotiation. Use compatible modern SMB; enabling SMB1 or guest access is not the starting fix for a login error.

When finished, unmount before disconnecting:

sudo umount /mnt/windows-share

Match the error to the next check

Symptom	Check first
Computer not found	Correct address, awake host, network path and name resolution
Share not found	The published share name, rather than the local folder path
Permission denied	Account/password, share permissions and NTFS permissions
Read works, write fails	Read-only mount or missing write permissions
Internet works but local access fails	Guest-network or AP-isolation policy

Our network-drive troubleshooting guide covers server/share checks, and AP isolation explains local blocking. For repeat unattended mounting, use the distribution’s documented credential-file method with restricted permissions rather than putting a plaintext password directly in a broadly readable configuration.