By Ellie / Last Updated April 18, 2023

How do I remote into File Explorer?

“I'm trying to locally mount a machine’s C drive that is on my LAN. I need to be able to browse the contents of the C drive of the other machine. Can anyone tell me how to show remote computer files on File Explorer?

-Question from Reddit”

Three methods to access File Explorer on remote computer

Here in this part, we’ll introduce three ways to access File Explorer on remote computer from the local computer, via PowerShell, Remote Desktop Connection, or third-party remote desktop software.

Method 1. Access File Explorer via PowerShell

You can open file explorer on remote computer via PowerShell. Let’s see how to do this.

Step 1. Right-click Start, and then choose Windows PowerShell (Admin).

Windows PowerShell Admin

Step 2. If you’re trying to mount a C drive, enter the following command line:

\\servername\c$

Note: Please replace “servername” with the real name of the computer that you want to access.

File Explorer PowerShell

Important: Note that you need to be an Administrator on the local machine, as the share permissions are locked down.

Method 2. Access File Explorer via Remote Desktop

 Step 1. On the host computer, navigate here: Start > Settings > System > Remote Desktop, and turn on Enable Remote Desktop.

Enable

Step 2. Find User accounts and click Select users that can remotely access this PC.

Find User Account

Step 3. After opening the Remote Desktop Users window, click Add to add users who are allowed to access this computer (you need to add already existing users to realize remote desktop).

Add Allowed Access Users

Step 4. On the client computer, search for Remote Desktop Connection in the Search box. And then open it.

Remote Desktop Connection

Step 5. On the main interface of Remote Desktop Connection, switch from the General tab to the Local Resources tab, and in the Local Devices and Resources column, click More.

Local Resources More

Step 6. On the Local Devices and Resources interface, check the Drives and click OK.

Check Drives

Step 7. Go back to the General tab. Enter the IP address and user name in the Remote Desktop Connection interface to achieve connection.

General Tab

Step 8. After the connection is successful, click This Computer on the host computer desktop, and find the previously checked disk. You are now able to access it and even transfer files.

Turn on This Computer

Method 3. Access File Explorer via third-party remote desktop software AnyViewer

Another option for you is to use the free and stable third-party remote desktop software AnyViewer to access another computer and then access its File Explorer remotely.

Download Freeware Win 11/10/8.1/8/7
Secure Download

Step 1. Download, install, and launch AnyViewer on both computers.

Download AnyViewer

Step 2. Go to Log in, and then click Sign up. (If you already have signed up on its official website, you can log in directly.)

Log in AnyViewer

Step 3. Fill in the signup information.

Sign Up for AnyViewer

Step 4. Then you can see you successfully logged in to AnyViewer. Your device will automatically be assigned to the account you've logged in to.

Free Editions

Step 5. Log in to the same AnyViewer account on the two devices, then click One-click control to achieve unattended remote access.

Connect to My Devices

Note: If you want to assign more devices to achieve unattended remote access, then you can upgrade your account to a Professional or Enterprise plan. Also, you can connect to another computer in privacy mode, which means you can black the screen and block the mouse and keyboard of the remote computer.

Step 6. Now you have full control of the host computer. Right-click Start and then choose File Explorer; then you can open it on the host computer from the client computer.

AnyViewer File Explorer

Conclusion

If you don’t know how to access File Explorer on a remote computer, this post introduces three methods to you. Firstly, you can use PowerShell. Secondly, you can use the Windows built-in Remote Desktop Connection, and finally, you can use the free and stable third-party remote desktop software AnyViewer.

As you can see from the operating steps, the way to access File Explorer on remote computer via AnyViewer is quite easy and convenient. Therefore, if you’re trying to find an easy way to do this, it is recommended to use AnyViewer.