How To Open Sharepoint In Windows Explorer

SharePoint is a powerful collaboration platform that allows teams to store, organize, and share documents and information. But did you know that you can access SharePoint right from your Windows Explorer, making it even easier to navigate and manage your files? With just a few simple steps, you can open SharePoint in Windows Explorer and gain quick and convenient access to all your SharePoint files.

To open SharePoint in Windows Explorer, first open your preferred browser and navigate to your SharePoint site. Once there, click on the "Documents" tab, and then click on the "Library" button. From the drop-down menu, select "Open with Explorer." This will open a new Windows Explorer window, displaying all the files and folders within your SharePoint site. Now, you can easily drag and drop files, create new folders, and manage your SharePoint documents directly from your familiar Windows Explorer interface.

Understanding Sharepoint and Windows Explorer Integration

Sharepoint is a web-based collaboration platform developed by Microsoft that allows organizations to store, organize, share, and access information from any device with an internet connection. One of the powerful features of Sharepoint is its integration with Windows Explorer, which enables users to access Sharepoint libraries and files directly from the familiar Windows file explorer interface. This integration offers a seamless experience for users who are accustomed to managing files and folders in Windows Explorer, making it easier to navigate, upload, and download files within Sharepoint.

Step 1: Set Up Internet Explorer Security Settings

To begin opening Sharepoint in Windows Explorer, you need to ensure that your Internet Explorer security settings are properly configured. Sharepoint relies on certain ActiveX controls and security settings to establish a connection between Windows Explorer and Sharepoint. Follow these steps to check and adjust your security settings:

• Open Internet Explorer and click on the gear icon in the top-right corner of the window.
• Select "Internet Options" from the dropdown menu.
• Go to the "Security" tab within the Internet Options window.
• Click on the "Trusted sites" icon and then click the "Sites" button.
• Add the URL of your Sharepoint site to the list of trusted sites by typing it into the field labeled "Add this website to the zone".
• Click "Add" and then click "Close".
• Next, click on the "Custom level" button located under the "Security level for this zone" section.

Setting	Recommended Value
Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins	Enable (Prompt or Enable)
Script ActiveX controls marked as safe for scripting	Enable
Allow script-initiated windows without size or position constraints	Enable

After adjusting these settings, click "OK" to save the changes. This ensures that Internet Explorer allows the necessary ActiveX controls and permissions for Sharepoint integration with Windows Explorer.

Step 2: Add Your Sharepoint Site to Trusted Sites

In addition to adjusting the security settings, it is also important to add your Sharepoint site to the list of trusted sites in Internet Explorer. Here's how:

• Open Internet Explorer and navigate to your Sharepoint site.
• Click on the gear icon in the top-right corner and select "Internet Options".
• Go to the "Security" tab and click on the "Trusted sites" icon.
• Click the "Sites" button and add your Sharepoint site URL to the list of trusted sites.
• Click "Add" and then "Close".

By adding your Sharepoint site to the trusted sites list, you ensure that Internet Explorer recognizes it as a secure and trusted location, allowing for a smoother integration with Windows Explorer.

Step 3: Log in to Sharepoint Online

If you are using Sharepoint Online, which is part of Microsoft 365, you'll need to log in to your account before you can access Sharepoint in Windows Explorer. Follow these steps to log in:

• Launch Internet Explorer and navigate to your Sharepoint Online site.
• Click on the "Sign in" button in the top-right corner.
• Enter your Microsoft 365 credentials (email address and password) and click "Sign in".

Once you are successfully logged in, you can proceed to open Sharepoint in Windows Explorer.

Step 4: Open Sharepoint in Windows Explorer

Now that you have set up the necessary configurations and logged in to your Sharepoint account, it's time to open Sharepoint in Windows Explorer. Follow these steps:

• Open Internet Explorer and navigate to your Sharepoint site.
• Click on the "Documents" or "Site contents" link to access the Sharepoint library.
• On the library page, click on the "Library" tab at the top of the page.
• In the "Connect & Export" section, click on the "Open with Explorer" button.
• If prompted, click "Allow" to confirm the action.

A new Windows Explorer window will open, displaying the contents of your Sharepoint library. From here, you can navigate and work with the files just like you would in Windows Explorer, including dragging and dropping files, copying and pasting, and renaming files.

Accessing Sharepoint Libraries in Quick Access

If you frequently access a specific Sharepoint library, you can add it to your Windows Explorer Quick Access panel for easy and quick access. Here's how:

• Navigate to the Sharepoint library you want to add to Quick Access.
• Click on the "Library" tab at the top of the page.
• In the "Connect & Export" section, click on the "Open with Explorer" button.
• Once the library opens in Windows Explorer, right-click on "Quick Access" in the left sidebar.
• Select "Pin current folder to Quick Access" from the context menu.

The Sharepoint library will now appear in the Quick Access panel of Windows Explorer, allowing you to easily access it with just a single click.

Exploring Sharepoint Document Libraries in Windows Explorer

Another aspect of opening Sharepoint in Windows Explorer is exploring document libraries and their contents. Document libraries in Sharepoint serve as central repositories for storing and managing files and folders. Windows Explorer provides a familiar interface to navigate, organize, and collaborate on files within a document library.

Navigating Sharepoint Document Libraries in Windows Explorer

Once you have opened a Sharepoint document library in Windows Explorer, you can navigate through the files and folders in a manner similar to Windows Explorer. Here are some tips for efficiently navigating Sharepoint libraries:

• Use the expand and collapse arrows next to folders to reveal or hide their contents.
• Click on a folder name to access its contents.
• Use the address bar at the top of the Windows Explorer window to track your location within the Sharepoint library.
• Use the back and forward buttons to easily navigate between different folders within the library.

By employing these navigation techniques, you can quickly find the desired files and folders within a Sharepoint document library.

Sorting and Filtering Files

Windows Explorer allows you to sort and filter files within a Sharepoint document library based on various criteria. This can help you find specific files quickly. Here's how to sort and filter files:

• Click on the dropdown arrow next to the "Name" column header to sort the files alphabetically.
• Click on other column headers, such as "Modified" or "Type", to sort the files based on those attributes.
• To filter files, click on the "View" tab at the top of the Windows Explorer window.
• In the "Current View" section, click on the "Filter" button.
• You can then specify filter criteria, such as file type or author, to display only the files that meet the selected criteria.

Sorting and filtering files within a Sharepoint document library in Windows Explorer enables you to quickly narrow down and locate the files you need.

Uploading and Downloading Files in Sharepoint via Windows Explorer

Another advantage of opening Sharepoint in Windows Explorer is the ease of uploading and downloading files. You can utilize the familiar drag-and-drop functionality and file context menus to perform these actions. Here's how:

Uploading Files

To upload files to a Sharepoint document library via Windows Explorer, follow these steps:

• Navigate to the desired location within the document library where you want to upload the file.
• Open the folder or library where you want to upload the file.
• Drag and drop the file from your computer into the Windows Explorer window.
• Alternatively, you can right-click in the Windows Explorer window and select "New" to create a new file (such as Word document or Excel spreadsheet).

The file will be uploaded to the Sharepoint document library, and you can see it immediately in the Windows Explorer window.

Downloading Files

To download files from a Sharepoint document library via Windows Explorer, follow these steps:

• Navigate to the file you want to download in the Windows Explorer window.
• Right-click on the file and select "Save As".
• Choose the desired location on your local computer to save the file.
• Click "Save" to initiate the download.

The file will be downloaded from the Sharepoint document library to your specified local location.

Managing Files with Context Menus

Windows Explorer provides context menus for files within a Sharepoint document library. You can use these menus to perform various file management operations, such as renaming, deleting, copying, and moving files. To access the context menu, right-click on a file in the library. From there, you can choose the desired action to be performed on the file.

Collaborating on Sharepoint Files within Windows Explorer

One of the primary reasons organizations use Sharepoint is for collaboration purposes, and opening Sharepoint in Windows Explorer allows for seamless collaboration on files. You can share files with colleagues, manage permissions, and track file versions. Here are some collaboration features you can utilize:

Sharing Files

To share files from a Sharepoint document library via Windows Explorer, follow these steps:

• Navigate to the file you want to share in the Windows Explorer window.
• Right-click on the file and select "Share".
• In the sharing dialog box, enter the email addresses of the individuals you want to share the file with.
• You can also set specific permissions for each recipient, such as "can edit" or "can view".
• Click "Send" to share the file.

Sharepoint will send an email to the recipients with a link to access the shared file. They can then collaborate on the file directly from Sharepoint or open it in their own Windows Explorer.

Managing Permissions

Sharepoint allows you to manage permissions for files and folders within a document library to control who can view, edit, or delete them. Permissions can be set at the individual file level or inherited from the library level. To manage permissions via Windows Explorer, follow these steps:

• Right-click on a file or folder in the Sharepoint document library within Windows Explorer.
• Select "Properties" from the context menu.
• In the "Properties" dialog box, click on the "Security" tab.
• You can then add or remove users, groups, or Active Directory security groups and set their respective permissions.

Managing permissions ensures that only authorized individuals can access and perform actions on specific files or folders within a Sharepoint document library.

Versioning and Document History

Sharepoint offers version control and document history features to keep track of changes made to files over time. You can access these features within Windows Explorer as well. To view the version history of a file, follow these steps:

• Right-click on a file in the Sharepoint document library within Windows Explorer.
• Select "Version History" from the context menu.
• A new window will open, displaying a list of all previous versions of the file.
• You can view and compare different versions, restore previous versions, or delete outdated versions.

The version control and document history features in Sharepoint allow for efficient collaboration while keeping a record of changes made to files over time.

Step-by-step Guide on Opening Sharepoint in Windows Explorer

• Ensure your Sharepoint site is open in your web browser
• Click on the "Library" tab at the top of the page
• Under the "Library" tab, click on the "Open with Explorer" icon in the "Connect & Export" group
• A File Explorer window will open, displaying the contents of your Sharepoint library
• You can now navigate, view, and manage files in Sharepoint using the File Explorer interface

Please note that the "Open with Explorer" option is only available on Internet Explorer or in Windows Explorer. Other web browsers may not have this functionality. Additionally, your computer must be connected to the same network as your Sharepoint server for this feature to work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Opening SharePoint in Windows Explorer allows for easy access and management of files and folders. Here are some common questions related to this process:

1. How do I open SharePoint in Windows Explorer?

Opening SharePoint in Windows Explorer is a simple process. Follow these steps: First, open your web browser and navigate to your SharePoint site. Next, go to the document library or folder that you want to open in Windows Explorer. Once you are in the desired location, click on the "Library" tab in the toolbar at the top of the page. Then, click on the "Open with Explorer" button. This will open a new Windows Explorer window with the contents of the SharePoint site.

2. Why should I open SharePoint in Windows Explorer?

Opening SharePoint in Windows Explorer provides a familiar file management interface for users who are accustomed to navigating files and folders on their local computer. It allows for easily copying, moving, and managing files and folders within SharePoint, just like you would on your own computer. This can save time and increase productivity when working with a large number of files in a SharePoint document library.

3. Can I edit files when opening SharePoint in Windows Explorer?

Yes, you can edit files when opening SharePoint in Windows Explorer. Simply double-click on a file to open it in the default application associated with that file type on your computer. Make the necessary edits, save the file, and the changes will be reflected in SharePoint. However, it is important to note that some files may have restrictions on editing based on permissions set by the SharePoint site administrator.

4. Are there any limitations when opening SharePoint in Windows Explorer?

There are a few limitations when opening SharePoint in Windows Explorer. One limitation is that it requires Internet Explorer as the default browser. If you are using a different browser, you may need to switch to Internet Explorer to access this feature. Additionally, SharePoint in Windows Explorer is only available for classic sites and not for modern sites or communication sites. Lastly, the size and structure of the SharePoint site or document library may affect the performance of Windows Explorer when browsing and navigating the files and folders.

5. Can I add SharePoint sites to the Windows Explorer "Favorites" section?

Yes, you can add SharePoint sites to the Windows Explorer "Favorites" section for quick and easy access. Once you have opened a SharePoint site in Windows Explorer, navigate to the desired location within the site. Then, click on the "Favorites" button in the Windows Explorer toolbar and select "Add current location to Favorites." The SharePoint site will now appear in the "Favorites" section of Windows Explorer, allowing you to access it with just a click. Remember to keep in mind the limitations and requirements when opening SharePoint in Windows Explorer and enjoy the convenience and efficiency it brings to your file management tasks.

To recap, opening SharePoint in Windows Explorer can be done by following a few simple steps. First, open Internet Explorer and navigate to the SharePoint site you want to access. Then, click on the "Library" tab and select "Open with Explorer" from the ribbon menu. This will launch Windows Explorer and display the SharePoint site in a familiar file explorer interface. From there, you can easily navigate, upload, download, and manage files and folders in SharePoint, just like you would with any other file explorer window.

Opening SharePoint in Windows Explorer provides a more efficient and convenient way to work with files and folders in SharePoint. It allows you to easily drag and drop files, perform batch operations, and utilize the familiar file explorer features to organize and manage your SharePoint content. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can quickly access and work with your SharePoint files using Windows Explorer, saving time and improving your productivity.