What are Public folders in User folder in Windows 11

Have you ever wondered what Public folders are in the User folder in Windows 11/10 and how they can help you share files effortlessly between different user accounts on the same computer? Read this post to find out.

Public folders are shared directories meant for collaboration among multiple users on the same computer or network within the Windows environment. While they are designed to be universally accessible without manual permission settings, Windows allows you to control access to the Public folder depending on your security needs.

What are Public folders in User folder in Windows 11

In the following sections, we will explore what Public folders are in the User folder, their purpose, and how they work in Windows 11/10.

About Public folders in User folder

Public folders are shared storage spaces that contain several subfolders, each intended for specific types of files that can be shared among users on the same computer or network.

Public folders are placed under the Users folder at the root of the hard drive (the topmost directory) where Windows is installed. Typically, this location is:

C:\Users\Public

However, if Windows is installed on a different drive (for example, D:), the path would reflect that drive, such as:

D:\Users\Public

Main contents of the Public folder

The main contents of the Public folder in Users folder are:

Public Documents: for sharing documents, such as text files, PDFs, and spreadsheets.
Public Downloads: for sharing files that have been downloaded and can be accessed by all users.
Public Music: to store and share music files like MP3s or other audio formats.
Public Pictures: for sharing image files, such as photos or graphics.
Public Videos: for storing and sharing video files.
Public Desktop: any items placed here will appear on the desktops of all users on the computer.
Public Account Pictures: contains the default user account pictures that are available for all users to choose from.

Accessing the Public folder

You can use several methods to access the Public folder on your Windows 11 PC.

1] Use File Explorer: Press Win + E on your keyboard or click the File Explorer icon on the taskbar. In the left pane of File Explorer, click on This PC to expand the directory view. Double-click Local Disk (C:) or the drive where Windows is installed. Double-click the Users folder. Inside the Users folder, you will find the Public folder. Double-click the Public folder to access its contents.

2] Use the Run dialogue: Press Win + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog. Type C:\Users\Public into the Run dialog and press Enter. This will open the Public folder directly in File Explorer.

3] Use the Start menu: Click on the Start button or press the Windows key on your keyboard. Type ‘public’ into the search box. You should see the Public folder listed in the search results. Click on the folder to open it on your Windows PC.

Accessing another Public folder on your Network

To access a Public folder on another computer within your network, open File Explorer and click on Network in the left pane. Enable network discovery if prompted.

In the right pane, double-click the name of the computer that has the Public folder you want to use. Locate and double-click on the Users folder, and then open the Public folder to access its content.

Note: If password-protected sharing is enabled, you may need to enter a username and password for the host computer to access its Public folder.

Manage Network Access to Public folder

You may grant or restrict access to the Public folder for any device on a shared network. This can be done through Windows network sharing settings.

Under Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings, you can choose to turn on or off sharing for the Public folder. Turning on sharing allows anyone on the network to access it, while turning it off (which is also the default setting) restricts access to only local users.

Additionally, you can manage password-protected sharing within the same settings. Turning it on requires a username and password to access the folder while turning it off allows network users to access it without credentials.

I hope you find this useful.

Read: Share or Transfer files between User Accounts in Windows.

Why is there a Public folder in my Users folder?

In Windows, the Users folder contains profiles for all the users of the system. Since the Public folder is intended to be accessible to everyone, it’s placed alongside the individual user profiles, making it a central shared resource. This also aligns with Windows’ organizational structure, where user-related files are grouped together.

Can I delete the Public user folder in Windows 11?

While it’s technically possible to delete the Public folder in Windows 11, doing so is not recommended since it is a system-managed folder, and removing it could cause issues with file sharing or system functionality. If you do not want to use the Public folder, you may hide it using a file attribute or disable Public folder sharing to prevent other users or devices on your network from accessing it.