Access Android Files on Windows PC
To access Android files and folders on Windows PC over WiFi, we are going to use the popular file manager ES File Explorer. To start off, install ES File Explorer if you haven’t already. Launch it, swipe from the left side of the screen and then select the option “Remote Manager” from the main menu.
Once the Remote Manager window has been opened, we need to configure it. Just tap on the Settings icon to continue.
The above action will open the Remote Manager settings window. As you can see from the below image, ES Explorer already set the default port and the current user to “Anonymous.”
I would recommend you add a username and password so that other users on LAN cannot access it without authorization. To do that, tap on the option “Set Manage Account,” enter the username and password and touch the “OK” button to continue.
If you want to you can also change the “Current Port” so that it is easy to remember when adding it to other systems. Make sure that the port number is between 1025 – 65534.
Also, if you want to change the root directory, tap on the option “Set root directory” and select your default root directory. In my case, I’m selecting my external SD card as my root directory. If you want to access both internal and external storage, then select “/.”
Once you are done, this is what it looks like in the Remote Manager settings screen.
Now, head over to the main screen, and tap on the “Turn On” button. This will activate the FTP server. Also, ES Explorer displays the FTP address that we will be needing.
On Windows open the File Explorer and select the option “Map Network Drive” from the “Computer” tab.
In the “Map Network Drive” window, click on the link “Connect to a Web site…”
The above action will open the “Network Location Wizard.” Here, click on the “Next” button to continue.
Now, double-click on “Choose a custom network location.”
Here in this window, enter the FTP address along with the port number as shown in the ES Explorer screen, and click on the “Next” button.
Uncheck the “Log in anonymously” checkbox, enter the username that you used in ES Explorer and click on the “Next” button to continue.
Name your network share. You can always change it later.
Just click on the “Finish” button to complete the procedure.
Since we mapped the network share, it will appear in the Windows File Explorer under Network Locations. Just double-click on it to open.
Since this is the first time, Windows will ask for your FTP password. Just enter the password and click on the “Log On” button. If you log in frequently, select the option “Save Password.”
As soon as you click on the Log On button, you will be logged in and can access all your files and folders directly from Windows File Explorer over WiFi.
When you are done woking with files and folders on your Android device, turn off the Remote Manager. Quick tip: By navigating to Remote Manager settings and tapping on the option “Create Shortcut,” ES Explorer will create a quick shortcut icon on your home screen which can be used to quickly launch the FTP server. This eliminates the need to launch ES Explore each and every time you want to turn on Remote Manager.
If you are not using ES Explorer and want the same solution, then there are several other dedicated FTP Server apps (no longer available) you can try. Do comment below sharing your thoughts and experiences about using the above method to access Android files and folders directly from Windows File Explorer over WiFi.
