How to share and access files on your local network drive through the Archer C8, C9, C5 V2 router
This Article Applies to:
The File sharing feature allows you to share a USB storage device that’s connected to the router, (USB Drive or mobile Hard Disk Drive) to other wired or wireless users on the same network.
Step 1
Plug a USB Storage device into the USB port,make sure the USB light lit up on the router.
![](https://static.tp-link.com/resources/UploadFiles/Images/How_to_setup_and_provide_access_to_your_local_storage_drive_with_the_Archer_C8image002.jpg)
![](https://static.tp-link.com/resources/UploadFiles/Images/How_to_setup_and_provide_access_to_your_local_storage_drive_with_the_Archer_C8image004.jpg)
![](https://static.tp-link.com/resources/UploadFiles/Images/How_to_setup_and_provide_access_to_your_local_storage_drive_with_the_Archer_C8image006.jpg)
Step 2
Access the web interface of Archer C8 as an example.
Please click here to access the web interface.
Step 3
Click Advanced on the top, then click USB Settings -> Device Settings on the left side menu. Check whether the USB device is identified by Archer C8.If there is no device listed on this page, please click Scan and you may try unplug the USB device and plug it back in.
![](https://static.tp-link.com/resources/UploadFiles/Images/How_to_setup_and_provide_access_to_your_local_storage_drive_with_the_Archer_C8image008.jpg)
If the USB device is identified, the Storage Sharing function will be Enabled by default, and it is set to share the whole device by default.
![](https://static.tp-link.com/resources/UploadFiles/Images/How_to_setup_and_provide_access_to_your_local_storage_drive_with_the_Archer_C8image010.jpg)
Step 4
Go to Advanced->USB Settings->File Sharing->Here you can create a separate login account for the USB device or Use Login Account to use the same account as the router’s management page login account->Save
![](https://static.tp-link.com/resources/UploadFiles/Images/How_to_setup_and_provide_access_to_your_local_storage_drive_with_the_Archer_C8image012.jpg)
Step 5
If you want to share the whole USB device, select Share All ->Save
If you want to customize the shared content, select Share Selected Folders->Create Share Folder
![](https://static.tp-link.com/resources/UploadFiles/Images/How_to_setup_and_provide_access_to_your_local_storage_drive_with_the_Archer_C8image014.jpg)
Set up the folders one by one on this page->Save
![](https://static.tp-link.com/resources/UploadFiles/Images/How_to_setup_and_provide_access_to_your_local_storage_drive_with_the_Archer_C8image016.jpg)
![](https://static.tp-link.com/resources/UploadFiles/Images/How_to_setup_and_provide_access_to_your_local_storage_drive_with_the_Archer_C8image018.jpg)
Below are explanations for the options:
Volume Name - From the pull-down list, select which volume to save the file under.
Share Name - Name of the shared folder, customized by users.
Allow Guest Network Access - Select the check box to allow the Guest Network to have access to the shared folder.
Enable Authentication - Select the check box to require users to log in with a username and password.
Enable Write Access - Select the check box to allow users to make changes to the folder content.
Enable Media Sharing - Enable media server function, you may click here to get more info.
Step 6
Access the USB Storage
For Windows Users:
Press Windows key
![]() Input \\tplinklogin.net or \\192.168.0.1in the dialog box.
Click OK
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For Mac OS X Users:
On the top tray, go to Go > Connect to Server
Input Server Address smb://tplinklogin.net or smb://192.168.0.1
Click Connect
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For Linux Users:
On the top tray, go to Places > Connect toServer
Choose Service type: Windows share
Input Server tplinklogin.net or 192.168.0.1
Input the corresponding Folder name e.g. Volume9
Click Connect
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Note:
Some USB storage devices may require using the bundled external power.
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