Share Files on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS with SMB (Windows, Mac & Linux)
In this video, I walk you through how to set up SMB file sharing on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, so you can access your folders from any device on your local network — including Windows, macOS, and Linux systems.
I cover:
Installing and configuring Samba on Ubuntu
Creating and sharing a folder
Setting proper permissions
Accessing the SMB share from other devices on your network
Common issues and how to fix them
This is perfect if you’re setting up a home server, media server, NAS, or lab environment, or just want easy file sharing between computers.
💻 Tested on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS
🌐 Works across your local network
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️CODE ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
1️⃣ Install Samba (if not already installed)
Open Terminal on the Ubuntu machine:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install samba
2️⃣ Create (or confirm) a Linux user for sharing
Samba users must be real Linux users.
Check your username:
whoami
If you want to use that same user, great.
Otherwise create one:
sudo adduser smbuser
3️⃣ Set a Samba password (VERY IMPORTANT)
This is separate from your Linux password.
sudo smbpasswd -a YOUR_USERNAME
sudo smbpasswd -e YOUR_USERNAME
Example:
sudo smbpasswd -a ghost57
sudo smbpasswd -e ghost57
4️⃣ Create the folder you want to share
Example:
mkdir -p /home/ghost57/test
Set permissions:
chmod 775 /home/ghost57/test
chown ghost57:ghost57 /home/ghost57/test
5️⃣ Edit the Samba config
Open the config file:
sudo nano /etc/samba/smb.conf
Scroll to the very bottom and add:
[test]
path = /home/ghost57/test
browseable = yes
read only = no
writable = yes
valid users = ghost57
create mask = 0664
directory mask = 0775
👉 Replace ghost57 and the path if needed.
Save and exit:
CTRL + O
Enter
CTRL + X
6️⃣ Restart Samba services
sudo systemctl restart smbd nmbd
sudo systemctl enable smbd nmbd
Check status:
systemctl status smbd
You should see active (running) ✅
7️⃣ Allow Samba through the firewall (COMMON ISSUE)
Ubuntu often blocks SMB by default.
sudo ufw allow samba
sudo ufw reload
Verify:
sudo ufw status
8️⃣ Find your Ubuntu IP address
ip a
Look for something like:
inet 192.168.1.50
That’s the address you’ll connect to.
9️⃣ Connect from your other computer
🪟 Windows
In File Explorer address bar:
\\192.168.1.50\test
Login:
Username: ghost57
Password: Samba password
If this helped you out, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Linux, server, and tech tutorials.
#Ubuntu #SMB #Samba #LinuxServer #FileSharing #HomeLab #Ubuntu2404 #TechTutorial