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File Sharing - Microsoft Windows

Updated

BLS-KB14-601

BluOS Players can access music files stored on a Windows computer via the following options:

  • Network File Sharing - BluOS Players access music files stored on a Windows computer using SMB File sharing.
  • Local File Sharing - Music tracks stored on a local Windows computer (internal storage or attached USB drive) can be shared using the BluOS Controller App installed on the same Windows device.

Network File Sharing (Windows)

Music files stored on a Windows computer (Windows 11 or previous versions) can be accessed by BluOS Players using SMB File sharing. By default, file sharing in Windows is not enabled.

The following process is designed for a home installation of Windows. Windows business computers that work in a Windows Enterprise Domain may have group policies enforced to prevent or alter file-sharing utilities.

To set up file sharing with a Windows computer, perform the following procedures:
(Note: Refer to the .pdf file for step-by-step screenshots of the following procedure).

Verify Network Environment Settings (Windows 11)

  1. On your Windows computer, right-click the Start button and select Settings.
  2. Select Network & Internet in the sidebar.
  3. Select the connected network (if wireless, choose WiFi; if wired, choose Ethernet).
  4. Select network name properties (wireless) or Properties (Ethernet)
  5. Select Private network to enable network discovery options.
  6. Select Network & Internet in the sidebar.
  7. Select Advanced network settings on the right side. (You may need to scroll down.)
  8. Under More settings, select Advanced sharing settings.
  9. Select All networks.
  10. Toggle Password protected sharing to Off.

Set up File Sharing (Windows 11)

  1. On your Windows computer, open the File Explorer app.
  2. Right-click the Music folder (or any folder containing the required music) and select Properties.
    Note: Additional steps are required when you share iTunes or Apple Music Folder with playlists. Refer to our Help Center article (iTunes / Apple Music).
  3. Select the Sharing tab and click Advanced Sharing.
  4. Select Share this folder checkbox and click OK.
  5. Make a note of the Network Path. (You will need it later)
  6. Click Share.
  7. Enter Guest and click Add.
  8. Click Share.
  9. When the Your folder is shared message is displayed, click Done.

Note: Before proceeding, please wait about 5-10 minutes for your Windows computer to reflect the changes across the network.

Share your Music Library (BluOS Controller App)

  1. On the BluOS Controller App, select the Player Drawer and select any Player.
    (Note: If you have a wired Player, select that one over a wireless Player, as it will have a faster response time.)
  2. On the left Navigation Drawer, select Settings.
  3. Under MUSIC LIBRARY, select Network shares.
  4. Select Add shares.
  5. Enter the share name in the following format: 
    \\Network Path name\Folder
    Network Path name\Folder – Identified in Step 4 of Set up File Sharing (Windows).
  6. Enter the User name and Password (if required) and select Add share.
    When you receive the Share added message, the Player connects to Windows share and begins indexing.
  7. Select the left arrow in the upper-left corner to navigate to previous screens.
    You can monitor the Indexing progress from the Reindex music collection section.
    (Note: The Player also indicates the indexing via Status Indicator LED or front panel messaging.)
  8. You can find the recently added share files under Navigation Drawer > Library.

Reindex

Whenever you add or remove music files from the Windows file share, perform Reindex Music Collection to update the Library in the BluOS Controller App.

Local File Sharing (Windows)

Music tracks stored on a local Windows computer (internal storage or attached USB drive) can be shared using the BluOS Controller App installed on the same Windows device.

To listen to local shares on the BluOS Player, perform the following steps:

  1. Launch the BluOS Controller App on the Windows computer.
  2. Select any Player from the Player Drawer.
  3. Under the Navigation Drawer, select Settings > Music library > Local Shares.
  4. Click Add Folder.
  5. Click Browse and choose the music folder you require to add; click Select.
  6. Click Next.
  7. Click Authenticate.
    (Select Yes when prompted - Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?)
  8. If authentication is required, enter the password and click OK.
  9. Click Finish. The Player connects to the local Windows share and begins indexing.
    (Note: To monitor indexing progress, select the Navigation Drawer > Settings > Music library.)
  10. Select + to add additional music folders or X to exit the wizard.
  11. You can find the recently added music files under Navigation Drawer > Library.

When creating a Local Share in Windows, BluOS creates a standard user account named BluOS User with the password bluesound (all lowercase - no special characters). Deleting this user account breaks file sharing on the local Windows. To avoid this account creation or if the work computer (security permissions) does not allow BluOS to create a BluOS user account, share the music folder using Network File Sharing (Windows).

Note: To connect files stored on a Network Accessible Storage (NAS) device, please refer to the NAS Manufacturer's documentation and enable public Windows File Sharing.

Pro-Tips

  • Share System folder (temporarily)

    If you encounter issues when connecting a share that is a sub-folder (New Songs or My Songs) of a system folder (Music or Downloads), try sharing the system folder (Music or Downloads) with identical permissions of the sub-folder (New Songs or My Songs). 

    \\Computername\Music\My Songs

    \\ Computername\Downloads\New Songs

    Once the BluOS establishes a connection and indexes the local Library, stop sharing the system folder (Music or Downloads) as a personal security preference. Refer to our Help Center article for more information.

  • Security permissions
    When you establish the file-sharing setup and the songs/tracks do not appear in the Library, check if the folders have the wrong security permissions. Refer to our Help Center article for more information.
  • Security software
    If the shares cannot be discovered or fail to connect, check if any third-party security software interferes with the network setup. Refer to the third-party security software manual for troubleshooting steps.

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