Question Win 11 and Linux PCs on the same Wireless LAN?

[olds]

<--- Not a Network kinda guy.

I have 2 PCs. Win 11 and Win 10. I can't upgrade the 10 PC to 11 so I am thinking of going to Linux on it. I use it for a HTPC and to watch non pay, YouTube videos. I use Jellyfin to stream to different TVs. (I do believe that limits the Linux flavor to Debian and Ubuntu). But, I am wondering if I can set up a wireless LAN and drag and drop between the 2 PCs? TIA

 

[ch33zw1z]

Short answer: yes

Network: wireless or wired, both will work. Setting up either will be best done with a standard router, and if you already have one then great.

Sharing: on windows, youll want to make sure network sharing is enabled, and you share the drive or folders, ensuring appropriate permissions for users

Linux, ensure samba sharing enabled, same thing on users and permissions.

Probably want to google how to set it up and how to access the shares for each system

 

[JackMDS]

For your Purpose Win 10 would be OK too.

 

[Quintessa]

But, I am wondering if I can set up a wireless LAN

Yup, you absolutely can. Here's how it plays out:

I can't upgrade the 10 PC to 11 so I am thinking of going to Linux on it.

Both can live happily on the same Wi-Fi LAN, no special config needed beyond connecting to the same SSID. For file sharing, set up Samba (SMB) on the Linux side. Windows will see it like another network folder.

drag and drop between the 2 PCs?

Not literally drag-and-drop across desktops unless you're using remote desktop or shared clipboard. But:
- From File Explorer (Win) to Linux share: Yes.
- From Linux (Nautilus or Dolphin) to Windows share: Also yes, just mount the Windows shared folder.

...YouTube videos. I use Jellyfin to stream to different TVs. (I do believe that limits the Linux flavor to Debian and Ubuntu).

Linux (Ubuntu or Debian) is perfect for that use case. Jellyfin runs great on both, and Firefox/Chromium handles YouTube without issues.

Extra tip: Enable "network discovery" on Windows and install avahi-daemon + samba on Linux for best interop.

Once Samba is set up, file sharing between both becomes seamless, even over Wi-Fi.

 

[Indus]

Trying to setup the same thing with a Fedora Bazzite comp and Windows 10.

Can I setup a few folders to share vids/ pics/ docs that're forever visible to the windows pc for viewing?

 

[Quintessa]

Can I setup a few folders to share vids/ pics/ docs that're forever visible to the windows pc for viewing?

Yep, just install Samba on Fedora and set the share perms. Then mount it from Windows as a network drive.

---

Basic setup (Fedora Bazzite side):

sudo dnf install samba samba-common samba-client
sudo systemctl enable --now smb

---

Create a user for Samba:

sudo smbpasswd -a your_username

---

Edit your Samba config:

sudo nano /etc/samba/smb.conf

---

Example share block:

[SharedStuff]
   path = /home/your_username/Shared
   browsable = yes
   read only = no
   guest ok = no

---

Firewall:

sudo firewall-cmd --add-service=samba --permanent
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

---

Windows side:
- Open File Explorer
- \\FEDORA_IP_ADDRESS\SharedStuff
- Use your Samba username/pass
- Right-click > Map Network Drive > Reconnect at login

---

Done.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Yep, just install Samba on Fedora and set the share perms. Then mount it from Windows as a network drive.

---

Basic setup (Fedora Bazzite side):

sudo dnf install samba samba-common samba-client
sudo systemctl enable --now smb

---

Create a user for Samba:

sudo smbpasswd -a your_username

---

Edit your Samba config:

sudo nano /etc/samba/smb.conf

---

Example share block:

[SharedStuff]
   path = /home/your_username/Shared
   browsable = yes
   read only = no
   guest ok = no

---

Firewall:

sudo firewall-cmd --add-service=samba --permanent
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

---

Windows side:
- Open File Explorer
- \\FEDORA_IP_ADDRESS\SharedStuff
- Use your Samba username/pass
- Right-click > Map Network Drive > Reconnect at login

---

Done.

Great comments

I would add a line to backup the config file too, that samba config can be gold later on

 

[Indus]

Yep, just install Samba on Fedora and set the share perms. Then mount it from Windows as a network drive.

---

Basic setup (Fedora Bazzite side):

sudo dnf install samba samba-common samba-client
sudo systemctl enable --now smb

---

Create a user for Samba:

sudo smbpasswd -a your_username

---

Edit your Samba config:

sudo nano /etc/samba/smb.conf

---

Example share block:

[SharedStuff]
   path = /home/your_username/Shared
   browsable = yes
   read only = no
   guest ok = no

---

Firewall:

sudo firewall-cmd --add-service=samba --permanent
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

---

Windows side:
- Open File Explorer
- \\FEDORA_IP_ADDRESS\SharedStuff
- Use your Samba username/pass
- Right-click > Map Network Drive > Reconnect at login

---

Done.

Thank you going to try it.

Two questions though..

1. in your command line: " sudo smbpasswd -a your_username"

lets say I want to set username: citrus and pw: orange
Would I then type:

sudo orange -a citrus ?? Does this seem correct?

2. Also out of curiosity what's the way I would be able to view the same folders on a LMDE debian computer?

 

[Quintessa]

Does this seem correct?

Nah, not quite. smbpasswd is the actual command, not your password. type "orange" when it's prompted after running sudo smbpasswd -a citrus

what's the way I would be able to view the same folders on a LMDE debian computer?

On your LMDE box, you can access the Fedora share just like Windows:
- Open Files (Nemo) > Other Locations
- Type: smb://fedora_ip_address/SharedStuff
- Enter citrus / orange when prompted

Still thinking about how to write more simply, apparently this forum hasn't lifted the restrictions on me writing more technically lol
Will be back soon

 

[Indus]

Nah, not quite. smbpasswd is the actual command, not your password. type "orange" when it's prompted after running sudo smbpasswd -a citrus


On your LMDE box, you can access the Fedora share just like Windows:
- Open Files (Nemo) > Other Locations
- Type: smb://fedora_ip_address/SharedStuff
- Enter citrus / orange when prompted

Still thinking about how to write more simply, apparently this forum hasn't lifted the restrictions on me writing more technically lol
Will be back soon

Thank you!

 

[ch33zw1z]

Nah, not quite. smbpasswd is the actual command, not your password. type "orange" when it's prompted after running sudo smbpasswd -a citrus


On your LMDE box, you can access the Fedora share just like Windows:
- Open Files (Nemo) > Other Locations
- Type: smb://fedora_ip_address/SharedStuff
- Enter citrus / orange when prompted

Still thinking about how to write more simply, apparently this forum hasn't lifted the restrictions on me writing more technically lol
Will be back soon

@Indus

Lookup how to map it in fstab so it’s persistent during reboots

 

[Indus]

Interesting.. in fedora/ ultramarine now..

sudo systemctl --now smb
Unknown command verb 'smb', did you mean 'stop'?

 

[ch33zw1z]

Interesting.. in fedora/ ultramarine now..

sudo systemctl --now smb
Unknown command verb 'smb', did you mean 'stop'?

It was

sudo dnf install samba samba-common samba-client
sudo systemctl enable --now smb

Enabling it after the install

After than, it would be:

sudo systemctl smb start/stop/status <~~~ not all three, but the one you need

 

[Indus]

It was

sudo dnf install samba samba-common samba-client
sudo systemctl enable --now smb

Enabling it after the install

After than, it would be:

sudo systemctl smb start/stop/status <~~~ not all three, but the one you need

Thank you but I don't get it..

What is going on??

 

[ch33zw1z]

Thank you but I don't get it..

What is going on??

View attachment 127621

Try smbd

 

[Indus]

Try smbd

same.. failed to parse lines "ow"

 

[ch33zw1z]

same.. failed to parse lines "ow"

—now <~~~~ two dashes

 

[Indus]

—now <~~~~ two dashes

Well that worked..

jyaku:~$ sudo systemctl enable --now smb


Created symlink '/etc/systemd/system/multi-user.target.wants/smb.service' → '/usr/lib/systemd/system/smb.service'.

Thank you!

 

[ch33zw1z]

Well that worked..

jyaku:~$ sudo systemctl enable --now smb


Created symlink '/etc/systemd/system/multi-user.target.wants/smb.service' → '/usr/lib/systemd/system/smb.service'.

Thank you!

Cool, going forward its will be the start/stop/status commands. But youll barely use them for samba, just runs

 

[Indus]

Cool, going forward its will be the start/stop/status commands. But youll barely use them for samba

So just set password

type location of folders to be shared

along with mapping fstab so persistent through reboots

That's all that's left?

 

[ch33zw1z]

So just set password

type location of folders to be shared

along with mapping fstab so persistent through reboots

That's all that's left?

yes, set the password, make changes to the configuration file for your shares,

and from the client side is where you're going to set the mapping

If your client is linux, then yes use fstab for persistent mounts. If client is windows, map a network drive in file exploder

i like to make backups of things like samba.conf as well, something to consider

 

[Indus]

yes, set the password, make changes to the configuration file for your shares,

and from the client side is where you're going to set the mapping

If your client is linux, then yes use fstab for persistent mounts. If client is windows, map a network drive in file exploder

i like to make backups of things like samba.conf as well, something to consider

Am I doing this wrong??

I think I followed your instructions but I can't see the files on the windows computer:



The shared folder is on another hard drive called Movies and the folder I want to share is called Downloaded Movies..

I mapped it out but still nothing.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Am I doing this wrong??

I think I followed your instructions but I can't see the files on the windows computer:

View attachment 127797

The shared folder is on another hard drive called Movies and the folder I want to share is called Downloaded Movies..

I mapped it out but still nothing.

What happens when click fix permissions

I havent managed samba shares thru a gui, so new to me

 

[Indus]

What happens when click fix permissions

I havent managed samba shares thru a gui, so new to me

This:



I don't mind typing out commands since I followed your instructions so far.

But I'm still struggling to set it up correctly.. feels like the first time I setup the windows network.. just need to learn how to do it once.

 

[ch33zw1z]

This:

View attachment 127801

I don't mind typing out commands since I followed your instructions so far.

But I'm still struggling to set it up correctly.. feels like the first time I setup the windows network.. just need to learn how to do it once.

From the samba side, focus on the config file and adding entries for shares in there. Restart the samba service (or reboot) for the new file updates to take effect.

Whats the run folder? Something u made?