Portable Hard Drive Sharing in Network

The portable drive can be shared from the extender only if that exact Zyxel model provides a USB file-server/File Sharing Service; a USB port alone does not establish that capability.

1. Verify and configure the Zyxel device

1. Find the extender’s exact model number on its label.
2. Search that model in Zyxel’s Download Library and open its user guide. USB storage sharing is not documented as a universal mesh-extender feature; for example, the available WX-series guide documents the extender but does not establish USB file sharing for every WX model.^1^ ^2^
3. Sign in to the Zyxel device’s administration page.
4. Look for Network Setting > USB Service.
5. If available:
   • Connect the portable drive.
   • Enable File Sharing Services.
   • Add a Share Directory for the drive or desired folder.
   • Create a username and password and grant it read/write access.

Zyxel documents this USB Service procedure for supported AX/DX/EE/EX/PX-series devices, using SMB/CIFS network sharing.^3^

Check the model-specific storage-format requirements before reformatting anything. Some documented Zyxel devices accept FAT/FAT32 USB storage; reformatting erases the drive, so back it up first.^4^

If the administration page has no USB Service or File Sharing option, the extender cannot host the drive using this method. Connect it to a supported router USB port instead, or attach it to a Windows PC and share it from that PC.

2. Prepare each Windows 11 PC

On each trusted home-network PC:

1. Open Settings > Network & internet.
2. Select Wi-Fi > your connected network.
3. Set Network profile type to Private network. A private profile permits discovery and file sharing; do this only on a trusted network.^5^
4. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings.
5. Under Private networks, turn on:
   • Network discovery
   • File and printer sharing^6^

All PCs must be on the normal LAN rather than an isolated guest Wi-Fi network.

3. Connect to and map the drive

Obtain the Zyxel device’s LAN IP address from its administration page. Then:

1. Press Windows+E to open File Explorer.
2. Enter this in the address bar, substituting the actual address:

      \\[IP Address]
   

3. Enter the username and password created in USB Service.
4. Open the displayed shared folder and verify that a test file can be created.
5. To assign it a drive letter:
   • Right-click This PC and select Map network drive.
   • Choose a drive letter.
   • Enter \\device-IP\share-name.
   • Select Reconnect at sign-in, then Finish.

Microsoft documents the same Windows 11 mapping procedure for SMB network shares.^7^ Zyxel also shows IP-based Windows access such as \\[IP Address] for supported devices.^8^

If the device name does not work, continue using its IP address. If Windows saved incorrect credentials, open Control Panel > Credential Manager > Windows Credentials, remove the entry for that Zyxel address, and reconnect with the USB-sharing account.^9^

Avoid enabling SMB 1.0 or anonymous guest access unless the exact Zyxel documentation requires it. Prefer a password-protected account, particularly with current Windows 11 security defaults.

References

1. Download Library | Zyxel Networks
2. WX Series User - download.zyxel.com
3. USB Service
4. USB Service - Zyxel
5. Essential Network Settings and Tasks in Windows | Microsoft Support
6. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/printer/share-a-printer-as-a-network-printer#turn-on-sharing-settings)
7. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/experience/connectivity-networking/file-sharing-over-a-network-in-windows)
8. How do I enable and configure USB file sharing on the Nebula FWA device
9. I have a drive on a USB port on my router, but I can't map it as a network drive. - Microsoft Q&A