Make a folder on Lubuntu 18.04 accessible on Windows Machine / Local Network

Install Samba

sudo apt update
sudo apt install samba

Check if installation is ok

whereis samba

Configure Samba

Create the folder you want to share

mkdir /home/<username>/sambashare/

Edit samba configuration file

sudo nano /etc/samba/smb.conf

Add the following lines

[sambashare]
comment = Samba on Ubuntu
path = /home/username/sambashare
read only = no
browsable = yes

Restart Samba Services

sudo service smbd restart

Allow Samba access through your firewall (if you are running ufw)

sudo ufw allow samba

Define a password for your local user. This will be keyed in when accessing the shared folder from Windows/Other machines on the network.

sudo smbpasswd -a <username>

PS: username must exist as a normal user on your Lubutu machine.

If your client machine is ubuntu, access the shared folder by typing

smb://ip-address/sambashare

or alternatively, access it from file manager, in the left menu “Other Locations” > Networks. You should see your Lubuntu machine name.

If your client machine is windows access from file manager as

\\ip-address\sambashare

Enter the username & password configured in earlier step.