If you’re a computer newbie, don’t get turned off by the word “Server”. There are many ways to share files but this is actually one of the easiest way to do it without uploading to file hosting websites. All you need to do is download a small 550KB executable file that requires no installation, run it and add files/folders that you want to share. If you are using a direct connection through modem without router, it works right out of the box without any configuration. And if you have a router, you’ll need to do port forwarding. There are also expert mode which gives you more configuration such as Dynamic DNS Updater and etc…
Actually I got to know about HTTP File server about 2 years ago and it has improved a lot along the years. Perhaps many of you already know about HFS, if not, I assure you won’t regret taking a few minutes to learn about this great file sharing server tool.
HFS (Http File Server) is file sharing software which allows you to send and receive files. You can limit this sharing to just a few friends, or be open to the whole world. HFS is different from classic file sharing because there is no network. HFS is a web server which uses web technology to be more compatible with today’s Internet. Since it is actually a web server, your friends can download files as if they were downloading from a website using a web browser, such as Internet Explorer or Firefox. Your users don’t have to install any new software.
Let’s go through a short step by step on how to get HTTP File Server working.
1. Download HTTP File Server from the link at the end of this article.
2. Run hfs.exe
3. Right click on the left pane, select Add files if you want to share files or select Add folder from disk. You can also drag and drop files/folders.
4. Once you’ve done adding files/folders that you want to share, you’ll need to give your friend your IP address. To find your IP address, go to Menu > IP address > Find external address. A small window will appear displaying your external IP address.
5. Ask your friend to enter the URL http://IPADDRESS at their web browser. The file/folder that you shared will appear for them to download.
Very useful when you frequently need to share files with your friends. It’s small, free and powerful. There are other similar software such as BadBlue, Easy File Sharing Web Server, WWW File Share Pro and Myweb but they are all shareware. Why pay when there is a free one that does the same?