How to browse files on my PC from my Android phone via USB?


Question

Through USB, I can readily browse my Android's file hierarchy using my PC.

How can I browse files on my PC using my Android 4.4 device?

The "ES File Explorer" app doesn't appear to facilitate this.



Specifically what I'd like to do is use my Android (in conjunction with VLC for Android) to watch video files that are stored on my PC.



I can do this over my wifi network, but it just seems so darn silly to use wifi when the USB is plugged in. Silly enough to warrant asking the question, anyway.



Just in case it matters, the desired files are actually on a network drive.

Phone > USB > PC₁ > Network Drive > PC₂



Thanks for any advice!


Answer

It is matter of "master" and "slave". The master can see what is inside the slave but not the countrary. When you plug your phone to the PC, the PC is the master and the phone is the slave. Consequently you cannot explore what is inside your PC with your phone.


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