Not able to share files on home network, "you do not have permission to access" error

SamM 0 Reputation points
2023-07-10T16:25:39.9966667+00:00

Can no longer share files between computers on home private network

All 3 desktop computers I had working at home using Windows 10 could share files between them until now. But one computer was zapped by lightning, along with my DSL modem. Both were changed, and the DSL modem's sign in was modified to match the old one. The new computer has Windows 11. Now none of the computers can share files or folders. What do I need to do now that I'm stuck? Here's what I've done:

  1. Renamed computers to eliminate duplicate names & rebooted
  2. Tried everything suggested by Microsoft and Bing Chat sites (nothing worked).
  3. Included manually changing Windows Credentials per user name and pin for each computer (pin instead of password, since there are no passwords). Here I assume it needs the login credentials for each user, which consists of user/pin. I have no way of knowing if the Windows Credentials refer to something else. I even tried using the wireless network credentials to no avail.
  4. Each one is set up to access the network with the wireless network credentials, although one is wired through ethernet to the modem router (the other 2 are connected wireless).
  5. I've inspected the ip addresses, reset modem details per device,
  6. All 3 computers are set to share the documents folder, with full control permissions to everyone.
  7. Network discovery is on (all 3), with file and printer sharing enabled on both private and public networks (although they are set to private).
  8. Public folder sharing and password protected sharing are both disabled.

(However, I think public network sharing should be disabled).

  1. I've started services like uPnP and Peer Networking to no avail.

Yet I get a persistent error message that I don't have permission, even though permission has been given to myself as administrator. I can see each computer in the network and access it, but have no access to the actual shared folders.

I've been working on this issue for 3 days, and I'm at my wits end and tired of the same answers that don't work. What have I left undone or have wrong?

Windows 10
Windows 10
A Microsoft operating system that runs on personal computers and tablets.
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Windows 10 Network
Windows 10 Network
Windows 10: A Microsoft operating system that runs on personal computers and tablets.Network: A group of devices that communicate either wirelessly or via a physical connection.
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Windows Network
Windows Network
Windows: A family of Microsoft operating systems that run across personal computers, tablets, laptops, phones, internet of things devices, self-contained mixed reality headsets, large collaboration screens, and other devices.Network: A group of devices that communicate either wirelessly or via a physical connection.
814 questions
Windows 11
Windows 11
A Microsoft operating system designed for productivity, creativity, and ease of use.
10,677 questions
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  1. Limitless Technology 44,511 Reputation points
    2023-07-11T14:38:34.9566667+00:00

    Hello,

    I understand that you're facing difficulties with file sharing between your computers after a lightning strike and hardware replacement. It can be frustrating when the usual troubleshooting steps don't resolve the issue. Let's go through some additional troubleshooting steps to try and resolve the problem:

    Check network profile: Confirm that the network profile on each computer is set to "Private." Open the Settings app on each computer, go to Network & Internet > Ethernet (or Wi-Fi) > Network profile, and ensure it is set to Private. Public network profiles can have more restrictive sharing settings.

    Verify network connectivity: Double-check that all computers are connected to the same network and can communicate with each other. You can try pinging the IP addresses of the other computers to confirm connectivity. Open Command Prompt and type ping <IP address> (replace <IP address> with the IP address of another computer). Repeat this for all computers to ensure they can reach each other.

    Temporarily disable firewalls: Disable the firewall software (including any third-party firewall applications) on all computers and test if file sharing works. If it does, you may need to adjust the firewall settings to allow file and printer sharing.

    Create a new shared folder: Try creating a new shared folder on one of the computers and see if other computers can access it. This can help determine if the issue is specific to existing shared folders or a broader problem with file sharing.

    Verify user permissions: Check the user permissions on the shared folders. Ensure that the user accounts on each computer have the necessary permissions to access the shared folders. You can try giving explicit permissions to individual user accounts instead of relying on the "Everyone" group.

    Reset TCP/IP stack: Resetting the TCP/IP stack on each computer can help resolve network-related issues. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run the following commands one by one:

    netsh winsock reset

    netsh int ip reset

    ipconfig /release

    ipconfig /renew

    Restart the computers after running these commands and test file sharing again.

    Enable SMBv1: Windows 11 has deprecated support for SMBv1 (Server Message Block version 1) due to security concerns. However, some older devices or operating systems might still rely on SMBv1 for file sharing. On each computer, open the Control Panel, go to Programs > Turn Windows features on or off, and check the box next to "SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support." Click OK and restart the computer.

    Verify workgroup settings: Ensure that all computers are part of the same workgroup. By default, Windows assigns the "WORKGROUP" workgroup name. To verify or change the workgroup name, right-click on This PC, select Properties, click on "Change settings" next to the computer name, go to the "Computer Name" tab, and check the workgroup name.

    If none of the above steps resolve the issue, there might be a more complex network configuration or compatibility problem. In such cases, seeking assistance from a professional or contacting the support channels provided by your hardware or software vendors might be helpful.

    Note: It's generally recommended to have strong, unique passwords for user accounts to enhance security. Using a PIN as the sole authentication method may not provide adequate protection for your computers and network resources. Consider setting strong passwords for your user accounts in the future.

    I used AI provided by ChatGPT to formulate part of this response. I have verified that the information is accurate before sharing it with you.

    --If the reply is helpful, please Upvote and Accept as answer--


  2. SamM 0 Reputation points
    2023-07-14T03:13:36.0933333+00:00

    I finally solved this problem myself. The issue was not about network or sharing, but it was about registered owner. The issue was solved by setting all 3 computers to the same owner. The owner of 2 computers was "******@email.com" and the one having the problem was "user". So adding "@email.com" to the user line in the registered owner field, the folders and files can now be shared. It required a regedit modification in HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion.

    This begs the question in a home network, does sharing require that all shared computers have the same registered owner.

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