How do you connect with another computer via network sharing

Question

How do you connect with another computer via network sharing

Ronnie Waldner 5

Hello,

How do i connect with another computer via network sharing I can see computer on network but i can't access it. I'm getting an error. It's asking me for network credentials. I have another computer with windows 10 where I don't have a problem logging in from that computer.

Reza-Ameri 45,666 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2023-08-17T20:37:27.78+00:00

Please share steps which you follow to gain access.

Just adding the PC in shared network doesn't give you the access.

You will need to share a folder and grant access to other PC.
JonathanC 5 Reputation points

2025-05-14T16:02:43.1633333+00:00

This did not work. It keeps asking for network credentials and no username or password works. i even add credentials and they still dont work. i enter my microsoft account and password and it doesnt work. what is up with this? Microsoft has compatibility issues with itself?
Trini 30 Reputation points

2025-06-09T00:37:54.8933333+00:00

Since last spring (W10) I was unable to see files on my laptop from my desktop over local network (wifi). However I could access desktop files from my laptop and also print from laptop (printer attached to desktop). On both machines I could see both computers listed under network in File Explorer. I tried all the suggestions given by moderators plus others I read but after many hours since I could still access at least one way I gave up. This past week I could no longer access from the laptop and could no longer print from the laptop following the latest W10 update. So many many hours of going through steps from learn.microsoft answers plus other stuff I found I finally tried something simple and it worked! On both computers I went to the Network and Sharing Center, then to- change advanced sharing settings -and I turned off under -All Networks- password protected sharing. Then I rebooted both machines. On File explorer expand network and if on laptop click on the desktop . You will be asked to logon to the desktop with username (not computer name) and pwd for the desktop. It will then find the computer and display it and ask you if you want to keep connected. This will turn on the pwd protected sharing. Then do the same on the desktop (click on laptop and put in credentials for laptop) Cannot believe it was that simple after all the crazy things I tried! Hope this helps someone else.
Andrew 0 Reputation points

2025-11-26T02:32:54.06+00:00

100% this does not work. Microsoft do not even know how to network windows either jokers
Andrew 0 Reputation points

2025-11-26T02:34:29.6833333+00:00

This did not work. It keeps asking for network credentials and no username or password works. i even add credentials and they still dont work. i enter my microsoft account and password and it doesnt work. what is up with this? Microsoft has compatibility issues with itself?

I have the exact same issue i triued for hours everything AI gemini chat GPT my mate who is a network guy no one can do it its broke, both on windows pro so what gives ????

2 answers

Your answer

Reza-Ameri 45,666 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2023-08-17T20:37:27.78+00:00

Please share steps which you follow to gain access.

Just adding the PC in shared network doesn't give you the access.

You will need to share a folder and grant access to other PC.
JonathanC 5 Reputation points

2025-05-14T16:02:43.1633333+00:00

This did not work. It keeps asking for network credentials and no username or password works. i even add credentials and they still dont work. i enter my microsoft account and password and it doesnt work. what is up with this? Microsoft has compatibility issues with itself?
Trini 30 Reputation points

2025-06-09T00:37:54.8933333+00:00

Since last spring (W10) I was unable to see files on my laptop from my desktop over local network (wifi). However I could access desktop files from my laptop and also print from laptop (printer attached to desktop). On both machines I could see both computers listed under network in File Explorer. I tried all the suggestions given by moderators plus others I read but after many hours since I could still access at least one way I gave up. This past week I could no longer access from the laptop and could no longer print from the laptop following the latest W10 update. So many many hours of going through steps from learn.microsoft answers plus other stuff I found I finally tried something simple and it worked! On both computers I went to the Network and Sharing Center, then to- change advanced sharing settings -and I turned off under -All Networks- password protected sharing. Then I rebooted both machines. On File explorer expand network and if on laptop click on the desktop . You will be asked to logon to the desktop with username (not computer name) and pwd for the desktop. It will then find the computer and display it and ask you if you want to keep connected. This will turn on the pwd protected sharing. Then do the same on the desktop (click on laptop and put in credentials for laptop) Cannot believe it was that simple after all the crazy things I tried! Hope this helps someone else.
Andrew 0 Reputation points

2025-11-26T02:32:54.06+00:00

100% this does not work. Microsoft do not even know how to network windows either jokers
Andrew 0 Reputation points

2025-11-26T02:34:29.6833333+00:00

This did not work. It keeps asking for network credentials and no username or password works. i even add credentials and they still dont work. i enter my microsoft account and password and it doesnt work. what is up with this? Microsoft has compatibility issues with itself?

I have the exact same issue i triued for hours everything AI gemini chat GPT my mate who is a network guy no one can do it its broke, both on windows pro so what gives ????

Answer 1

S.Sengupta 27,591 MVP

Here are the steps:

On the Computer You Want to Share From:

Enable File and Printer Sharing:

Go to the Control Panel or Settings (search for it in the Start menu).
Navigate to Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings.
Turn on Network discovery, File and printer sharing, and possibly Public folder sharing.

Share a Folder:

Right-click on the folder you want to share and select Properties.
Go to the Sharing tab.
Click on the Share button.
Select the users or groups you want to share the folder with.
Set their permission level (Read, Read/Write, etc.).
Click Share and then Done.

On the Computer You Want to Access the Shared Folder:

Access Shared Folder:

Open File Explorer.
In the address bar, type the following: \\computername (replace "computername" with the name of the computer you're connecting to).
Press Enter.

OR

Open File Explorer.
Click on the Network tab in the left sidebar. Your shared computer should appear here.
Double-click on the computer to access its shared folders.

Enter Credentials (If Required):

If prompted, enter the username and password of an account on the computer you're connecting to. This is to authenticate your access.

Access the Shared Folder:

You should now see the shared folders on the remote computer.
Double-click on the shared folder you want to access and interact with its contents.

Reade Holtslander 20 Reputation points

2025-01-31T01:03:13.5633333+00:00

Thanks but this didn't help me.
Thinh Nguyen 15 Reputation points

2025-03-11T00:29:01.97+00:00

Microsoft always makes it complicated to connect two computers.
It doesn't work.
Andrew 0 Reputation points

2025-11-26T02:38:37.6133333+00:00

Does anyone know what username and password you are supposed to put in? where do i find them how do i set the passwords and username???
Andrew 0 Reputation points

2025-11-26T02:39:47.8266667+00:00

Enter Credentials (If Required):

If prompted, enter the username and password of an account on the computer you're connecting to. This is to authenticate your access.

what credentials??????? is this stored in windows my MS account where what how? useless advise

Answer 2

Quick workaround that actually works:

On the sharing PC, create a simple local user:

Settings > Accounts > Other users > Add account > “I don’t have this person’s sign-in info” > “Add a user without a Microsoft account”.

Make username like: shareuser, set an easy password.

On the PC you’re using to connect:

When the credentials box pops up, enter:

Username: SHARINGPCNAME\shareuser

Password: the password you set above.

Tick “Remember my credentials” so you only do this once.

That usually kills the prompt for good and is less painful than fighting Windows’ “no password” quirks.

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How do you connect with another computer via network sharing

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