Started asking to "Enter Network Credentials"

Question

I have 2 computers plugged into the same router.

For ages they have been able to transfer files between them with no problem.

But today they won't connect and a dialog appears saying "Enter network credentials":

Any idea why this has started happening?

And what credentials am I supposed to use?

One computer is Windows 11, the other is Windows 10.

On both computers, in Advanced network settings, "Password protected sharing" is Off.

Looking in Credential Manager on the W11 computer, there are "No Windows credentials".

On the W10 computer, there is one.

Answer 1

Hello,

I recommend that you use Registry Editor to enable Insecure guest login, see the following steps:

1. Open Registry Editor. Go to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\LanmanWorkstation.

Note: If the key does not exist, you need to create it. Hold down the "Windows" key (right-click), select "New" > "Key" and name the switch "LanmanWorkstation".

2. Hold down the "LanmanWorkstation" key (right-click), select "New" > "DWORD (32-bit) Value" and name it "AllowInsecureGuestAuth". Double-click, set "Value Data" to "1", and press Enter.

Note If you modify the registry incorrectly, you can cause serious problems. So, follow these steps carefully. For additional protection, back up the registry before modifying it. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, see Backing up and restoring the registry in Windows.

Can't access shared folders from File Explorer - Windows Client | Microsoft Learn

Best Reagrds

Zunhui

Answer 2

Thank you. It's working again now.

Any idea what changed recently to make this necessary?