I cannot get my computers to connect

Question

I have three computers that I want to be able to share folders with each other. I set them up on their own private network. They are all set to private network with file folder sharing and network discovery on. I want them to all share the same microsoft account and passwords. I would like it to have password protection so that anyone else who joins the wifi network will not be able to go through all of these computers.

I have two problems. First is getting all of the computers to recognize each other. I have kind of gotten it to work. Computer 1 sees 1 & 2 & 3, Computer 2 sees Computer 1 as media only and sees 3, Computer 3 sees Computer 1 as media only.

The other problem is all of these have password protection off. It is completely, staggeringly, unfathomably unclear what I need to do for account settings. I want them all on microsoft accounts and absolutely no credential I put in when I enable password protection works. I have changed my password, I have tried in vain to figure out how to use a local account, and when I tried to make changes to the microsoft account on computer 3, it takes me to a microsoft account page and refuses to accept anything other than an old business microsoft ID from a place I don't even work at.

I am signed into every one of these computers successfully on my microsoft ID.

Answer 1

Let's address your two main problems step-by-step:

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Problem 1: Getting All Computers to Recognize Each Other

1. Check Network Profiles:
   • Ensure that all computers are on the same network and that the network profile is set to "Private" on each computer.
2. Enable File and Printer Sharing:
   • Go to "Control Panel" > "Network and Sharing Center" > "Change advanced sharing settings".
   • Under the "Private" profile, make sure "Turn on network discovery" and "Turn on file and printer sharing" are enabled.
3. Ensure All Computers Are in the Same Workgroup:
   • Right-click on "This PC" > "Properties".
   • Click on "Change settings" next to the computer name.
   • Ensure all computers are in the same Workgroup. If not, change them to be in the same Workgroup and restart the computers.
4. Check Firewall Settings:
   • Go to "Control Panel" > "System and Security" > "Windows Defender Firewall" > "Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall".
   • Ensure "File and Printer Sharing" is allowed on the private network.
5. Use the IP Address to Test Connectivity:
   • Open Command Prompt and type ping [IP address of the other computer] to check if the computers can communicate with each other.

Problem 2: Enabling Password Protection with Microsoft Accounts

1. Ensure Password Protected Sharing is Enabled:
   • Go to "Control Panel" > "Network and Sharing Center" > "Change advanced sharing settings".
   • Under "All Networks", ensure "Turn on password protected sharing" is enabled.
2. Set Up Sharing with Microsoft Accounts:
   • Ensure all computers are logged in with the same Microsoft account. You can check this under "Settings" > "Accounts" > "Your info".
3. Sharing Folders with Specific Users:
   • Right-click the folder you want to share > "Properties" > "Sharing" > "Advanced Sharing".
   • Click on "Permissions" and add your Microsoft account email under "Group or user names".
4. Using the Correct Credentials:
   • When accessing shared folders, use the format MicrosoftAccount\your-email@example.com for the username and your Microsoft account password.
5. Troubleshoot Account Issues:
   • If you are encountering issues with old credentials, try removing any old business Microsoft accounts:
     • Go to "Settings" > "Accounts" > "Access work or school".
     • Remove any old business accounts listed there.

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Additional Tips:

• Restart Network Services:
  • Sometimes, restarting the network services can help. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the following commands:

    net stop lanmanserver 
    
    net start lanmanserver 
    
    net stop lanmanworkstation 
    
    net start lanmanworkstation 
    

• Network Reset:
  • As a last resort, you can reset the network settings by going to "Settings" > "Network & Internet" > "Status" > "Network reset". This will remove and reinstall all your network adapters and set other networking components back to their original settings.

By following these steps, you should be able to get your computers to recognize each other properly and enable password-protected sharing with your Microsoft accounts. If you continue to experience issues, providing specific error messages or screenshots can help in further diagnosing the problem.

Best regards

Rosy