Windows 10 file sharing

Question

We have a windows 10 home system acting as a "file server" where all computers on our Lan access to write and read files and they work properly. We just had to replace the C drive and reinstall Windows 10 - Pro version. Now neither the newly installed computer nor the "file server" will access either other. Both system are asking for a user id and password. Both pc's are setup with no password required for file sharing. And the user windows login ID and password do not work. Also tried the Microsoft account credentials- this doesn't work either. When the other computers that do work were initially connected to the "file server ", I don't recall any password being part of the setup. Can you help?

***moved from Windows / Windows 10 / Internet and connectivity***

Answer 1

Hello,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community forum.

Based on the description, I understand your question is related to Windows file sharing and the network security settings between your Windows 10 Pro system and the Windows 10 Home system. There are a few things to check and adjust to get your file sharing working correctly again.

Possible Causes:

1. Network Discovery and File Sharing Disabled: After reinstalling Windows 10 Pro, some settings may have reset, including those related to network discovery and file sharing.
2. Password Protected Sharing: Even though you mention no passwords are required for file sharing, Windows might have password-protected sharing enabled by default. This means any network connection between PCs requires a valid user login to authenticate the connection.
3. Different Network Profiles: After reinstalling, your system may default to a "Public" network profile instead of "Private," which could restrict file sharing.
4. User Account Permissions: Even if you have no passwords set, Windows may still expect to authenticate users with credentials to access shared resources. This can happen if the sharing permissions were not set properly or the user account wasn’t correctly recognized.

Step-by-Step Solution:

1. Check Network Profile:

Open Settings > Network & Internet > Status.

Under Network status, make sure you’re connected to a Private network (this allows sharing).

If it's set to Public, change it to Private. This enables file sharing over the

1. Enable Network Discovery and File Sharing:

Press Windows Key + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter to open Network Connections.

Right-click on your network connection (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and select Properties.

Click on Sharing and make sure "Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection" is unchecked.

Then, to enable file sharing:

1. Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Advanced sharing settings.
2. Make sure these options are set:
   • Turn on network discovery
   • Turn on file and printer sharing
   • Turn off password protected sharing (optional, to avoid the password issue)
3. Disable Password Protected Sharing (If Desired):

In the Advanced Sharing Settings, under All Networks, make sure that Turn off password protected sharing is selected.

This allows file sharing without needing a password.

1. Check File and Printer Sharing on Both PCs:

Open Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings.

Ensure that File and Printer Sharing is turned on.

If you want to access the shared files from another computer without entering a password, turn off Password protected sharing (as mentioned earlier).

1. Check Permissions on the Shared Folders:

Right-click the shared folder > Properties > Sharing tab.

Click Advanced Sharing > Permissions, and ensure that Everyone has the correct permissions (at least Read and Write permissions if needed).

1. Logins and User Accounts:

Even though you’ve disabled password protection, Windows may still try to authenticate using the login credentials of the current user.

Ensure both systems use the same username (local account) or that they both use the same Microsoft account, if applicable.

If both systems are using a local account (without Microsoft login), make sure the usernames and passwords match on both computers for file access.

1. Testing the Connection:

After ensuring all sharing settings are configured properly, test the connection:

1. On the file server, try accessing the shared folder by typing \[IP Address][shared folder name] into File Explorer.
2. On the client machine, do the same, replacing the IP address and shared folder name accordingly.
3. Troubleshooting with Credentials:

If the issue persists and Windows is still prompting for a user ID/password, you may need to manually enter the login credentials in Windows Credentials Manager:

1. Go to Control Panel > User Accounts > Credential Manager.
2. Add a new Windows Credential, where the network address (e.g., \[file server IP]) is entered as the network location, and then use the login credentials (username/password) for the file server system.

Additional Considerations:

• Windows 10 Pro Specifics: Since you have a Pro version on the newly installed system, it may be using more secure features like SMB 2.0/3.0 and encrypted connections by default. Ensure that both systems are using compatible protocols for file sharing (e.g., enabling SMB 1.0 on both machines if necessary).
• Firewall Settings: Make sure the Windows Firewall is not blocking file sharing. You can disable the firewall temporarily to check if it's the source of the issue.

By following these steps, you should be able to re-establish file sharing between the two systems. Let me know how it goes!

Have a nice day. 

Best Regards,

Molly