Cannot access to shared folder!

Question

Hello,

I have a problem: I can't connect to the shared folders of a computer on the same LAN.

I have two computers running Windows:

1. Device A runs Windows10 Pro (22H2, OS build 19045.4412, Intel version, launched in native mode under BootCamp on a MacBook Pro (without using Parallels Desktop on macOS).
2. Device B runs Windows11 Pro (Version 23H2 (OS Build 22631.3447), for ARM64 processors, launched via Parallels Desktop on a Mac Mini M2 Pro).

The two hosts are configured so that they are on the same network and can see each other. (private network)

I want to access volume C: on computer B from computer A
So I've shared volume C: on host B.

Both machines A and B have been installed using the same Microsoft account, and the Windows sessions use this same Microsoft account.
When I open Windows Explorer on machine A, I can see computer B and two shared volumes : C and Users, in the Network section of the folder tree.
(I have to say that the reverse is not true: I can't see machine A from B's Windows Explorer, and I don't know why).

Still, I can't access it from machine A!
First, I tried using the following credentials:

1. Microsoft account ID / Microsoft account password
2. Microsoft account ID / Microsoft account PIN
3. [Windows username] (as specified in Settings/Users) / Microsoft account password
4. [Windows username] (as shown in Settings/Users) / PIN for my Microsoft account
5. [B machine name]/[Windows user name] (as indicated in Settings/Users/account name) / my Microsoft account password
6. [B machine name][Windows user name] (as indicated in Settings/Users/account name) / PIN for my Microsoft account
   But every time, I get an error message telling me that my pairing (UserID, password) is wrong and inviting me to check my network password.

This is the first time I've ever heard of a network password, and in any case I couldn't find anywhere to create/set it.

I've looked at credentials (using Control Panel > Credential manager), but the information there is of no use to me.

Lastly, I simply tried to disable the use of passwords (Settings > Network > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings > All networks > Password protected sharing = OFF).
And now I get another error message:
"Network error / Windows cannot access \192.168.2.147\C You do not have permission to access \192.168.2.147\C. Contact your network administrator to request access"

After reading several similar posts on this forum, I also tried to enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP.
I also tried to run the following processes automatically, but to no avail:
Function Discovery Provider Host (FDPHost)
Function Discovery Resource Publication (FDResPub)
Network Connections (NetMan)
UPnP Device Host (UPnPHost)
Peer Name Resolution Protocol (PNRPSvc)
Peer Networking Grouping (P2PSvc)
Peer Networking Identity Manager (P2PIMSvc)

I also tested the other way round (folder C shared on machine A), with exactly the same result!

I don't know what to do! Something that seemed so simple has turned out to be a real obstacle course!

Any help is welcome

Answer 1

Hello ChibiBeru，

You can try the following steps to see if they fix the issue:

1. Press Win + R keys and enter gpedit.msc to launch the Local Group Policy Editor.
2. Locate the "Computer Configuration-Administrative Templates-Network-Lanman Workstation" node. In the content area on the right, you can see the policy setting "Enable insecure guest login". The status is "Not configured".
3. Double-click on the policy setting "Enable insecure guest logins", change the status to "Enabled" and click on the OK button.

Hope the above information can help you.

Best regards

Zunhui