Why am I *** sometimes getting Enter Network Credentials?

Question

Hi, I have a laptop running Windows 11 Pro, a desktop running Windows 11 Home and a mini server running Windows 11 Pro. The desktop can see the server and laptop. the the server can only see the Desktop, and the laptop can see both. but the laptop cant connect to the shared drives on either. the desktop can "somtimes" connect to the server but never the laptop and the server can also "sometimes" connect to the desktop.

So my question is why only sometimes do I get asked? and when I do I can NEVER connect the computers on the network, but if I leave it for an hour or two then suddenly I can connect without changing anything. IS there a Step By Step to setting up a network on Windows 11? including the step where it tell or explains how to setup your windows cradentials and does just not ASSUME that you know what this is.

***moved from Windows / Windows 11 / Files, folders, and storage***

Answer 1

Hello,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community forum.

It seems like the issue you're facing is related to network sharing and authentication inconsistencies between your devices. The fact that the connection sometimes works and sometimes doesn't suggests that there's an intermittent problem with network discovery, sharing permissions, or network credentials. Here’s a step-by-step guide to troubleshoot and set up your Windows 11 network properly.

Step-by-Step Network Setup for Windows 11

1. Ensure All Devices are on the Same Network

• Verify that all devices (laptop, desktop, and mini server) are connected to the same local network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
• Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Status, and check if they all show the same network connection.

2. Enable Network Discovery & File Sharing

• Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Advanced network settings → Advanced sharing settings.
• Turn on the following:

Network discovery (Make sure it's set to “Turn on network discovery”)

File and printer sharing (Enable this for each device)

3. Disable Password Protected Sharing (Optional)

If you don’t want to deal with Windows asking for credentials every time, you can disable password-protected sharing. This is optional but can simplify the connection process if you're on a trusted network.

• In Advanced sharing settings, scroll down to All Networks.
• Turn off Password-protected sharing (this will allow anyone on the network to access shared files).

4. Set up Windows Credentials

Windows often asks for credentials if the network shares are using a different username/password combination. Here’s how to manually set the credentials to avoid interruptions:

• Press Windows + R, type control, and press Enter to open the Control Panel.
• Go to User Accounts → Credential Manager → Windows Credentials.
• Add the credentials for each machine you want to access, using the format \<hostname> or \<IP address>:

Internet or Network Address: The IP address or hostname of the other machine.

Username: The username of the machine you want to connect to.

Password: The password associated with the username on that machine.

5. Check Permissions on Shared Folders

Make sure that the folders you're trying to access are actually shared with proper permissions:

• Right-click on the folder you want to share → Properties → Sharing tab → Advanced Sharing.
• Enable Share this folder, and click on Permissions to ensure that the user you’re trying to access the folder with has the appropriate access (at least Read or Full Control).

6. Check Firewall Settings

The Windows Firewall may be blocking the network connections. To ensure this isn't the cause:

• Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Windows Security → Firewall & network protection.
• Make sure that File and Printer Sharing is allowed through the firewall. You can click on Allow an app through firewall and ensure File and Printer Sharing is checked.

7. Check SMB Protocol

Windows uses the SMB (Server Message Block) protocol for file sharing. Make sure it’s enabled:

• Go to Settings → Apps → Optional Features → scroll down to SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support.
• If it's turned off, enable it by clicking Add a feature, search for SMB 1.0, and install it.

8. Reset Network Settings (If Needed)

If the issue persists, try resetting your network settings to clear any corrupt configurations.

• Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Advanced network settings → Network reset.
• Click on Reset now to reset all network adapters to default settings.

9. Reboot All Devices

After applying these settings, restart all devices (laptop, desktop, mini server) to ensure the changes take effect.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Network Discovery Is On, But Still Cannot See Devices:

Ensure that the Microsoft Network Adapter Multiplexor Protocol is enabled for each network adapter.

Right-click the network adapter → Properties, and make sure Microsoft Network Adapter Multiplexor Protocol is checked.

• Devices "Disappear" After Some Time:

This can happen due to issues with dynamic IP addresses or the network adapters going into a power-saving mode. Consider assigning static IP addresses to each device on the network.

• Slow Connection or Frequent Disconnects:

This could be related to intermittent issues with the router or network adapters. Ensure that your router's firmware is up-to-date and that no bandwidth-heavy applications are disrupting the network.

Summary

By following these steps, you should be able to configure your network and resolve the issues with credentials and inconsistent network connections. Ensure that each device has the correct sharing and firewall settings, and that credentials are set up properly. Disabling password protection for sharing (if security isn't a concern on your local network) may also help reduce the need for constant re-authentication.

Let me know if you need further assistance with any of these steps!