Windows cannot access \\PCName

Question

I am using a Dell Laptop with Windows10 Pro OS. I am trying to connect my laptop from my Desktop PC which is also WIndows10 Pro. Both the OS version is the same. While I have managed to successfully map a network drive on Desktop PC from laptop but the same can't be done from Desktop for a shared network on laptop. I receive an error message that says I do not have permission to access files. Is there any solution for this issue?

Answer 1

Tracking post as I'm having a similar issue. Windows 1709 on the other computer has zero issues, whatsoever. Windows 8.1 on the laptop works just fine. Both of those also retain access to Homegroup. Windows 1803 on my daily driver can't find jack, and lost access to Homegroup. I'm seriously considering rolling it back to 1709 now that I realized the other computer has an older (and apparently more functional and versatile) version of Windows 10 Pro.

I'm trying to access the "Public" folders on the 1709 computer from the 1803 computer. There shouldn't be ANY issues of security or access limitations, whatsoever. The 1803 computer doesn't even realize there are other computers on the network (private, home, ethernet) let alone that it has permission to access anything on them.

Can someone at Microsoft please explain again who the moron was who decided Homegroup needed to go away?

Answer 2

Hello,

IMO, you need to configure appropriate permissions to resolve this. Refer this fix:

https://www.kapilarya.com/fix-cannot-access-shared-folder-or-drive-in-windows-10-server

Let us know if this helps!

Note: Included link in this reply refers to blog post by a trusted Microsoft MVP.

Answer 3

Hi,

Based on my understanding, desktop cannot map a network drive. Is that right? Please feel free to let me know if I have any misunderstanding.

1.Make sure you have checked shared folder's permission.

2.Try to enter the full path to the shared folder from file explorer directly. Try both \IP address\share name and \hostname\share name. If it still doesn't work, please post the exact error message.

3.Check the desktop's SMB client log and laptop's SMB server log to see if there are something related for us to troubleshoot.

Best Regards,
Candy

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Answer 4

Have you run the shared folders troubleshooter on the client and the incoming connections troubleshooter on the server?

See Settings, Additional Troubleshooters.

Also verify both the share permissions and the file/folder permissions.