Windows 11 computer cannot access another computer on our network

Question

My desktop cannot be accessed by other computers. I have set everything to private, shared folders everything. I can access other computers but no one can access mine. I am not sure what is going on. I have tried everything. I have searched the web with no help. Someone help me.

Answer 1

Hi ,

All computers, you can enable these options.

If you're using the same Microsoft account to try to access the folder, you'll need to add security to the folder you're sharing.

Go to the start menu > settings > network and internet > ethernet or wifi network > select Private mode.

Then go back to the previous menu and select advanced network settings > advanced sharing settings.

Mark Network discovery File and printer sharing.

In the Tab all networks Check Share public folders.

Uncheck Password protected sharing.

All that has already been done.

Are you using the same Microsoft account on your desktop and laptop.

Test

Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.

Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanWorkstation\Parameters.

If the AllowInsecureGuestAuth entry does not exist, right-click and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it AllowInsecureGuestAuth.

Set the value of AllowInsecureGuestAuth to 1.

Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

If it fails, type "Enable or disable Windows features" in the search bar > Search for SMB 1.0 in the list and select "OK." Restart the PC and test.

Credits.: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2189515/windows-11-24h2-and-insecure-guest-logins-settings

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Thanks

Answer 2

Use these checks on the Windows 11 desktop that others cannot access.

1. Confirm all PCs are on the same network

• Make sure every computer (including the desktop) is connected to the same router/Wi‑Fi and not to a guest or different network.

2. Ensure the network is set to Private

• On the desktop: select Start > Settings > Network & Internet.
• Choose Wi‑Fi or Ethernet, select the connected network, and ensure the Network profile type is Private network.

3. Turn on Network discovery and File and printer sharing On the desktop (the one to be accessed):
4. Select the Start button, then choose Settings.
5. In Find a setting, type manage advanced sharing settings and select Manage advanced sharing settings.
6. Under Private networks, turn on Network discovery and File and printer sharing.
7. Under All Networks, if you want others to connect without a username/password, turn off Password protected sharing.
8. Verify sharing on the folders On the desktop:
9. In File Explorer, right‑click the folder to share and select Show more options.
10. Select Give access to > Specific people.
11. Add the users that should have access, or select Everyone to allow all users on the network.
12. Make required sharing services start automatically On the desktop:
13. Press Windows logo key + R, type services.msc, select OK.
14. For each service below, right‑click > Properties:
    • Function Discovery Provider Host
    • Function Discovery Resource Publication
    • SSDP Discovery
    • UPnP Device Host Ensure they are Started and Startup type is set to Automatic.
15. Check that the desktop is actually sharing something On the desktop:
16. Open File Explorer.
17. In the address bar, type \\localhost and press Enter.
    • This shows what that PC is sharing. If the shared folder appears here, other PCs should be able to reach it using \\<desktop‑name> or \\<desktop‑IP>.
18. Turn on Network discovery from File Explorer (if needed) On another PC that cannot see the desktop:
19. Open File Explorer and select Network.
20. If a banner appears saying Network discovery is turned off…, select it and choose Turn on network discovery and file sharing.

After these steps, try accessing the desktop from another PC using:

• \\<desktop‑computer‑name> in File Explorer’s address bar, or
• \\<desktop‑IP‑address> if the name does not work.

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References:

• File sharing over a network in Windows