Networking

Question

I can see my networked computer, but it won't let me access the shared files. I have password protection turned off but it always asks for a password. Nothing works when I try to login using my user name & password. Says it is wrong.

Answer 1

Hi digandy,

Thank you for the update! I’m glad to hear that creating a local account on the host computer allowed you to access and share the files successfully. This is helpful information for others who may encounter the same network credential issue. 

If you ever have any other questions or run into anything in the future, please feel free to post your question on the Microsoft Q&A Forum anytime. I’ll always be here and ready to assist you. 

Wishing you a great experience ahead! 

Answer 2

This usually happens because Windows still requires authenticated access for the shared computer, or guest access is being blocked even when password-protected sharing is turned off.

Try this in order:

1. Make sure the network is set up for sharing.
   • Open Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Advanced sharing settings.
   • Turn on Network discovery.
   • Turn on File and printer sharing.
   • Save changes.
2. Verify the shared folder permissions on the computer that hosts the files.
   • Right-click the shared folder > Properties > Sharing tab > Advanced Sharing.
   • Select Permissions.
   • Allow Everyone Full Control.
   • Then open the Security tab > Edit > Add > enter Everyone > allow Full control.
3. If password-protected sharing is meant to stay off, enable insecure guest logons on the computer trying to access the share.
   • Warning: this reduces security and should only be used on a trusted private network.
   • Option A, Group Policy:
     • Open gpedit.msc.
     • Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Network > Lanman Workstation.
     • Open Enable insecure guest logons and set it to Enabled.
   • Option B, Registry:
     • Open Registry Editor.
     • Go to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\LanmanWorkstation.
     • Create AllowInsecureGuestAuth as a DWORD (32-bit) Value if it does not exist.
     • Set it to 1.
     • Restart the computer.
4. If guest access is not desired, use a local account on the computer that hosts the share.
   • Create a local user account on the host PC.
   • Give that account permission to the shared folder.
   • When prompted, sign in with that local account’s username and password instead of a Microsoft account password.
5. If the device is visible but access still fails, test from Command Prompt.
   • Run:

          net use <DeviceName>: \\<ServerName>\<ShareName>
     

   • This helps confirm whether the issue is File Explorer-specific or authentication-related.
6. If older sharing devices are involved, check SMB and discovery settings.
   • In Windows Features, enable SMB 1.0/CIFS Client if required for the target device.
   • In Services, set these to Automatic and restart:
     • Function Discovery Provider Host
     • Function Discovery Resource Publication
     • SSDP Discovery
     • UPnP Device Host
     • TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
   • Also verify NetBIOS over TCP/IP is enabled in the adapter IPv4 WINS settings.

If the password prompt keeps rejecting credentials, the most reliable fix is usually either:

• enable insecure guest logons for that private network, or
• create a local sharing account on the host PC and use that account for access.

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