to access a shared folder on another PC windows 11 asks for network credentials

Jonathon Simpson 0 Reputation points
2026-06-06T13:09:26.1466667+00:00

to access a shared folder on another PC windows 11 asks for network credentials. Cannot move on from there. The PC's are Managed by MS Server 2022. Windows 10 PC's are able to browse the shared folder

Windows for business | Windows Client for IT Pros | Networking | Network connectivity and file sharing
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  1. Quinnie Quoc 11,830 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-06-06T13:48:50.75+00:00

    Dear Jonathon Simpson,

    The reason Windows 11 prompts for network credentials when accessing a shared folder, while Windows 10 clients connect without issue, is due to stricter SMB authentication policies introduced in Windows 11. By default, anonymous access is blocked, and the system enforces credential validation unless the share permissions explicitly include domain users or groups. This means that if the shared folder is only accessible through implicit permissions, Windows 11 will still require credentials.

    You should verify that the share and NTFS permissions on the Server 2022 host include the appropriate domain groups, such as “Authenticated Users” or the specific user group. On the Windows 11 client, check the local security policy under Computer Configuration → Windows Settings → Security Settings → Local Policies → Security Options, specifically “Network security: LAN Manager authentication level,” and ensure it is set to “Send NTLMv2 response only. Refuse LM & NTLM.” Also confirm that password protected sharing is disabled under Advanced Sharing Settings if you want seamless access. These adjustments align Windows 11’s stricter security model with your existing domain configuration, allowing it to behave consistently with Windows 10 clients.

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    QQ.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-06-06T13:09:56.04+00:00

    Configure and troubleshoot as follows so Windows 11 clients can access the share like Windows 10 PCs:

    1. Verify basic sharing and mapping
    • On the file server, confirm the share and NTFS permissions allow the affected users (or groups) to access the folder.
    • From the Windows 11 PC, try mapping the share explicitly:
      • Open File Explorer → This PC → Map network drive.
      • Enter the UNC path (for example, \\ServerName\ShareName) and finish the wizard.
      • If the share is already mapped with different credentials, disconnect that mapping first and then reconnect.
    1. Avoid conflicting credentials If the same Windows 11 user is trying to connect to multiple shares on the same server with different credentials, this can cause credential prompts and failures. In that case:
    • Disconnect all existing connections to that server (in File Explorer or via net use * /delete).
    • Reconnect using a single consistent account.
    • If different credentials are required for different shares on the same server, use one of these workarounds:
      • Connect to one share using the server’s IP address (for example, \\10.0.0.10\ShareA) and the other using the server name (for example, \\ServerName\ShareB).
      • Or create a DNS alias for the server and connect one share via the alias (for example, \\FilesAlias\ShareB).

    This makes Windows treat them as different servers, allowing different credentials for each.

    1. Check guest/unauthenticated access policies If Windows 10 clients are using unauthenticated (guest) access and Windows 11 is prompting for credentials:
    • On the Windows 11 PC, enable insecure guest logons if this is required by the environment (note: this is less secure and should only be used if policy allows it):
      • Method 1 – Registry:
        1. Open Registry Editor.
        2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\LanmanWorkstation (create the key if it does not exist).
        3. Create a DWORD value AllowInsecureGuestAuth and set it to 1.
      • Method 2 – Local Group Policy:
        1. Run gpedit.msc.
        2. Go to Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Network → Lanman Workstation.
        3. Open Enable insecure guest logons, set it to Enabled.
    • After changing this, retry accessing the share.
    1. Ensure network discovery and file sharing are enabled On the Windows 11 client:
    • Turn on network discovery and file and printer sharing:
      1. Open Settings and search for Manage advanced sharing settings.
      2. Under Private networks, turn on Network discovery and File and printer sharing.
    • Confirm the network profile is Private and that the client is on the same network as the server.
    1. Check required services On the Windows 11 client, ensure the following services are running and set to Automatic:
    • Function Discovery Provider Host
    • Function Discovery Resource Publication
    • SSDP Discovery
    • UPnP Device Host

    If any are stopped, start them and set Startup type to Automatic, then test access again.

    1. Compare with a working Windows 10 client Since Windows 10 PCs can access the share:
    • Compare:
      • The user accounts and groups used on Windows 10 vs Windows 11.
      • Whether Windows 10 is using guest access while Windows 11 is not.
      • Any mapped drive paths (server name vs IP vs alias) and credentials.

    Align the Windows 11 configuration (credentials, path, and guest/NTLM settings) with what works on Windows 10, or adjust server-side permissions so domain-managed credentials from Windows 11 are accepted.

    References:

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