Windows 10: Windows cannot access \\computer name or Enter network credentials.

Hi, I couldn't connect to our 2nd home computer from Microsoft Explorer by clicking on it in the Network tab. I am using Microsoft Workgroup Network . The computer showed up in the Network but I got errors when clicking on it. This used to work as I used to transfer data between the two computers. I tried everything I found on-line such as making sure it's a private network, ensuring both computers are using the same DNS servers, ensuring sharing permissions, disabling password sharing, checking/editing Local Security Policy, Group Policy, disk permissions but nothing worked. Finaly when displ

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Asking for Network Credentials when trying to access computer on the network

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



I understand that you are being asked for credentials when trying to access computers on the network. I’ll certainly help you with the issue.



Ideally, when you are asked for credentials, you will need to enter the username and password of the computer which you are trying to access. If you are on a secured network, you can turn off password protected sharing under Network and sharing options
and you will not be prompted for a password.



If you are unable to access the computer by entering the username and password of the computer, one of thing that I can suggest you is to try entering the Device name and password when you receive the prompt. To check for the Device name, go to
Start >> Settings >> System >> About.



If that doesn’t work, try the steps mentioned below:

1. On the computer for which you are being asked for password, type
   command prompt in the search bar on the Taskbar.
   
2. Right click on the command prompt icon, and select
   Run as administrator.
   
3. Now, type whoami and hit
   Enter.
   

You will get the name of the device, try using the name as the username and use the computer password.



Let us know the results, we will be glad to help you further.



Regards,

Nikhar Khare

Microsoft Community - Moderator

 

Enter Network Credentials issue.

Hi

Welcome to Microsoft community.

It seems like you're facing issues with accessing shared folders on your desktop from your laptop after a clean install of Windows 11. The "Enter Network Credentials" prompt is asking for the correct credentials to access the shared folders. Here are some steps you can take to resolve this issue:

1. Check Username and Password: Double-check that you are entering the correct username and password. The credentials you need to enter are those associated with your desktop where the shared folders are located. If you're using a Microsoft account to log into your desktop, you should use the associated email and password.
   
2. Use Correct Network Path: When entering the network credentials, make sure you are using the correct network path. The path should resemble the following:
   
   \\computername\sharedfolder
   
   Replace "computername" with the actual name of your desktop computer and "sharedfolder" with the name of the shared folder you're trying to access.
   
3. Update Credentials: If you're sure you're using the correct credentials but still facing issues, you can try updating the credentials in the Credential Manager on your laptop:
   
   a. On your laptop, go to the Control Panel. b. Navigate to User Accounts > Credential Manager. c. Under "Windows Credentials," click on "Add a Windows credential." d. In the "Internet or network address" field, enter the name of your desktop computer. e. Enter the correct username and password for your desktop.
   
4. Check Folder Permissions: On your desktop, ensure that the shared folders have the appropriate permissions set up for the user account you're using to access them. Right-click on the shared folder, go to "Properties," and under the "Sharing" tab, ensure that the correct users or groups have the necessary permissions.
   
5. Network Reset: If the issue persists, you might consider performing a network reset on both your desktop and laptop. This can sometimes help resolve network-related issues. To do this, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Network Reset.
   

Please feel free to let me know if you have any further updates, thanks.

Best regards

Derrick Qian | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

 

Credentials Needed to Access Computer over Private Network

Hello there,

I understand you're facing challenges accessing shared files and folders between your Windows 11 Pro and Windows 10 Pro computers on a private network. Sharing resources on a network can involve a bit of configuration, so let's work through some steps to help you out:

1. Create Matching Local User Accounts:
   
   • On both PCs, set up local user accounts with identical usernames and passwords.
     
   • Use these credentials when prompted while accessing shared resources.
     
2. Adjust Network Discovery and Sharing Settings:
   
   • Open the Settings app on both computers.
     
   • Navigate to "Network & Internet" > "Sharing" (Windows 11) or "Network & Sharing Center" > "Change advanced sharing settings" (Windows 10).
     
   • Make sure that network discovery and file and printer sharing are enabled.
     
3. Use "Connect using different credentials":
   
   • When asked for credentials, try "Connect using different credentials."
     
   • Format the username as COMPUTERNAME\USERNAME (e.g., PC1\John).
     
   • Enter the corresponding password.
     
4. Shared Folder Permissions:
   
   • On the Windows 10 computer, right-click the shared folder and choose "Properties."
     
   • Head to the "Sharing" tab, then click "Advanced Sharing."
     
   • Confirm that "Permissions" for Everyone or the specific user are set to "Full Control."
     
5. Windows Credentials:
   
   • Access Control Panel on the Windows 10 computer.
     
   • Go to "User Accounts" > "Credential Manager."
     
   • Under "Windows Credentials," add a new credential with the network path of the Windows 11 computer and the local account's username and password.
     
6. Windows 10 Local Group Policy:
   
   • Type "gpedit.msc" in the Run dialog on the Windows 10 computer.
     
   • Navigate to "Computer Configuration" > "Administrative Templates" > "System" > "Credentials Delegation."
     
   • Enable "Allow delegating saved credentials with NTLM-only server authentication."
     
   • Add "TERMSRV/*" to the policy.
     
7. Windows Defender Firewall:
   
   • Confirm that Windows Defender Firewall isn't blocking network sharing.
     
   • Double-check your network profile (Private/Public) and ensure sharing is allowed based on your profile settings.
     
8. Network Troubleshooter:
   
   • Run the Windows network troubleshooter on both computers to diagnose and address network-related issues.
     

Remember, maintain strong passwords for user accounts and follow good security practices. I hope this helps you resolve the sharing problem effectively.

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