Windows 10: File Sharing "Windows cannot access"

Problem: Only some clients cannot connect to Shared folder


Configuration:

My clients want to map network drive to connect the folder which is on my computer.

One of my clients can connect, however, other 2 clients cannot connect by getting "Windows cannot access" error.

However, the connection is successfully established between me and clients. They are instructed to enter credentialsand then got the aforementioned error. In case the connection cannot be established, they should get an error without credential prompt

All of my clients and I are using Windows 10.


What I tried/did:

<Advanced Sharing settings>

Network Discovery: ON

File and Printer Sharing: ON

File Sharing Connections: Use 128-bit encryption

Password Protected: ON


<Folder to be Shared> Located C:\Users\Me\Desktop\ProjectX

Give Full Control permission to my clients I created each user accounts on my PC

Tick "Share this folder"

Give Share permissions also Full Control


<Network>

Port Forwarding Enabled TCP 445


What my clients did:

- Map a network drive

- Type my PC address

- Instructed to input credentials
- Sometimes instructed again without any error

- Got Error "Windows cannot access mydomain.com\ProjectX Check the spelling of the name, Otherwise, there might be a problem with your network."


Thank you in advance.

:)

 

Cannot access shared network drive


Personally, I wouldnt use Everyone. If anyone hacks into you, they have full access to everything and can demolish everything on your raid. I would rather set up accounts and access separately for each person. That way, I know who did all that damage. In the end with a little extra work, I feel more secure by using Authenticated Users.


If this helps.
step 1 create non-microsoft account and without email and address without admin rights
step 2 share a drive or folder to specific user account (if Everyone is listed, remove it)
step 3 set security > add Authenticated Users (if more than 1 account) or add specific users
step 3a remove Everyone from list
step 3b uncheck full control and write for all items listed except SYSTEM and Admin account.
step 4 right click Start > Computer Management > System Tools > Shared Folders > Shares ... to verify settings and change anything else. You can also see the number of connections to each share here.

 

SHARING FILES WITH WINDOWS 7

Hello,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

• Have you made any changes on your PC?
• Did you perform any Windows update recently?
• Are you connected to Domain network?

I suggest you to try the below steps and check if that helps.

1. To share files over file explorer refer the following
   
   article.
2. Refer article for
   file sharing over a network.

Hope it helps.

Let us know if you got the help you needed by clicking, Yes or No.

Sandeep Kumar M

Microsoft Community - Moderator

 

Home Network and shared printer access problems

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



We understand your concern, as you are having issue with accessing the files and printer within the network and in order to get clarity and to assist you accordingly, please reply with the answers to the questions below.

• What is the error message you get, while accessing the file or the Printer using Windows 7 PC?
  
• Are you aware of any recent changes on the PC, prior to this issue?
  

Meanwhile, we would suggest you to perform all the steps in all the PC that are connected in the network as suggested by Roohi Taj on January 8th, 2019
in this
post.



As an additional information please refer the below articles:

File sharing over a network in Windows 10

Share files in File Explorer



We await your response.



Aditya Roy

Microsoft Community – Moderator