Windows 10: Folder share issue involving network path

It's the same folder. Here's the corresponding General tab:

 

You cannot share that folder without opening it up to every user on the laptop. So any user besides you on the laptop would have access to your Documents.

 

Actually you can share that folder, but like I said it will open the folder for every user that accesses the laptop, even a guest user. If you want to proceed with that, let me know.

 

I'm the only user on the laptop. It's the different look from other computers that's got me wondering if this is the problem.
My wife's laptop is an identical model to mine. Here's the Documents folder properties > sharing tab on hers:





I actually do want to share the Documents folder here at home though. I often drag files between them for my work.
But the problem is here that I can't share any folders at all right now. Not even that one directly on the root of the C:\ drive

Just saw your other reply in the meantime, and yes, I'm fine with every user having access as long as it's on a private network. (not public)

 

Ok, open the properties of the folder, go to the Security tab. Click on the Edit button. Click the Add button and do like you did with the sharing. Give everyone access. Then once you are done save that. Then make sure all the sharing is done the same and it should work.

 

Yes but that's where it doesn't work.
This is the security tab currently:





But nothing can access this laptop. Something somewhere just isn't working the way it should
Edit: posted the wrong image before, but can't seem to remove it.

 

As explained in post 2 the share is only one part the NTFS permissions must also be set or you wont get in

 

That is the sharing permissions. You have to do this on the Security tab.

 

When you open the properties after having it set right. On the Security tab you will see Everyone with permissions checked.

 

Progress, in as much as at least now I can access this laptop from this laptop over the network. Sort of...
I can now double-click on the laptop and see some sub-folders. Before I'd only get an error that it was refusing any connections.
I still can't get into those sub-folders though.

This is trying to access the documents folder on this laptop, using this very same laptop via the home network:




But I still can't access this laptop at all from any other device on the network.

 

You will have to give permissions on each subfolder as well. It is the way NTFS works.

Also my shares did not work for a couple minutes after I set them up. After that I was all good.

 

I'm just stuck at the same point as I have been ever since the beginning.
Here's the message from another PC trying to access this laptop:




I think it's a losing battle.
I was hoping it would be something like editing that location path in the properties > sharing but if it's not that then I don't think anything is going to fix this.
I'm just going to have to live with being able to access shared folders from this laptop but not being able to share folders from it.

 

I think something has messed up the firewall rules on the laptop to be honest. There is no reason for it not to work. The only reason that caused me sharing issues was when I had my PC behind a router and the other device was connected directly to the modem wifi. Long story but once they were both on the same network, it started working.

It has to be the firewall rules. Give this a try:

Restore Default Windows Defender Firewall Settings in Windows 10 Windows 10 Tutorials

 

OK I'll try that, or even turning it off completely.
But I don't know that that would affect even the attempt to share a folder the way it is.

This is that completely useless error message I get when trying to share the sub-folder:





This appears after right-click folder > properties > sharing (weirdly long delay to go there) > Share... > Everyone = Read/Write access > Share

I could see how firewall might possibly block access from another machine, but I can't imagine it causing an error like that to prevent sharing a folder in the first place.

 

That is part of the security. That is why it is recommended to use a different folder. You have to set the Security before permissions of any subfolders in the user folders.

OR that laptop has some issues with Windows itself.

EDIT: I was just able to share my Pictures folder with a ton of subfolders and it worked across my network. There is definitely something wrong with the laptop. I did exactly what I posted for you.