Windows 10: Network Credentials problem in sharing files: How can I get access?

I'm trying to share files between computers. I believe I have correctly completed the requirements for Share, and Permissions. In trying to access the files on the other computers I am required to "Enter Network Credentials". I have tried the SSID & PW for the network. I have tried UN & PW for the network. I have tried the UN & PW for the computer I am trying to access, the UN & PW for the computer I am using, my Microsoft log-in UN & PW. It appears that none of those are the "Network Credentials" that are being requested. I have checked and repeated all these actions sever

:)

 

Asking to enter network credentials when access files on network

Hi Steve,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



I understand that after an update, you get a prompt to enter network credentials to access files over network. I’ll certainly help you with the issue.



Ideally, if you have never used credentials to access files over network, you may want to check the network settings and see if Password protected sharing is turned off. To do this, refer the steps mentioned below:

1. Go to control panel > Click on
   network and internet > Click on network and sharing.
   
2. Click on Change advance sharing settings
   on the left pane.
   
3. Turn off password protected sharing.
   
4. Click on Save changes
   

Let us know how it goes.



Regards,

Nikhar Khare

Microsoft Community - Moderator

 

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.

* Found this helpful? Feel free to mark it as the solution!

 

Problem sharing files and Network Credentials error

Hello, I'm a new forum member and I could use some help solving some win 10 problems regarding sharing files and a persistent Network credentials expired password and incorrect password errors.

I have a new Acer Nitro-5 laptop with a i5, 8 gb, GeForce GTX 1650 using wireless to a router. The laptop has Win 10 Home version 2004, OS Build 19041.508, upgraded from 1905 I think when brand new. I also have an older PC with an early i3, running Win 10 Home, version 2004, upgraded from an earlier version. The PC is connected to the wireless router with an ethernet cable. I log into both laptop and old PC using a pin number attached to my Microsoft account email @live.com.

So, I have a new, 2 weeks old Acer Nitro-5. I spent the first few days running updates and getting familiar with the laptop. I then spent too many days trying to get the laptop to be able to see my PC and access folders and files on the old PC. I researched and tried many suggestions on youtube and other web forums trying to set up sharing...I've changed many settings now and I honestly don't know where to begin to find all the changes and undo them...At some point I was successful in sharing the folders and files. I somehow created a Z: drive. I'm not sure what it is or how it works but it did work. So I started accessing the files and doing work. Everything was good until several days ago. I started the morning with the laptop working on files from the PC. When I woke the laptop up that morning, there was a message saying a restart was needed to finish installing updates. I ignored this restart initially and worked on my files. When I was finished working, I restarted the laptop and left it.


When I woke the laptop up later that afternoon and attempted to access the PC files I was met with a Enter Network Credentials password box. It listed my microsoft account email @live.com and the password box and a message under the password stating that "the password of this user has expired". I thought the error message was weird because I log into both the laptop and my PC with my microsoft account and the password worked if I logged out of windows and then logged back in. So I typed in my microsoft password and received the error message "The user name or password is incorrect". I tried every password I could find and I even changed my @live.com password to a new one and nothing worked. I can find no option or screen or opportunity to update my network credentials with a new password. I would assume that the updates I did changed a setting somewhere. That's the only guess I can take seeing that it worked in the morning and quit working after the restart to complete updates. Either that or the update created a bug that's not fixable without a patch from microsoft.

So I now have a new laptop that I cannot get into my PC to access my folders and files I want and a network credentials error I cannot get past.

I assume the red X thru my Z: drive in file explorer is related to the network credentials problem I'm experiencing. The other weird thing is....if I go to my PC and look for my laptop name under networks in file explorer, it's there. I can see my laptop and the folders. So why can i go from the PC to the laptop? But I can't go from the laptop to the PC?

I have made so many changes, tics on and off in so many windows under so many windows processes that I don't know how I would go about undoing them. I'm sure many things I changed probably didn't need to be changed. I would appreciate any suggestions, steps I could take to just fix the Network Credentials error and leave my mess of file sharing system changes alone. Or if someone could help me to just reset everything back to the windows default network settings and the file sharing default settings and then show me the correct changes to make to my laptop to access my PC through the home network and share folders on the PC.

thanks for any help you may have, I attached 3 screenshots of the error boxes I receive.