Windows 10: Windows 11 disappears from network when password protected sharing is turned off

I'm trying to share a single folder on my local LAN with no password requirement, which used to be easy to do back on Windows 7 and I don't really recall doing this during my time using Windows 10, but now on windows 11, whenever I disable password protected file sharing the computer disappears from the network, and other computers get a 0x80070035 when they try to access the shared path. The network is set to private on both computers, and the sharing works perfectly fine if I just turn on password protected file sharing. How can I share a folder publicly on the my LAN?

:)

 

Turn on password protected sharing over Network sharing.

Hi Jerry,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

We understand your concern. We recommend you to follow the steps mentioned below to turn on password protected sharing over a network.

1. Open Control Panel.

2. Click on Network and Sharing Center.

3. Click on Change advanced sharing settings on the left pane.

4. Expand All Networks profile.

5. Check the radio button behind Turn on password protected sharing.

6. Click on Save changes.

We also recommend you to refer
Files Sharing over a network in Windows 10 for more detailed information.

Regards,

 

Cannot turn off the password protected sharing. The option for password protected sharing is not there

Hi Ankit,

Is this the exact process/steps you are using?

Open Control Panel

Go to Network and Sharing Center

Select Change advanced sharing settings in the left pane

Expand the network you want to disable password protected sharing on by clicking the down arrow on the right of the profile

Select 'Turn off password protected sharing' and then click Save changes.

 

Network Sharing prompts for password (Password protected sharing turned off) - Windows 10

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



As you’ve already turned off password protected sharing, this issue could be due to the incorrect cached credentials stored on the PC. I suggest you to try the steps listed below and check if it works.

• Open Control Panel and categorize to view by
  small icons.
  
• Click on User Accounts and choose your
  User Name.
  
• On the left pane, click on Manage your credentials.
  Under Windows Credentials, remove the shared computer credentials and save the changes.
  
• Exit Control Panel and restart the machine to see if the issue persists.
  

Let us know how it goes.

Regards,