Access issues on Windows 11 prevent sharing files or folders.
Access issues on Windows 11 prevent sharing files or folders.
I possess three Windows 11 computers and frequently struggle to connect to shared resources. Discovery of networks is active, file and print sharing are enabled. My current profile is set to PRIVATE and protected sharing has been disabled. The only consistent outcome is being prompted for a username and password when entering a share I created or the default C$ share. When I input credentials I know exist on that machine, they simply return with the same request. Windows prioritizes security, yet I've relied on network shares for more than fifteen years and now encounter problems.
In the Event Viewer, an entry appears: "Account failed to log on." Details show a Security ID of NULL, no account name, and a failure reason indicating an unknown username or incorrect password. Status is 0xC000006D, with process info revealing a network connection attempt from DESKTOP-GRICN38. The system logs suggest it's either trying to access the local machine or a remote service.
This typically happens when Windows blocks shares for safety reasons. Despite being able to use IP addresses and computer names, sharing still triggers authentication prompts. I've tested using IP and computer name, created new users, and even turned off the firewall, but the issue persists. My desktops are all connected via the same switch, yet I can access Unraid shares without trouble while Windows 11 blocks them.
I believe the error message is too straightforward. Let's determine the correct credentials. You should probably input your Windows username and password, not the login code.
It might just be the precise cause for why it isn't functioning.
Consider involving all participants in adding their read and write permissions. Adding the other PCs' users manually would be complicated. Make sure to include everyone in your ACL, or enable the administrator account and log in with the appropriate credentials. Use the right password for security.
Sorry for the additional details. I use one username and password across all my devices. It appears as a local name in system management on every workstation using the same credentials. I've also granted "everyone" read/write access along with security settings. At work, I stick to domain/username or computer/username depending on the environment, which works fine there. I'll test the protected sharing to see if it affects things.