Can't access C drive on network computer

I suggest you start again. Check every setting in every computer.
A consolidated network setup checklist for Windows 10 and 11 - my post #4 - TenForums
But don't complicate matters by trying to share a drive with an OS on it. Share something you have full control over such as your Documents, Music, ... folders or that one folder you want backed up [you don't mention where that folder is].


Best of luck,
Denis

Somehow I fixed it by right clicking C drive and adjusting Security and also Sharing. On Security I got to the advanced setting where you see the "Find" button. I clicked that I found Everyone and added it. Previously it was there under Sharing, but maybe it wasn't there under security.

I also checked my Advanced Network settings and found some of those were changed by other things I was trying. So essentially I fixed it with just these 2 methods and didn't have to create a Shared User account or Workgroup. I have password protected sharing off, like I wanted to. I can now access my C drive on the Laptop. Yet I can't access some Windows specific folders like Users. That's 1 folder I'd like to access so I can back it up

I have a new Win 11 all in one computer that I'll set up the same network settings and see if I can duplicate it

Sharing settings are one thing, but I hope you did not change ownership of system files. If so, there is no telling what problems you will encounter, so I hope you imaged your system first.
Just my opinion but I can see no possible reason why anyone would want or need to share operating system files.

I have a 5 computer home network and share files. I've been backing up my Win 10 User files for many years. Why can't I do that with Win 11?

GerryPeters said:

I've been backing up my Win 10 User files for many years. Why can't I do that with Win 11?

Click to expand...

I'm sorry but I don't understand what you mean by "backing up user files" (unless your are talking about backing up to onedrive) and why sharing user files makes you think you have to share your entire system drive.

As long as your files reside locally inside the folders at c:\users\yourusername\ the solution is to share just your user folder using simple file sharing. You must verify WHERE your files are stored.
You can do this by right click on folder (example documents)select properties, location tab.

For folders with a default location of onedrive. (This is what I suspect is your case and the reason why you are having issues)
If you use a MS account, the default location of your documents, desktop, pictures, and videos folders is onedrive. These files are not on your system drive. You can not share these folders/files using simple file sharing but like this.
Share OneDrive Files and Folders in Windows 11 Tutorial


The following applies to user files stored locally within the local user folders.

Turn on network discovery and file sharing. Your network MUST be private. How to Turn on Network Discovery and File Sharing in Windows 11 - MiniTool

Share a folder or file stored locally

To share a file or folder over a network in File Explorer, do the following:

1. Right-click (or long-press) a file, and then select Show more options > Give access to > Specific people.
   
   
2. Select a user on the network to share the file with, or select Everyone to give all network users access to the file.

If you select multiple files at once, you can share them all in the same way. It works for folders, too—share a folder, and all files in it will be shared.

I'm not sure what change ownership of system files means or how to do it. I only altered the C drive settings by right-clicking it and going to Security and Sharing and allowing "Everyone" access.

I did image the drive

Did you verify that onedrive is not involved as I pointed out in post #25?

I've always avoided using OneDrive, maybe I should reconsider. I just logged into OneDrive on this computer and there are no files backed up there. Nothing that I put there either. There are no folders with a default location of one drive on this computer. The folders are all on my HD as far as I know. If I can backup my Users folder to OneDrive that would solve most of what I'm trying to do.

>>As long as your files reside locally inside the folders at c:\users\yourusername\ the solution is to share just your user folder using simple file sharing. You must verify WHERE your files are stored.
You can do this by right click on folder (example documents)select properties, location tab.<<
<<

.

On my computer, properties, location tab is available for "Documents" folder but not for "Users" or my name under Users.

You must set Everyone on Security tab (right click on folder to share - Properties - Security - set everyone permission)

GerryPeters said:

On my computer, properties, location tab is available for "Documents" folder but not for "Users" or my name under Users.

Click to expand...

That's normal.


Denis

GerryPeters said:

If I can backup my Users folder to OneDrive that would solve most of what I'm trying to do.

Click to expand...

Keep in mind you have 5 gb of free onedrive storage. If the size of the folders you want to sync to onedrive exceeds that, you will have to purchase additional onedrive storage.

My email folder is 67 Gigs and stored on the Laptop's C drive in a folder I created. At first I was unable to access it in my network, but now I'm able to access it. So I'm looking into using one drive to backup those folders that are permitted. It's seems Win 11 is much more cautious than Win 10, which is fine for less knowledgeable users, but it seems they would make it easier for us that are used to backing up over a network, instead of all these roadblocks.

GerryPeters said:

I'm looking into using one drive to backup those folders

Click to expand...

That definitely exceeds the 5gb of free storage included with your MS account. It's my understanding only 365 users can purchase more onedrive space. (this is confirmed by Paul Thurrott.)

You would need to purchase Microsoft 365 personal plan, $69.99 per year includes 1 tb onedrive storage

OR disable Onedrive in Windows and use another cloud storage provider such as Google Drive Upgrade Your Cloud Storage - Google One

I won't be using one drive to backup my 67 Gigs email folder. I can now back that up using my network backup for 5 computers. I would like to use one drive for the My docs, etc folders. They are pretty small