How to get Win11 n Win10 PCs on LAN to see and share drives, files, folders

I used to be able to get two pcs networked together to share drives, files, folders. I couldn't get the networking/sharing etc to persist if I restarted the PCs, but I could get it to work. Now, I try everything from every article I read and I can't get them to see each other and share drives, files, and folders. I tried again today and lost internet connectivity on the main PC I work on. It took half an hour to get it back.

Most any article or post on it comes with incomplete or unclear instructions. I need an exhaustive, step-by-step guide, including all the stupid stuff you would think people know but don't. I have done a lot with PCs as a technician. This has remained a major pain in my butt.

The benefit to networking them is that if the main PC has issues, I can start work using the other PC, get access to stuff on the main PC, and perhaps have an easier time fixing the issues on the main PC from the second PC. I use it for business.

The other PC is an HP Omni, Windows 10. Specs are
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-7700K CPU @ 4.20GHz 4.20 GHz
64.0 GB
MB: 830C

Hi, welcome to the forum

geercom said:

Now, I try everything from every article I read and I can't get them to see each other and share drives, files, and folders

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Are you getting any messages from Windows when trying to connect? Like incorrect credential message or the likes?

There is something you might try if you’re getting a failed credential message.

I keep coming across this issue a lot, not just here.

There are two reasons (that I am aware of) that may cause this.
Disabling pin login on the PC could fix

There has been a report of bugs when using RDP, they’re is related to Pin login.

What I do find that has helped me and others I have talked to:

• If the remote computer you are trying to connect/login to is using a Pin and not password login, you will possibly need to jump on that PC and sign out.
  
  
• Now sign back into the PC using that computers Windows User/Password. (Image below)
  
  
  
  
  
• This sign-in option will not be available if you turned on For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device. (Info below)
  
  
• So make sure these are off

• Now try to connect again with remote desktop (or your preferred method) from your PC.
  • You should only need to do this once, future connections should work even if the remote computer is using a pin.

• I think in short: Temporarily disable Windows Hello and login to target PC with the user/pass

It’s going to sound dumb the way I explain it (for lack of know a better way to do so)
By logging into the PC with a user pass, you are reminding the PC of what its user/pass is. Because if it doesn’t know it’s own user/pass, it can hardly allow a remote computer to use them as credentials.
Yes… in my experience after using a Pin, either from get go install or after a long absence, a PC can disassociate the user/pass. I don’t know why, it’s just something I have come across personally and with others.
It is a possible fix.
It may very well be something else entirely.

Further reading: (This sign-in option will not be available if you turned on For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device.)

antspants said:

Hi, welcome to the forum



Are you getting any messages from Windows when trying to connect? Like incorrect credential message or the likes?

Click to expand...

Hi Antspants, no, no error messages.

check @Wolfzz post there