Need Simple Description Of Setting Up Credential Manager

I understand this is an exceedingly novice request. I would appreciate someone kindly explaining in simple terms (or pointing me to a basic tutorial if it exists) how to use Credential Manager. I have found a few websites that describe it but do not tell me in a very simple and straightforward manner what I need to understand:

I want to access Computer B from Computer A on my LAN via Windows Explorer.

- Is the credential set in Credential Manager on Computer A or on Computer B or on both?
- Is the username the computer name and which computer's?
- Is the password Computer B's logon password or do I just makeup a password?
- Can this be set to automatically use the credentials and not ask me every time to enter credentials?
- What would I have to add to set this up to also work in the reverse direction - just duplicate everything in reverse?

The computers are a mix of Win 7, Win 10 and Win 11, though when there were only Win 7 computers I didn't have to deal with Credential Manager. As I said, I realize this is Shared Computers 101 and most everyone understands it. I know this will take someone's time to post and
I much appreciate that from anyone who will do this.

NewWin11User said:

I want to access Computer B from Computer A on my LAN via Windows Explorer.

- Is the credential set in Credential Manager on Computer A or on Computer B or on both?

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You set up the credential on Computer A, it will use it when trying to access Computer B.

NewWin11User said:

- Is the username the computer name and which computer's?
- Is the password Computer B's logon password or do I just makeup a password?

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The username must be that of an existing account on Computer B, and the password is the one for that account.

NewWin11User said:

- Can this be set to automatically use the credentials and not ask me every time to enter credentials?

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Once you have set up the credential on Computer A it will always use it from then on when trying to connect to Computer B.

NewWin11User said:

- What would I have to add to set this up to also work in the reverse direction - just duplicate everything in reverse?

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On Computer B you'd set up a credential for Computer A using a username and password for an account that exits on Computer A.

NewWin11User said:

The computers are a mix of Win 7, Win 10 and Win 11, though when there were only Win 7 computers I didn't have to deal with Credential Manager....

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Windows 7 and 10 would allow insecure (guest) connections. From 24H2 on Windows 11 by default does not allow these, hence the need to use credentials.

Thank you Bree for your time and clear description. However, when I tried to do that it does not work. I made a credential on Computer A. I put in the Computer B network address as it appears on the LAN (as confirmed in Map Network Drive) and the username of the Computer B user (who is the Admin) and that user's password. When I try to access it from Computer A File Explorer Navigation pane I get Enter Network Password box with the name of the Computer B user but with an error "unknown username or bad password". I entered the password again in the box and now it comes back with the box again but with the username now being "Computer A\Computer B username".

I must be doing something wrong but I don't understand what that is.

Though I followed the instructions posted I still can't get credential Manager to work. Is there a way to disable the credentials requirement in Win 11 so that I could get the other computers on the LAN to access the Win 11 computer?

NewWin11User said:

Though I followed the instructions posted I still can't get credential Manager to work. Is there a way to disable the credentials requirement in Win 11 so that I could get the other computers on the LAN to access the Win 11 computer?

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You'll have to enter the complete URL to each other computer unless it's name is defined in Hosts file. Check if you have password protected sharing turned on in Advanced Network settings and make sure you have actually set a shared folder(s) on each machine with a password allocated.

I bypassed all the credential junk by turning off password protected sharing in all my systems and giving everyone full control. Sharing in Windows is tenuous at best so I didn't want to make it more complicated than it has to be. My situation does not call for it.

Rollback_Jockey: password protected sharing is turned on. Does that mean I have to define a second account with a password on the Win 11 computer? If so, where do I use that?

Glasskuter: How and where did you do that? I already have the sharing on the computers set to full control for everyone on all three computers on the LAN. And I already have password protected sharing turned off on the other two computers (Win 10 and Win 7). The Win 11 shows up in map network drive on the other two computers but can't be accessed.

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After disabling PW proteted sharing, Right click on each shared folder/drive, properties, sharing tab, advanced sharing, permissions. Make sure that Everyone has full read/write permissions.

NewWin11User said:

Rollback_Jockey: password protected sharing is turned on. Does that mean I have to define a second account with a password on the Win 11 computer? If so, where do I use that?

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No, you use the login in details for the computer you wish to share FROM