Odd problem connection to shares on a Win 11 system

hsehestedt · Sep 20, 2021

On my home network, I have a number of systems all in a workgroup.

I have a share on a machine running Windows 11 to which I have given "Everyone" full control.

In advanced sharing settings, under "All Networks", I have turned off password protected sharing.

In Windows 10, this would allow anyone on the network to connect to my share regardless of whether they have an account on my system or not. However, with Windows 11 those users now get an "Access denied".

Note that if I try to connect with a user name that does have an account on the Windows 11 system, it works.

The fact that users with an account on my system can connect at least tells me that the fundamentals like network sharing, firewall settings, name resolution, etc. all all working. Only difference is that "everyone" is not working as expected when "password protected sharing" is disabled.

Is anyone aware of some change in behavior in this regard on Windows 11?

clam1952 · Sep 21, 2021

Yes I have, same problem however unticking "Users must enter a username and password" in Netplwiz allowed password less access from all PCs on my Network. Probably not an ideal solution, saving the password seems to be a safer method if you need a login to the PCs. It seems to be related to using Microsoft Accounts.

hsehestedt · Sep 21, 2021

I tested this on a several systems now and have the same problem on each system. It really seems like password protected sharing is now enforced even though the setting to turn it off is still physically there in the UI.

I created a new user account and disabled the ability for that account to logon locally and the share can now be accessed using the credentials for that account.

clam1952 · Sep 21, 2021

Question would be is it intentional? In which case why hasn't there been any indication from Microsoft, leastwise not that I can find or is it actually a bug.

hsehestedt · Sep 21, 2021

If it was intentional I would expect that setting to be removed from the UI. Oh well, we'll just wait and see.

Dru2 · Sep 22, 2021

clam1952 said:
Question would be is it intentional? In which case why hasn't there been any indication from Microsoft, leastwise not that I can find or is it actually a bug.

hsehestedt said:
If it was intentional I would expect that setting to be removed from the UI. Oh well, we'll just wait and see.

The issue "might" have to do with that "Zero Trust" thing Microsoft keeps harping on (as is the insistence of the TPM) where enhanced security on Windows 11 seems to be top priority

But that's simply a guess. @Brink might know more.

johnlgalt · Sep 23, 2021

hsehestedt said:
If it was intentional I would expect that setting to be removed from the UI. Oh well, we'll just wait and see.

Stranger things have happened though. Lol.

Dzomlija · Oct 19, 2021

The issues I'm having with Windows 11 networking is connecting to my Windows 10 computer using the UNC Name "\\COMPUTERNAME\SHARENAME" which does not always work and asks for credentials that never work. I can sometimes get in this way, but that usually involved me re-starting Windows 11 or worst-case scenario resetting the network.

Both the Windows 10 machine and the Windows 11 machine startup and login using the same Microsoft Account.

The only way to get into the Windows 10 machine without asking for credentials is to use the IP address "\\192.168.1.XXX\SHARENAME"

Any ideas?

johnlgalt · Oct 19, 2021

Have you perchance noticed any sort of time frame as to when it is usable when using Computer Name versus when it is not?

I wonder if the router is simply dropping the information after a specific time so it is no longer usable for browsing (if that is even such a thing).

Bree · Oct 19, 2021

Dzomlija said:
The issues I'm having with Windows 11 networking is connecting to my Windows 10 computer using the UNC Name "\\COMPUTERNAME\SHARENAME" which does not always work and asks for credentials that never work. I can sometimes get in this way, but that usually involved me re-starting Windows 11 or worst-case scenario resetting the network.

I don't find this to be a problem specific to 11, I've seen the same where both machines were running 10.

On the machine you are trying to connect to, open Network and Sharing Centre, click 'Change advanced sharing settings' and under 'All networks' turn off Password protected sharing. I have a mixed network of W7/8/10/11 machines and have turned it off on all of them, they can all connect to each other.

johnlgalt · Oct 19, 2021

That is much more logical. lol.

Dzomlija · Oct 19, 2021

Unfortunately, turning off password protected sharing is not an option, because I use it provide either Read-Only or Full Access to the various shares on the network.

Bree · Oct 20, 2021

Dzomlija said:
Unfortunately, turning off password protected sharing is not an option, because I use it provide either Read-Only or Full Access to the various shares on the network.

Yes it is, you still have full control over who gets access. Access is still controled by the Share permissions and NTFS permissions of the folders being shared.

Dzomlija · Oct 20, 2021

Bree said:
Yes it is, you still have full control over who gets access. Access is still controled by the Share permissions and NTFS permissions of the folders being shared.

I guess I'm a little old-school, because using password-protected sharing in my instance makes things easier to manage.

My main machine has my primary user account that only I use, and several secondary local standard accounts for network users. Any guests I have are unable to even access any network resources unless I provide them with the appropriate username and password. And even then, they will be limited to access only those shares to which their room account has been given permission.

When they leave, I just change the password of the room account to prevent further access. Much easier to manage.

spapakons · Nov 19, 2021

I have seen cases in Windows 10 when a computer doesn't even appear on Networks. Using \\computername as an address, doesn't always work. Once I run network diagnostics the problem is fixed and I can access it. Also there is a specific service that advertises the computer's resources (Function Discovery Resource Publication). If this service doesn't run, most likely the computer doesn't appear on the Network and cannot be easily accessed. If you run this service the computer appears and you can access it.

Odd problem connection to shares on a Win 11 system

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