Unable to connect to Network PC

Kashegan · May 22, 2026

I have 2 Desktop PC's in different arts of the property, both connected to the same WiFi network. Lets call the NewDesktop and OldDesktop. I have the credentials and am able to log onto both PC's, but when I try to connect from one Desktop to the other, over the network, I continually get told that the User Name and/or Password is incorrect. This happens from both PC's. I have turned off Password Protected Sharing, but still have the problem. Can anyone help, please?

Windows 11 Pro. Version 25H2

Quandary · May 22, 2026

Both PC's should be configured to be on Private network: Settings > Network & Internet > Properties. Then from Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings under Private networks Network discovery and File and printer sharing must be on.

May also need to set folder sharing.

Try3 · May 22, 2026

Kashegan said:
Can anyone help, please?

I suggest you work through checking/adjusting each setting.
A consolidated network setup checklist for Windows 10 and 11 - my post #4 - TenForums

Denis

glasskuter · May 22, 2026

Kashegan said:
I have turned off Password Protected Sharing,

Because of tightened security 11 doesn't like it when password protected sharing is turned off.

Try this.
I am assusing you HAVE set up sharing on both machines, both have network set as private, and you have set your shared folder permissions as " Everyone." (correct?)
Set up sharing on whichever user folders you wish. You should not share the entire C drive..
That said, All kinds of networking issues are a result of Microsoft tightening security for Windows 11 24h2 and above.

Create a Windows credential for an account & password on all computers on your network you are sharing files between. It must be a password, not a pin. While you can still use a pin to login to your device, you must restart the device and log into it using a password at least once for this to work.

Even if you are using the same MS account on your other computer, a credential should be created.

In other words, Each computer should have a credential for each of the other computers it is sharing files or printers to/from.
To create a credential:
Go to Control Panel>Credentials> Windows Credentials>add a windows credential

In the "Internet or network address" box, type the name of the computer on the network that you want to access.
In the User name and Password boxes, type the user name and password that you use for that computer, and then click OK.
Note: It must be a password, not a pin

HTA · May 22, 2026

Is the new desktop a clone of the old desktop?

Kashegan · May 25, 2026

glasskuter said:
Because of tightened security 11 doesn't like it when password protected sharing is turned off.

Try this.
I am assusing you HAVE set up sharing on both machines, both have network set as private, and you have set your shared folder permissions as " Everyone." (correct?)
Set up sharing on whichever user folders you wish. You should not share the entire C drive..
That said, All kinds of networking issues are a result of Microsoft tightening security for Windows 11 24h2 and above.

Create a Windows credential for an account & password on all computers on your network you are sharing files between. It must be a password, not a pin. While you can still use a pin to login to your device, you must restart the device and log into it using a password at least once for this to work.

Even if you are using the same MS account on your other computer, a credential should be created.

In other words, Each computer should have a credential for each of the other computers it is sharing files or printers to/from.
To create a credential:
Go to Control Panel>Credentials> Windows Credentials>add a windows credential

In the "Internet or network address" box, type the name of the computer on the network that you want to access.
In the User name and Password boxes, type the user name and password that you use for that computer, and then click OK.
Note: It must be a password, not a pin

Can't set a password. Accessing the Credential Manager results in an error message: Error Code 080070425 , service cannot accept control messages at this time?

Asus272 · May 25, 2026

I found it easier to create a local user account on my 6 pc's and use those to remote in from one to another. You must use a real password instead of a pin number for Windows Hello in order for it to work. Since I'm the only user all 6 PC's have the same ID and password. My online password is protected by Yubikey.

spapakons · May 25, 2026

The username asked is that of the remote computer, not the local computer. Typing the username directly might not work, try adding the remote computer name, such as

remotepc\username

This implies both computers have network set to private, enabled file sharing and you have granted at least read access to the shared folder for the specific user. Yes, you can remove password in Windows 11 sharing, but you have to grant full access to Everyone on the shared folder, both from sharing settings and from security settings. Also you must configure both computers to share without password, not only one of them.

Also see this thread:

Bug Report - Unable to connect to shared folders after installing Windows 11 25H2

I recently clean installed Windows 11 25H2 on two laptops, one Windows 11 compliant (HP 250 generation 10 with 13th generation Intel Core-i3) and one unsupported (4th generation Intel Core-i3). Both had the same bug. I switched the network to private so I could connect to my main PC (see 2nd...

www.elevenforum.com

pseymour · May 25, 2026

Kashegan said:
Can't set a password. Accessing the Credential Manager results in an error message: Error Code 080070425 , service cannot accept control messages at this time?

Is the Credential Manager service working? Search your Start menu for Services (the icon is two little gears). Open that, and verify that Credential Manager is set to start manually and is running.

Unable to connect to Network PC

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