Solved W11 Sign in and Network access.

So, I'm old enough to have been through almost every windows iteration and my memory is failing.
I was experimenting with a backup SW and managed to kill the windows installation on my primary PC, of course the backup didn't work either. In the end I had to use my recovery USB to start over. Well almost start over, since it retained my bypass of password and kept the pin. Now my problem and question.

Since W7 I have used a single account, per PC, where I am the admin and defeated password and pin to let my multiple PC's start automatically. I have a Microsoft account for each using different emails since sync creates problems with my icons on different size screens.

I have one PC that I use as a server to store a lot of stuff, but I'm now unable to access it with the new SW build since it wants to know my password for the server.
I haven't used a password for the server or my own PC in years and have no idea what it could be. As you can see below my PC sees the server.



I tried Passfab winkey to remove the password without success, they simply refunded me without answering my question.
So,....... if I don't know or there is no password to enter, how do I get my network connection back?

I have just seen the thread from Denis about creating local accounts but I'm not sure if that would help me in this case.

britgeezer said:

but I'm now unable to access it with the new SW build since it wants to know my password for the server.

Click to expand...

On your server computer press start and type gpedit.msc
run gpedit as Administrator and navigate to:

Computer Configuration/Windows Settings/Security Settings/Local Policies/Security Options/Accounts

On the right find and disable option:
Limit local account use of blank passwords to console logon only

Open command prompt and execute gpupdate.exe or restart server computer.

edit:
I meant "disable", sorry.

zebal said:

On your server computer press start and type gpedit.msc
run gpedit as Administrator and navigate to:

Computer Configuration/Windows Settings/Security Settings/Local Policies/Security Options/Accounts

On the right find and disable option:
Limit local account use of blank passwords to console logon only

Open command prompt and execute gpupdate.exe or restart server computer.

edit:
I meant "disable", sorry.

Click to expand...

Well, I followed your instructions and rebooted, but still can't access my server.
I tried from the server to access my PC and while can see the PC and default and user tabs, all the content folders of default are empty. Although there is some content on the PC. Do I need to make the same change on my PC?

I checked and the line referenced above is disabled, as far as I can tell the subject server folders are still shared (why do they keep changing the setup screens) but now there is no sign of the server under networks from my PC. When I try to open the quick link, I had saved from before it still asks me to enter my credentials.

This rabbit hole is getting deeper.

britgeezer said:

Do I need to make the same change on my PC?

Click to expand...

No need, honestly I never tested this option but I believed it's purpose is for that, you can set it back to enabled.

I'm afraid remote login without password is not possible then.

zebal said:

I'm afraid remote login without password is not possible then.

Click to expand...

Not an issue for me - I just want to access the PC's on my Notwork...
Maybe I need to use local network settings.

britgeezer said:

Not an issue for me - I just want to access the PC's on my Notwork...

Click to expand...

It asks you for password which is basically the same thing as login.

britgeezer said:

Maybe I need to use local network settings.

Click to expand...

You can try, there is an option in network and sharing -> advanced sharing center (in control panel on server, which opens settings in win11) the options is called "password protected sharing".

See this tutorial:

Resolved, I was using my PC name instead of Administrator
Access now OK to server.

britgeezer said:

Resolved, I was using my PC name instead of Administrator
Access now OK to server.

Click to expand...

lol, thank you for feedback, I've learned something new as well.