Windows 11 No connection to Network

Hello, pretty frustrated here.
Running WIN11 V24H2 (OS BUILD 26100.7171)
In our previous house I ran 2 computers, one in the basement for my home theatre/downloads and one in my computer room for work etc etc. On this setup I never had any issues with using both comps to see what was on both systems whether I was on one or the other computer.
We moved a few months ago and I tried to set it up the same way in this house, ie one comp upstairs and one in the basement.
As of now I am unable to see what is on each computer via the Network. Previously I never had to login to access my files/folders.
Now it its asking my to logon and use a password to access my files. I am sure I set everything up the same way as before.
Any help here would be greatly appreciated. I have tried quite a few of the Network Tutorials featured here but none seem to work.

Many thanks!

If it does not show in Network map you can use this method to access the host computer.

You can do one of 2 things: Enable insecure guest logon OR create the necessary credential in each computer for the other computer.

Method 1 - How to enable insecure guest logons (this is NOT recommended):

In Pro

Open Group Policy Editor: Press "Windows key + R", type "gpedit.msc" and press Enter.

• In right pane, Navigate to the setting: "Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Network > Lanman Workstation".
• Enable insecure guest logons: Find "Enable insecure guest logons", select "Enabled", and click "OK".

Make sure these services are set to automatic and running

DNS-Client – Server
Function Discovery Provider Host
Function Discovery Resource Publication
SSDP Discovery
UPNP Device Host and Windows Defender Firewall

In Home

Click the windows key, search for and open PowerShell (run as administrator), enter the following command and press enter:

Set-SmbClientConfiguration -EnableInsecureGuestLogons $true -Force

Set-SmbClientConfiguration -RequireSecuritySignature $false -Force

Set-SmbServerConfiguration -RequireSecuritySignature $false -Force

Restart your computer and check if the problem is solved.

Method #2 CREATE A WINDOWS CREDENTIAL. 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, 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, a credential should still 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.

Example of my credentials, I share between 4 computers so each computer has a credential for the other 3:

skyewasblue said:

Previously I never had to login to access my files/folders.
Now it its asking my to logon and use a password to access my files.

Click to expand...

Can't give you any definitive directions where to look but I'm sure I read somewhere that this requirement was an addition/change in a relatively recent Windows update ...?