Network file sharing not working between Windows 11 & Windows 10

I had the same problem with a new Windows 11 desktop and a Windows 10 laptop. Windows 10 could not see shared folders on Windows 11. I went through the steps listed in this link below on my Windows 11 desktop and everything works fine now.

Can't access shared folders from File Explorer - Windows Client | Microsoft Learn

I had the same Issue: a Windows 10 Laptop cannot access to Windows 11 shared folder. Windows 10 keeps on asking for password even though I set on both machines to allow unprotected access.

The cause is using an administrative account bound to Microsoft account (@outlook.com) e using PIN instead of Password.

To solve I have created a new administrative account on Windows 11 desktop, Local (without Microsoft account) and using Password and not Windows Hello PIN.

Finally it solves, I would like to thank you all of you!

Best Regards,

A.

Yes the reason why is the Windows has become worse and worse at networking with each new release.

In my case for some reason (likely the overly complex and opaque security system that keeps you out of your systems while allowing other in), the computer you are signed in on doesn't realize that it was the one that signed onto the network resources. So, after resetting the network cards, rebooting the server and other computers on the network including the one I was using to try and access the network, it turns out the solution is rather simple.

I simply booted the machine up. Logged in with my account and then explicitly logged out. When I logged back in I could access the network.

Now when I say this fixed the system I get about as much network connectivity as Windows 3.1. But at least I can access files on my server. Accessing this machine for other machines - well that is just asking too much from Windows 11.

Oh yeah, an using a Microsoft Account makes your machines super difficult for you to use but really easy for Microsoft to spy on you.

I have just joined this thread I am having the problem as outlined above i.e. Network Error "Windows cannot access \DELLCOMPUTER...You do not have permission to access \DELLCOMPUTER. Contact your network administrator to request access."

I have been able to share files over a network of Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro, however on my Windows 11 Machine whilst I can access files from Windows 10, I cannot access files from the Windows 11 Computer to my Windows 10 Computers.

I have run through all of the above and reset the router but the error message still appears. Is this a bug or has Microsoft purposely made life difficult to drive everybody to use OneDrive? Can anybody assist or have a fix to get around this issue?

Hi SteffJay. You probably have tried resetting your router and anything else in the network which is part of the connection chain, like wifi repeaters if in the loop, but if not it may be worth a shot. My problems were resolved once I sorted out all the permission issues, which Microsoft seems to have introduced in W11 to make home networking anything but straightforward, but at the end of the day I had to reboot my router, reset a repeater, and **wait** for the router to catch up. That took a few hours. Networking depends on the router at least as much as on the PC(s).