Here is short description how I get my network sharing work with Windows 10 v1803. (I haven't never use Homegroup so I start directly from step 2.) Only for those PC's which are still using Windows 10 v1709 or older: Disconnect from non-existing Homegroup if you have used it. 2.1. All PC's: Check Network profile and Network discovery and Share settings Sometimes this selection to change between Private and Public network profile is missing from Settings / Networks page. In that case profile must change by PowerShell. Right Click Windows Icon (Start button) and open PowerShell (Admin) and use following commands to get interface index number and change profile to Private (or Public): Get-NetConnectionProfile Set-NetConnectionProfile -InterfaceIndex <index number> -NetworkCategory Private 2.2. All PC's: Check Network Discovery and Share settings https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/f7770a4f-8e37-48c9-a436-2fe4e8e12ca0?platform=QnA All PC's: Set Start type to Automatic and start following services that allow PC's to be visible on Network. (Reboot.) Push Win Key and type "Services", locate these services. - Function Discovery Provider Host - Function Discovery Resource Publication - SSDP Discovery UPnP Device Host Setting shares. 4.1. Check your current shares. Open file explorer and type \localhost to address bar to see what shares are made in this computer. ![](https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/d9a66593-0cd1-499b-908f-36a6854f27c1?platform=QnA 4.2. Create new share (here I use folder "Test"). (Setting "Turn on sharing so anyone …" in Step 2.2. make share for folders in C:\Users automatic.) Folder is now shared and Network share path is: \PCNAME\Test 4.3. Safe way to share folders. Create user account to all users on your network to whom you want to give access to shared resources. Use same user ID and password which they have on their own computers. Right click "Test" and open Properties and select Security tab to see current settings. Default security settings are shown in next picture. Those settings allow access to shared folder(s) only for those users who have user ID on that computer. 4.4. Sharing folder "Test" to Everyone" (Very unsafe setting! Think carefully do you need to select this!) If you want that everyone have access to that share then go to Security tab and: Click Edit On Permission dialog click Add. New dialog open and you can add "Everyone" to that list https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/c1f22caa-ec01-4f49-8c76-01b18ed8061f?platform=QnA When back to Permissions dialog select which rights you want to give to "Everyone". Now anyone on your home network should have access to shared folders without credentials or having user account on your computer. Now when click Network on File Explorer all your PC's should be visible in Computer and Network sections. This should be cover the essentials to sharing your data over local network. This share is not limited to C:\Users folder, every folder can be handled like shown in steps 4. Now your PC's should visible, but if not then try to reset all network settings: Go to Settings / Network & Internet / Status, scroll down to find "Network reset, on next window click "Reset Now" button. It will takes about 5 min to perform this reset and then PC reboot automatic. When you sing in first time you get notification something like "Do you want your PC to be access by other computers", click Yes for that. If you get error message "Windows cannot access \PC_NAME" when you try to connect shared folders then continue to step 6. There is some bug on Windows 10 1803 and because of that PC's can't always connect to each other by Name. If you get error "\PCNAME path not found" you can solve this by adding your PC's and IP-addresses to hosts file. 6.1 New routers (or modems) may have feature to remember which IP-addresses are assign to each device, but with older routers (or modems) you have to check that your router or modem is set give predefined IP-addresses linked to each PC's MAC-address. This way PC's will get same IP-address every time when it ask IP-address form router (or modem) DHCP-server. There should be some kind of list of PC names with MAC addresses and given IP-addresses of each connected PC. Picture show that list on my router. In my case with old router I had to select manual assignment in each line. 6.2. Add all PC's IP-addresses and Names to hosts file (C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts). You can check your IP-address and PC's name by opening command prompt (CMD) For IP-address type command: ipconfig you get line like this: IPv4 Address ………. 192.168.100.101 For PC name type command: hostname Write down IP-address and Name of each PC and add those to that hosts file. To edit copy hosts file to some another location, right click it and use notepad to edit and save it. Replace original file with edited file. Because hosts file is located on system folder replace will ask administrators rights to perform it. localhost name resolution is handled within DNS itself. # 127.0.0.1 localhost # ::1 localhost 192.168.100.101 PC1 # Ethernet 192.168.100.102 PC2 # Ethernet 192.168.100.202 PC2 # Wi-Fi

Hi I have set the settings and permissions with everyone but when I try to access the computer via the network tab on file explorer I got this Network Error Windows cannot access \PCNAME You do not have permission to access \PCNAME. contact your network administrator to request access. but when I try to type the address on the address (same as above \PCNAME) bar I can access the folder.

Let's keep it civil and focused on the fixes. This thread is being used as a tracking thread for the issue, elevated in MVP channels. I am removing extraneous and off-topic posts.

OK I searched for how this host file works, names and ip address in here have preference over the normal look up service. Currently there is nothing in my file but comments.

Pauli O, Sorry, it's been a while since your last reply. I've had some other things come up. I really appreciate your time and patience. It was very late last night and I just wasn't comprehending your instructions. Now I'm rested and my brain is functioning again! Your reexplanation made much more sense to me today. I undid the things I did last night and properly followed the steps in altering the hosts -file. I now have the hosts -file in C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc location on each machine I'm networking. It now has the table included properly in that file. I was able to save it in a public folder and easily copy it into the C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc location on each machine. Quite simple when you can actually comprehend what was being done. And that's my issue, not yours. In answer to your latest question, I have a rather obtuse setup. My internet provider is AT&T DSL. We live in a rural area and its the best I can do here. So I have the AT&T Modum/router with built-in Wi-Fi. My wife has a home business that requires high security. I have the house ethernet hard-wired to all the rooms. I have several printers and scanners of varying models and age, networked. The house has 4 levels and several rooms on each level. It was built as a Smart Home about 10 years ago although we have only recently purchased it. This means there are Z-wave switches everywhere and the house has two separate built-in Wi-Fi access points that were used for the Smart house operation. The smart functions were originally controlled by proprietary software developed by a company called Lagotek that has gone out of business. They seemed to have just evaporated so it is impossible to replace the failing controllers. There were three of those controllers built into the house along with a proprietary tablet that also no longer functions. Oh yeah, the original internet provider was a Wi-Fi internet provider that is also no longer in business. So I have a Wi-Fi antenna bolted to the roof that is proprietary to that company and is no longer technically viable. Obviously, the technology that the house uses is quite dated. Then there is the separate outbuilding that functions as a game room/ home theater. DirectTV adds to the mess since has its own bridge and mini-genies that send signals to other parts of the house. I have a separate newer multiband Wi-Fi router that is hard wired to the IP providers Router. Obviously, that creates its own set of problems. Double NAT for instance. And there is no need for anyone to go into all the ways to set up multiple routers. I am completely familiar with them and each set-up has its own characteristics that may or may not work with my set-up. I use the newer router as an isolated Wi-Fi section so that everything that is connected to it can not see any of the home business devices. Some of the devices have to be used for both personal and business use. What I have usually been able to accomplish over the years of everchanging Windows is to keep all the devices on the sub-router communicating and sharing quite nicely. Every new Windows version has changed how I am able to do that, some better than others. 1803 has been especially problematic. Now that I have correctly implemented your method I can say that I am getting the connections I want, the way I need them to work. Thanks again, I highly recommend this thread. Now @seahawks65: I have set up the desktop shortcuts the way you recommend. They work perfectly. I have told you that in your thread. And for anyone reading this far, let me say that his very thorough explanation does indeed work. It isn't very difficult to do. Way simpler in practice than reading the procedure itself. So once again let me pat you on your head, You seem to desperately need the affirmation. I will also continue to recommend your thread. It does work. But please don't tell me to forget network folder exists. I have my reasons to make that folder function properly. I will not attempt to make you comprehend them. You won't even make the effort. But thanks for playing. Edit 6-24-2018 It appears that seahawks65 has run afoul of some rules here and his posts are no longer showing in any of the threads. If he isn't allowed back I will remove my comment directed at him since it doesn't make sense. Edit 6-27-2018 It looks like seahawks65 got the ban hammer wielded his way. Now his posts are just listed as A. User but they are now visible again. That is less confusing. Thanks Mods.

Homegroup removed! How to get network sharing work with Windows 10 v1803.

Anonymous

Here is short description how I get my network sharing work with Windows 10 v1803.

(I haven't never use Homegroup so I start directly from step 2.)

Only for those PC's which are still using Windows 10 v1709 or older:

Disconnect from non-existing Homegroup if you have used it.

2.1. All PC's: Check Network profile and Network discovery and Share settings

Sometimes this selection to change between Private and Public network profile is missing from Settings / Networks page. In that case profile must change by PowerShell. Right Click Windows Icon (Start button) and open PowerShell (Admin) and use following commands to get interface index number and change profile to Private (or Public):

Get-NetConnectionProfile

Set-NetConnectionProfile -InterfaceIndex <index number> -NetworkCategory Private

2.2. All PC's: Check Network Discovery and Share settings

https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/f7770a4f-8e37-48c9-a436-2fe4e8e12ca0?platform=QnA

All PC's: Set Start type to Automatic and start following services that allow PC's to be visible on Network. (Reboot.)

Push Win Key and type "Services", locate these services.

- Function Discovery Provider Host

- Function Discovery Resource Publication

- SSDP Discovery

UPnP Device Host

Setting shares.

4.1. Check your current shares.

Open file explorer and type \localhost to address bar to see what shares are made in this computer.

![](https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/d9a66593-0cd1-499b-908f-36a6854f27c1?platform=QnA

4.2. Create new share (here I use folder "Test").

(Setting "Turn on sharing so anyone …" in Step 2.2. make share for folders in C:\Users automatic.)

Folder is now shared and Network share path is: \PCNAME\Test

4.3. Safe way to share folders.

Create user account to all users on your network to whom you want to give access to shared resources.

Use same user ID and password which they have on their own computers.

Right click "Test" and open Properties and select Security tab to see current settings.

Default security settings are shown in next picture.

Those settings allow access to shared folder(s) only for those users who have user ID on that computer.

4.4. Sharing folder "Test" to Everyone" (Very unsafe setting! Think carefully do you need to select this!)

If you want that everyone have access to that share then go to Security tab and:

Click Edit
On Permission dialog click Add.
New dialog open and you can add "Everyone" to that list https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/c1f22caa-ec01-4f49-8c76-01b18ed8061f?platform=QnA

When back to Permissions dialog select which rights you want to give to "Everyone".

Now anyone on your home network should have access to shared folders without credentials or having user account on your computer.

Now when click Network on File Explorer all your PC's should be visible in Computer and Network sections.

This should be cover the essentials to sharing your data over local network. This share is not limited to C:\Users folder, every folder can be handled like shown in steps 4.

Now your PC's should visible, but if not then try to reset all network settings:

Go to Settings / Network & Internet / Status, scroll down to find "Network reset, on next window click "Reset Now" button.

It will takes about 5 min to perform this reset and then PC reboot automatic.

When you sing in first time you get notification something like "Do you want your PC to be access by other computers", click Yes for that.

If you get error message "Windows cannot access \PC_NAME" when you try to connect shared folders then continue to step 6.

There is some bug on Windows 10 1803 and because of that PC's can't always connect to each other by Name.

If you get error "\PCNAME path not found" you can solve this by adding your PC's and IP-addresses to hosts file.

6.1 New routers (or modems) may have feature to remember which IP-addresses are assign to each device, but with older routers (or modems) you have to check that your router or modem is set give predefined IP-addresses linked to each PC's MAC-address.

This way PC's will get same IP-address every time when it ask IP-address form router (or modem) DHCP-server.

There should be some kind of list of PC names with MAC addresses and given IP-addresses of each connected PC.

Picture show that list on my router. In my case with old router I had to select manual assignment in each line.

6.2. Add all PC's IP-addresses and Names to hosts file (C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts).

You can check your IP-address and PC's name by opening command prompt (CMD)

For IP-address type command: ipconfig you get line like this: IPv4 Address ………. 192.168.100.101

For PC name type command: hostname

Write down IP-address and Name of each PC and add those to that hosts file.

To edit copy hosts file to some another location, right click it and use notepad to edit and save it. Replace original file with edited file. Because hosts file is located on system folder replace will ask administrators rights to perform it.

localhost name resolution is handled within DNS itself.

# 127.0.0.1 localhost

# ::1 localhost

192.168.100.101 PC1 # Ethernet

192.168.100.102 PC2 # Ethernet

192.168.100.202 PC2 # Wi-Fi

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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326 answers

Anonymous

2018-07-10T07:46:22+00:00

Hi I have set the settings and permissions with everyone but when I try to access the computer via the network tab on file explorer I got this

Network Error

Windows cannot access \PCNAME

You do not have permission to access \PCNAME. contact your network administrator to request access.

but when I try to type the address on the address (same as above \PCNAME) bar I can access the folder.
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Anonymous

2018-06-19T15:37:36+00:00

Let's keep it civil and focused on the fixes. This thread is being used as a tracking thread for the issue, elevated in MVP channels. I am removing extraneous and off-topic posts.
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Anonymous

2018-06-18T19:32:31+00:00

OK I searched for how this host file works, names and ip address in here have preference over the normal look up service. Currently there is nothing in my file but comments.
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Anonymous

2018-06-17T22:29:27+00:00
Pauli O,

Sorry, it's been a while since your last reply. I've had some other things come up. I really appreciate your time and patience. It was very late last night and I just wasn't comprehending your instructions. Now I'm rested and my brain is functioning again! Your reexplanation made much more sense to me today.

I undid the things I did last night and properly followed the steps in altering the hosts -file. I now have the hosts -file in

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc location on each machine I'm networking. It now has the table included properly in that file. I was able to save it in a public folder and easily copy it into the C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc location on each machine. Quite simple when you can actually comprehend what was being done. And that's my issue, not yours.

In answer to your latest question, I have a rather obtuse setup. My internet provider is AT&T DSL. We live in a rural area and its the best I can do here. So I have the AT&T Modum/router with built-in Wi-Fi. My wife has a home business that requires high security. I have the house ethernet hard-wired to all the rooms. I have several printers and scanners of varying models and age, networked.

The house has 4 levels and several rooms on each level. It was built as a Smart Home about 10 years ago although we have only recently purchased it. This means there are Z-wave switches everywhere and the house has two separate built-in Wi-Fi access points that were used for the Smart house operation. The smart functions were originally controlled by proprietary software developed by a company called Lagotek that has gone out of business. They seemed to have just evaporated so it is impossible to replace the failing controllers. There were three of those controllers built into the house along with a proprietary tablet that also no longer functions. Oh yeah, the original internet provider was a Wi-Fi internet provider that is also no longer in business. So I have a Wi-Fi antenna bolted to the roof that is proprietary to that company and is no longer technically viable. Obviously, the technology that the house uses is quite dated. Then there is the separate outbuilding that functions as a game room/ home theater. DirectTV adds to the mess since has its own bridge and mini-genies that send signals to other parts of the house.

I have a separate newer multiband Wi-Fi router that is hard wired to the IP providers Router. Obviously, that creates its own set of problems. Double NAT for instance. And there is no need for anyone to go into all the ways to set up multiple routers. I am completely familiar with them and each set-up has its own characteristics that may or may not work with my set-up.

I use the newer router as an isolated Wi-Fi section so that everything that is connected to it can not see any of the home business devices. Some of the devices have to be used for both personal and business use. What I have usually been able to accomplish over the years of everchanging Windows is to keep all the devices on the sub-router communicating and sharing quite nicely. Every new Windows version has changed how I am able to do that, some better than others. 1803 has been especially problematic.

Now that I have correctly implemented your method I can say that I am getting the connections I want, the way I need them to work. Thanks again, I highly recommend this thread.

Now @seahawks65:

I have set up the desktop shortcuts the way you recommend. They work perfectly. I have told you that in your thread. And for anyone reading this far, let me say that his very thorough explanation does indeed work. It isn't very difficult to do. Way simpler in practice than reading the procedure itself. So once again let me pat you on your head, You seem to desperately need the affirmation. I will also continue to recommend your thread. It does work.

But please don't tell me to forget network folder exists. I have my reasons to make that folder function properly. I will not attempt to make you comprehend them. You won't even make the effort. But thanks for playing.

Edit 6-24-2018

It appears that
- seahawks65
has run afoul of some rules here and his posts are no longer showing in any of the threads. If he isn't allowed back I will remove my comment directed at him since it doesn't make sense.

Edit 6-27-2018

It looks like
- seahawks65
got the ban hammer wielded his way. Now his posts are just listed as A. User but they are now visible again. That is less confusing. Thanks Mods.
Was this answer helpful?

2 people found this answer helpful.

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