Can't access the other Windows 11 computers on my home network

Anonymous

Since upgrading to Windows 11, my ASUS PC and all DELL laptops on my home network can see each other and can see all computer folders. Unfortunately, they are not permitted access to files despite having set up file sharing. I am always told that my Network Credentials are invalid. I have validated that my usernames and passwords are correct but they are still rejected.

I have established that when I move all of my accounts from "Microsoft Accounts" to "Local Accounts" then everything works perfectly thus proving that : -

The network infrastructure is not the cause of the problem.
Cause of the problem is the creation of a Microsoft Account - what is in this account setup that prevents proper networking?

Obviously, I would prefer to use "Microsoft Accounts" so can anyone please suggest how I might resolve this problem?

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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Anonymous

Hello Stan,

It's probably due to the credentials located on your local machine. If you've set up a PIN for logging into Windows 11 and have never logged into the computer using a password, the PASSWORD is not located on the local machine. Since the PIN only works for the local device, and not across the network, you'll need to sign into the computer 1-time using the full password. It should then work after that...at least until an update wipes it out.

Go to Settings

Accounts

Sign-In Options

Under Additional Settings --> TURN OFF "For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device

Click into some settings (e.g. Apps) and then click back on "Accounts"

Go back into Sign-in Options

You should not see "Password" located underneath "Security Key"

If after clicking on it you see "You're all set up"

Press "Windows Key + L" to lock your computer

Log into the machine using your full Windows 11 password

You should be all set!

Go to your other computer and try out your credentials.

Hope this helps!

P.S. You can then turn on the "Improved security, only allow Windows Hello" again and resume only using a PIN. The PASSWORD will now be stored.

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63 additional answers

Anonymous

2024-12-14T20:34:23+00:00

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I have been battling with this and all the so-called "Windows MVPs" and "Experts" didn't have a clue, suggesting mundane things like reset your network, restart your router and other such rubbish.

This is the kind of insight true expert gives, not suggesting things off a typed troubleshooting sheet.
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Anonymous

2024-11-08T21:02:01+00:00

Here we are in 2024 and your solution solved our problem! Hooray!!
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Anonymous

2024-04-24T01:08:19+00:00

Skullfighter's suggested fix has certainly helped. But I still get a Credentials request occasionally from one Win10 computer to a particular Win10 computer. Not every time and always the same computers. And Network Discovery is not reliable.

A continuing problem is that the Win11 laptop will not show the network shares in the File Explorer windows. However, if I type the network name of a computer, i.e. \alpha2, into the File Explorer Path, it will show the shared folders. A related discovery is that if I go into the Advanced Sharing settings of the Win11 laptop, turn off Network Discovery briefly and then turn it back on, it will discover the other computers (including itself) and populate the Network pane in File Explorer -- at least until the next startup. Anyway, it appears that this is a problem in File Explorer and not in Network Discovery.

Now that I can open the shared folders by entering the Net name, I can live with the problem. But I sure wish that MicroSoft would do something about this long standing headache.

-ken-

this fix is still being used, just used in to connect 3 Windows 11 and 1 Windows 10 pc. Took all of 5 minutes on 3 pcs. I couldn't figure out what was wrong, recently got a new desktop and reset another desktop. Had had issues with that Enter Network Credentials prompt.
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Anonymous

2024-04-24T00:29:04+00:00

Hello Stan,

It's probably due to the credentials located on your local machine. If you've set up a PIN for logging into Windows 11 and have never logged into the computer using a password, the PASSWORD is not located on the local machine. Since the PIN only works for the local device, and not across the network, you'll need to sign into the computer 1-time using the full password. It should then work after that...at least until an update wipes it out.

Go to Settings

Accounts

Sign-In Options

Under Additional Settings --> TURN OFF "For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device

Click into some settings (e.g. Apps) and then click back on "Accounts"

Go back into Sign-in Options

You should not see "Password" located underneath "Security Key"

If after clicking on it you see "You're all set up"

Press "Windows Key + L" to lock your computer

Log into the machine using your full Windows 11 password

You should be all set!

Go to your other computer and try out your credentials.

Hope this helps!

P.S. You can then turn on the "Improved security, only allow Windows Hello" again and resume only using a PIN. The PASSWORD will now be stored.

this fix is still being used, just used in to connect 3 Windows 11 and 1 Windows 10 pc. Took all of 5 minutes on 3 pcs. I couldn't figure out what was wrong, recently got a new desktop and reset another desktop. Had had issues with that Enter Network Credentials prompt.
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