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

Anonymous
2021-12-12T13:32:14+00:00

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 : -

  1. The network infrastructure is not the cause of the problem.
  2. 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?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage

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Anonymous
2021-12-13T05:04:33+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.

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-04-13T21:51:26+00:00

    Thanks! I've been fighting this for months every time I need to use File Sharing. Sometimes one or more of my four devices could not be discovered or credentials could not be established. I had tried and retried many of the recommended settings for private networks and file sharing. Sometimes I would get it going for three or four of the computers but the next time they were started, a different set of symptoms would appear. Sometimes I noticed that restarting the Xfinity X-Fi Router would make all the workstations visible again but then the network would gradually disintegrate. One of the problems was that the Windows 11 laptop would disappear from its File Explorer Network View even though it would still show in a Windows 10 File Explore window. Also one or more of the Windows 10 computers would ask for credentials but would always reject the password.

    After turning off the Microsoft Login on all the computers and reverting to logging in with a password, all the computers were visible and accessible on all machines. I was able to delete all the stored credentials in credentials manager after setting the credentials name and passwords on all computers and accessing the shared files on the others.

    The only residual problem I had was with the Windows 11 laptop unable to discover itself even though the other computers could ping it and see the shared files. I discovered that if I turned off Network Discovery in the Advanced Sharing Options and then turned it back on, the Windows 11 machine became discoverable by itself and the other machines.

    Thanks Again. I'll keep this page bookmarked.

    Ken Fowler

    Next Day Follow-up. This problem will never be fixed.

    Yesterday I had all four computers seeing all the shares and computers in File Explorer. Then I shut down all four systems.

    This morning I started up two of the computers, one Win10 and one Win11. Each computer could discover its own share on the Network but neither could discover the other. I started up a third Win10 computer and saw the same result. I gave all three a couple of hours to discover the others. No luck.

    Finally, I decided to re-start the WiFi Router, an Xfinity X1 system. When the router had re-booted, all three computers had discovered all three shares and all computers were visible in the File Explorer Network folder. I did have to re-enter the credentials for one Win10 computer. I hope it will remember them.

    So this problem has something to do with the router on the local network. I can't determine what because Xfinity now has their router secured from local Admin access. Has anyone else seen this problem and/or found a fix?

    Ken Fowler

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-04-13T01:25:50+00:00

    Thanks! I've been fighting this for months every time I need to use File Sharing. Sometimes one or more of my four devices could not be discovered or credentials could not be established. I had tried and retried many of the recommended settings for private networks and file sharing. Sometimes I would get it going for three or four of the computers but the next time they were started, a different set of symptoms would appear. Sometimes I noticed that restarting the Xfinity X-Fi Router would make all the workstations visible again but then the network would gradually disintegrate. One of the problems was that the Windows 11 laptop would disappear from its File Explorer Network View even though it would still show in a Windows 10 File Explore window. Also one or more of the Windows 10 computers would ask for credentials but would always reject the password.

    After turning off the Microsoft Login on all the computers and reverting to logging in with a password, all the computers were visible and accessible on all machines. I was able to delete all the stored credentials in credentials manager after setting the credentials name and passwords on all computers and accessing the shared files on the others.

    The only residual problem I had was with the Windows 11 laptop unable to discover itself even though the other computers could ping it and see the shared files. I discovered that if I turned off Network Discovery in the Advanced Sharing Options and then turned it back on, the Windows 11 machine became discoverable by itself and the other machines.

    Thanks Again. I'll keep this page bookmarked.

    Ken Fowler

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-02-09T04:22:12+00:00

    Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! This worked perfectly!

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-12-25T22:26:38+00:00

    Keep getting incorrect user or password. ???

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