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
    2025-01-20T17:50:33+00:00

    This worked for me - but your instructions appears to have a typo - and for one computer on the network I had to add a step

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

    Correction "You should NOW see "Password" located underneath "Security Key"

    Extra step

    After Turning Off "for improved security..."

    After logging out then back in, the default prompt is for the PIN - but under that is other sign in options which includes password - use that to sign in with password

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-02-12T00:12:08+00:00

    My problem is very similar. I will try this solution.

    I have a new T16 PC with OEM Win 11 Pro. Several other older Win 10 PCs. All on WiFi network, all with same specs.

    All Win 10 PC's can connect and manipulate files on all Win 10 PCs AND the Win 11 PC. The Win 11 PC will not connect to any of the Win 10 PCs.

    Will this solution work?

    DRC

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-03-12T18:18:48+00:00

    SOLVED! But by a different method... I have spent about 3 DAYS looking for ways to fix networking after purchasing a new Windows 11 PC. I did all of the suggestions here with typical networking settings, checking that services are all the same, creating a local account, and NOTHING worked. I was about 20 minutes from returning it thinking nobody should have to spend days working to fix problems like this that should never happen in the first place. Incredibly frustrating. This has also happened on the Windows 10 machines many times in the past after updates, and the usual settings and permissions could fix that.

    Background: All of my windows 10 PCs could see each other and all drives, and could also see the new PC and drives (some of which this article made progress on, so don't dismiss that some of the things in this article may help!) But the new PC could not see any old PC.

    My error code was 0x80070035 meaning “Network path not found”. (it was also asking for credentials when it shouldn't, which eventually stops with a message that "Windows cannot access \PCNAME" or something like that and it doesn't ask anymore). Incredibly, when changing the new computer from password required for other users' file access to not required, none of this made any difference, the other PCs could all read the new 11 PC with no issues. But the 11 PC could not see any others no matter what. Sometimes it would post the network name of the other PCs, but could never connect. Other times I would have to type \PCNAME and that would show the remote PC but would also never connect. Finally, I looked up the error code 0x80070035 and found the following article:

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/how-to-fix-network-error-0x80070035-on-windows-11/9a22d852-a1b9-421a-8a59-eace7ab970eb

    Like many others, Method 5 worked for me instantly after a reboot. I had already tried others except option 4, but the comments indicated option 5 was fixing LOTS of PCs. I just wanted to post this back here since this thread has so many users are having huge networking issues and this is a GREAT thread. I hope this saves you a few days!

    Commentary and advice: I've worked in Automotive for 20+ years. If we ever put out a defective product like this, even once, the consequences of having the customer spending days fix our problems would be staggering, the cost imposed would be unthinkable. We would probably be banned from new programs, shipments halted, all kinds of nasty (but completely necessary) things to protect the customer. Automotive is brutal. The fact that this has been going on for YEARS with no permanent fix is ample evidence that Microsoft's quality assurance process is a failure. But hey, I HAVE to use office.

    Microsoft: I strongly suggest you adopt the 8D problem solving process, required in automotive worldwide. It REQUIRES issues like this to be reviewed, prioritized, analyzed, solved, tested, proven, validated and distributed not only on the local issue but globally to prevent recurrence PERMANENTLY. Closed loop. You can whip your process into shape in months once the discipline is developed. You could probably fix 80% of your problems in WEEKS, but you must have a system! Do it, I'm begging you!

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