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
    2025-03-15T17:29:52+00:00

    Finally! an answer that worked.

    I spent many hours problem solving, asking Woody, asking CoPilot, asking ChatGPT, and several other sites. Finally, I posted on the Microsoft forum and got a rapid response. Thank you.

    I had tried Steps 1-3 several times. I skipped the registry change because I place registry modifications in the last resort category.

    Powershell steps worked!

    Don C

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-03-12T19:46:28+00:00

    Don, Please see my comment just below yours, it sounds just like my problem, and I fixed it with https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/how-to-fix-network-error-0x80070035-on-windows-11/9a22d852-a1b9-421a-8a59-eace7ab970eb option 5. Good luck!

    Good afternoon, Michael:

    I have wrestled with this problem for weeks... tried everything offered to no avail. I was about to go back to Win 10 and face the lack of support!

    Fortunately, just yesterday, I found this "answer" via ChatGPT. had already done all but the last two steps with no success. I skipped the Registry modification and used the PowerShell steps. Voila and Hallelujah. Finally.

    So, thank you for your response and taking the time to notify me.

    Don C

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-03-12T19:15:50+00:00

    Glad you got it working, but what you’ve done by using Method 5 is remove any security.

    The real issue to this problem is that Microsoft have not fixed a LONG LONG standing bug where if you save connection credentials to one PC on your local area network but have different credentials to another PC on the same network, you end up not being able to access resources. There is no way to use different credentials across PCs/shares as Win11 doesn’t provide for it (no prompt, nothing).

    The work around that will still ensure “security” is to make sure the user account used across all your local area network clients/PCs has exactly the same user credentials.

    There are other options to work around this issue like having a domain controller and active directory etc.

    Unfortunately Microsoft have done nothing to address this issue even in the most current version of Windows 11. We should be permitted to have different credentials for different resources on our local area networks without having to disable a bunch of security.

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  4. 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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