Troubleshooting Shared Folder Access Issues Between Windows 10 and Windows 11 Laptops

Troubleshooting Shared Folder Access Between Windows 10 and Windows 11 Laptops

Connecting multiple computers within the same network often involves sharing files and folders to facilitate seamless collaboration. However, users may encounter issues when accessing shared resources across different Windows versions. In this article, we address common challenges faced when sharing a folder from a Windows 10 laptop to a Windows 11 laptop, and provide actionable solutions to resolve access problems.

Scenario Overview

A user is attempting to share a folder from a Windows 10 device to a Windows 11 device within the same Wi-Fi network. The initial setup includes enabling file and printer sharing, activating network discovery, and sharing the folder with ‘Everyone’. Despite these configurations, the user experiences an error when attempting to access the shared folder, even after successfully pinging the host machine.

Key Troubleshooting Steps Already Taken

• Enabled File and Printer Sharing: Ensured that both machines have sharing options enabled in the network settings.
• Activated Network Discovery: Confirmed that network discovery is turned on to allow Windows to identify other devices.
• Shared Folder with ‘Everyone’: Made sure that the target folder has appropriate sharing permissions.
• Network Connectivity Test: Successfully pinged the Windows 10 machine from Windows 11, indicating basic network connectivity.
• Direct Access Attempt: Tried accessing the shared folder via its IP address using the UNC path (\\192.XXX.X.X\SharedFolderName).

Persistent Issue

Despite these steps, access issues persist, typically manifesting as an error message indicating lack of permission or inability to access the network resource.

Potential Causes and Solutions

1. Check and Configure Sharing Settings Properly

2. Ensure Password Protected Sharing is Disabled (if necessary):

   • On both machines, navigate to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Advanced sharing settings.
   • Under ‘All Networks,’ locate Password Protected Sharing and set it to Turn off if you prefer simpler access without login credentials.
   • Note: Disabling password protection reduces security, so consider re-enabling it after troubleshooting.

3. Verify Network Profile Settings

4. Confirm that both devices are set to the Private network profile:

   • Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network properties.
   • Set the network as Private to enable device discovery and sharing features.

5. Check Folder and Share Permissions

6. Ensure that the shared folder permissions include ‘Everyone’ with at least **Read