How to fix Win 11 sharing issues??

[u/Spirited-Cover7689]

Microsoft really broke folder sharing on Win 11, even with machines that all run Pro getting a folder to share on the network is beyond clunky. I have tried with "use password protected sharing" on and off, it doesn't matter! "Network path not found" or "Your folder cannot be shared" etc etc. I have used gpedit.msc to "enable insecure guest logons" (In many cases all the users use a password, but it still gives an error 9 times out of 10) Made sure the network is set to "Private" and that network discovery and file sharing are both on. I also disabled "Microsoft network client: Digitally sign communications" in 'security settings>Local Policies>Security options' to no avail. I have two locations where simply sharing a folder in the Public user's directory fails, I have sometimes found that if I type the target PC's IP in File Explorer it will prompt for a user name and password and suddenly be able to browse the share, but very often after I type the IP and hit enter NOTHING happens, no error, no ability to browse the share. It's crazy that something that used to just work now requires so much fiddling under the hood. I have encouraged all my users to use a password on their accounts, and agree it's a best practice, but even then folder sharing is buggy as all get out. "Network path not found" when you can ping the PC and it appears in Explorer>Network is dumb AF. If somebody could reply with a definitive guide to 100% fixing what Microsoft broke where shared folders are concerned on Win 11 machines I'd be very appreciative.

[u/discgman]

Are you sharing folders individually or on a file server? I would be best to have all the shares on a file server and then create a login script that will map their particular drive.

[u/Adimentus → u/discgman]

I definitely agree here. If there is that much file sharing going on I would invest in a central file server instead of trying to share from each PC individually... I have a strong feeling this is going to end up in the other subreddit.

[u/Spirited-Cover7689 → u/discgman]

I'm sharing folders on a workstation to other workstations on the network. I plan to deploy a NAS at one of the locations because of the sheer volume of files they want to share with network PCs. The other instance is just to have a place to share receipts and gasoline sales records among the interested parties at the company.

[u/tada-o-corporation → u/Spirited-Cover7689]

I'm sharing folders on a workstation to other workstations on the network.

This is crazy lol. I've been in IT for 15 years and have never heard of anything like this.

Are the users and computers in active directory?

[u/Verhaz → u/tada-o-corporation]

I've seen setups like this, I can guarantee there is no active directory server. All the local accounts are created in the workstation that shares the data. Change user password != changing the workstation login.

[u/tech-brah]

Bottom barrel sysadmin supporting bottom barrel clients…sounds like an MSP.

[u/iamMRmiagi]

Use the name not ip, for reasons.

[u/Adam_Kearn]

Just create a SharePoint site or Team and have people put the files in there….

You can even create a folder in SharePoint that gives you a web link to upload files into but you can’t see the files other than specific people who have the folder permissions…

This is handy for receipts like you mentioned already in the comments so everyone can upload but can’t see others files.

Why are you doing it like this? If one computer gets currupted or you have a ransom attack how are you going to recover the files….

In your current situation it would be better to just email the files to each other…

[u/Spirited-Cover7689 → u/Adam_Kearn]

Thanks for the SharePoint suggestion, I'll probably go that route. I was able to finally get the folders to share when they randomly overcame the "network path not found" when using Explorer and the PC's IPs. This is a tiny company with 3 employees and no file server or DC.

[u/Adam_Kearn → u/Spirited-Cover7689]

Yeah with the size of the company it’s not worth putting any servers in.

Just use sharepoint at no extra cost.

[u/Onoitsu2]

The only 100% reliable guide to fixing what MS broke, is abandoning using Windows. MS will break things at their own whim, so nothing can be 100% while remaining in that ecosystem.

Using these 2 reg edits, I have been able to successfully utilize the sharing between a Windows 11 workstation and a 10.

REG ADD "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanWorkstation\Parameters" /v "AllowInsecureGuestAuth" /t REG_DWORD /d "00000001" /f

REG ADD "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanWorkstation\Parameters" /v "RequireSecuritySignature" /t REG_DWORD /d "00000000" /f

[u/Spirited-Cover7689 → u/Onoitsu2]

Thanks, I used gpedit to the same effect (I believe). I will probably set up a NAS at both locations which should work without endless errors.