Windows 11 24H2 network sharing has stopped working. Whenever you try to connect to a shared folder over your network, you get an error message saying “Cannot access” , or possibly you’ll be asked to “Enter network credentials”.
It affects both Windows 11 Home and Pro versions. But only after updating to 24H2. Earlier versions of Windows 11 work just fine.
If you haven’t yet setup a network, then click here 5 Steps To Setup A Home Network In Windows 10 & 11.
Windows 24H2 Cannot Access Network Share.
Windows 11 24H2 can’t access your network shares. In deed, it may not even be able to find them on your local network.
Whenever you do try to open a shared folder, you’ll see a Network Error message “Windows cannot access – Check the spelling of the name. Otherwise there might be a problem with your network”.
Or maybe you get a Windows Security popup requiring you to Enter Network Credentials.
Either way, the result will be the same, no access to shared folders.
It’s Only Windows 11 24H2.
Strangely, this network issue only seems to affect outbound connections. 24H2 can’t connect to other computers, but they can connect to a 24H2 computer.
To demonstrate, here I have a Windows 11 computer that’s only updated to 23H2.
As you can see, the 23H2 machine can easily access any of the shared files and folders on the 24H2 computer.
The same is true if you use a Windows 10 computer. It’ll just work fine. No problems.
The issue with Windows 11 24H2 only affects outbound connections. Inbound connections work great.
You’ll find that all of your networked PCs that aren’t updated to 24H2 still work and access the network shares.
How To Fix Network Issues With Windows 11 24H2.
Ok, so if the problem you’re having with Windows 11 24H2 is as described above, then I have an easy fix for you.
You have to add passwords to your networked computer accounts. It’s as simple as that.
Currently, the only way to get Windows 11 24H2 to access network shares is adding a password to the accounts on those other computers.
Then you need to turn on Password Protected Sharing on the other computers.
Turn On Password Protected Sharing.
After adding a password, the next thing to do is to turn on Password Protected Sharing.
Click the Start button and then type “advanced sharing settings“. Click on Manage Advanced Sharing Settings.
In the Advanced Sharing Settings, expand the All Networks section and select “Turn on password protected sharing”.
If you’re doing this on a Windows 10 computer, don’t forget to click the Save Changes button.
Restart all your computers.
Enter Network Credentials.
After adding passwords and turning on Password Protected Sharing, Windows 11 24H2 should be able to access your network shares.
When you click on a shared resource (such as a PC), you’ll see the Windows Security popup window asking you to Enter Network Credentials.
Local Account Or Microsoft Account.
The Network credentials that you need to enter are the user name and password for an account on the computer that you’re trying to connect to.
If the other computer has a local account set up, then you can use the username and password for that account. That’s easy and straightforward.
But if the account on the other machine is a Microsoft account, then you’ll need to enter the email address and the password that you used to set up the account.
Not the PIN. Many of us that use MS accounts actually sign in with a PIN rather than the full password. The PIN won’t work. You have to use the complete password.
Summary.
So there you have it. With Windows 11 24H2 you have to have passwords and password protected sharing setup on your network.
I’m not sure if that’s a deliberate ploy by Microsoft or just a bug in the 24H2 update, but at the moment, nothing else seems to work.
That then raises the question of will it be fixed? If it is a bug then you’d assume Microsoft will eventually fix it with an update. But if it’s deliberate, then we’re going to be stuck with it.