Can't Access Windows 11 Shared Folders? Here's a Quick Fix!

• Transfer Files Without Sharing Folders - Recommended
• How to Fix Windows 11 Not Accessing Shared Folders Issue

Creating a shared folder in Windows 11 makes it easy to share files with other computers or people and access data from another PC on the same network.

Usually, accessing a shared folder only requires the correct name. However, there can be several reasons why Windows might not be able to access a network share. Misconfigured network settings, incorrect folder spelling, and improper drive settings can all be culprits.

Also, the user account that created the folder might have incorrect permissions. When you encounter such an error, you can turn to a more user-friendly tool, like Todo PCTrans.

Read the article from Tools to learn how to fix the issue of not being able to access shared folders in Windows 11.

# Transferring Files Without a Shared Folder

Todo PCTrans is a tool that helps you safely transfer data and programs between computers. It comes in handy when you want to move files, settings, and apps to a new computer without having to manually reinstall everything. If both computers are connected to the same Local Area Network (LAN), Todo PCTrans is a practical utility for transferring data between them.

Step 1. Launch Todo PCTrans on both computers. Choose "PC to PC" to proceed.

Step 2: Make sure you have chosen the correct transfer direction.

"Transfer from old" - Move data from an older computer to the current new one.

"Old" - Transfer data from your current old computer to a new one remotely.

Step 3. Type in the target computer's password or key to link the two computers together over the network. Also, make sure you've chosen the correct transfer direction and click “Connect” to proceed.

The code is located in the upper-right corner of the “PC-to-PC Transfer” main screen on the controller computer.

Transfer Files from PC to PC - Step 2

Step 4: Next, click on "Files" to select the files you want to transfer. Choose specific files as needed. Additionally, you can click on the edit icon to customize the storage path for your transferred data.

Click “Transfer,” and the file transfer from computer to computer will begin. Depending on the size of the files, this may take some time, so be patient.

Transfer files from PC to PC - Step 5

Advantages of Todo PCTrans Tool

• Data and app migration: Todo PCTrans can transfer data, files, accounts, and settings between systems.
• Backup and restore: It creates backups of user data, programs, and files for restoration in case of issues.
• Disk management: It allows the transfer of apps and games between local disks.
• Data recovery: It can recover information from failed drives.
• User-friendly interface: The interface is easy to use.
• Compatibility: It is compatible with all versions of Windows workstations and servers.

To transfer files from one notebook to another or from one PC to another, download and install this tool.

How to Fix the Issue of Inaccessibility to Shared Folders in Windows 11

Shared folders can be used to transfer files from one PC to another. However, users might encounter errors, such as being unable to access shared folders. Here are seven fixes for the "Can't access shared folder" issue on Windows 11:

Fix 1: Turn on Network Sharing Permissions

First, you can try resolving this issue by enabling network sharing permissions in Windows 11. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Right-click the shared folder and select Properties from the context menu.

Step 2: In the Properties window, click the Sharing tab, and then under Network File and Folder Sharing, click Share.

Click the Share button in the Shared Folder Properties window.

Step 3: In the Network Access window, click the dropdown and select “Everyone,” then click the “Add” button.

Step 4: Next to “Everyone” under “Permission levels,” click the drop-down menu for “Read” and select “Read & Write.” Then, click “Share.”

Step 5: Choose a preference in the pop-up window for whether to turn on network discovery and file sharing for all public networks.

Once you've shared the folder, you can send the link via email or copy and paste it into another application. Click Done.

< strong > Step 6. < /strong> In the properties window for the shared folder, click on the Sharing tab again, and then click on the Advanced Sharing button.

< strong > Step 7. Check the box next to “Share this folder,” then click the “Permissions” button under Settings.

Step 8: Check the “Allow” checkbox next to “Full Control,” and then click “Apply” and “OK” to save your changes.

If this method works for you, share it on social media so that others who might need it can find it.

Fix 2: Turn on File and Printer Sharing

You can resolve this issue by turning on File and Printer Sharing. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Type “Control Panel” in the search box and open it.

Step 2: Click on “Network and Internet” > “Network and Sharing Center” > “Change advanced sharing settings,” then click on “Change advanced sharing settings” on the left.

Private Network

• Turn on "Network Discovery" and "File and Printer Sharing."
• Check the box next to "Allow devices to connect to this computer" to enable this feature.

Public Network

• Turn on network discovery and file and printer sharing.

All networks

• Turn on “Public folder sharing,” and then turn off “Password protected sharing.”

Fix 3: Grant Permissions

The issue of being unable to access shared folders in Windows 11 could also be due to insufficient security permissions. Let's explore how to grant the necessary permissions:

Step 1: Right-click the shared folder and choose Properties from the shortcut menu.

Step 2: In the Properties window, click the Security tab, and then click Edit to change the permissions.

Step 3: Click the "Add" button in the Permissions window.

Step 4. Click on «Advanced» in the pop-up.

5. In the Advanced window, click Find Now. Select Everyone from the search results, and then click OK.

Fix 4: Enable file sharing support

Here, you need to check if file sharing support is enabled. Here's how:

Step 1. Type Turn Windows features on or off in the search box, and open it from the results.

< strong > Step 2 : Find the "SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support" option and click the checkbox next to it to enable it. Click "OK" to save your changes.

Fix 5: Run the Network Troubleshooter

Using network troubleshooting tools might help resolve file-sharing issues. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Settings, then go to System > Troubleshoot.

Step 2: Click the “Run the Network and Internet troubleshooter” button.

Fix 6: Check File Sharing Services

If the shared folder is still inaccessible on Windows, make sure that your computer's network and sharing services are running properly. Here's how to check:

Step 1: Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run command box. Type services.msc and hit Enter to open the Services window.

Step 2. Look for the "Function Discovery Provider Host" entry, and if it is disabled, right-click on it and select "Start" from the context menu.

Click the "Services" button

If you found these tips helpful, please share them on social media so that others can benefit, too.

Fix 7: Use the Registry Editor

If the methods above don't work, you can try using the Registry Editor. Here's how:

Step 1: Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run command box. Type regedit and click OK.

Step 2: In the Registry Editor window, copy and paste the following path into the search bar:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\LanmanWorkstation

Note: If the LanmanWorkstation key is not in the registry, right-click the Windows key, select New, and then Key. Name the key LanmanWorkstation.

Step 3. Right-click in the right pane, and then select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it AllowInsecureGuestAuth.

Step 4: Double-click it, change the “Value data” to 1, and click “OK” to save the changes.

Conclusions

Here are seven solutions to fix the issue of not being able to access shared folders on Windows 11. You can also use a third-party tool, Todo PCTrans, to quickly resolve this error.

"FAQ: Troubleshooting Unable to Access Shared Folders in Windows 11"

For more information about problems accessing shared folders in Windows, see the following questions and answers:

**Why can't I access shared folders on Windows 11?**

In Windows 11, you might be unable to access a shared folder due to various reasons such as network connectivity issues, incorrect permission settings on the shared folder, temporary blockage by a firewall or antivirus software, disabled Network Discovery feature, outdated network drivers, or an incorrect folder path. If none of these solutions work, it's advisable to reach out to Microsoft Support or a qualified technical professional for assistance.

2. How to Connect to an SMB Share in Windows 11?

Open File Explorer on Windows 11, and select "This PC" to connect to an SMB share. Click the "Computer" tab, then choose "Map network drive." Select a drive letter, input the SMB share path in the format \\Server\Share in the text box, and click "Finish" in the new window. If prompted, enter your credentials. You should now be able to access the SMB share from This PC.

Why can't I see other computers on the network in Windows 11?

If you're using Windows 11 and can't see other computers on the network, it might be because Network Discovery is disabled, there's a problem with the firewall, or the workgroup configuration isn't correct. Make sure Network Discovery is turned on, and that all computers are connected to the same workgroup. Also, check your firewall settings to ensure they aren't blocking network discovery.