Hello

My problem is less complex than it might look like, it's just difficult to explain correctly. Now:

I have multiple computers on my home LAN, with various user accounts, without a HomeGroup. They all share some files, have a "Private" network, Public Folder Sharing enabled and "password protected sharing" disabled. So their configuration is identical. 

These computers are 2 Windows 7 PLK computers, one Windows 8.1 ENU, one Windows 8.1 PLK and finally one 8.1 branded by Lenovo. I'll call them 7, 8EN, 8PL and 8B to avoid lenghty phrases. And now the part that makes no sense at all:

Here's my problem: Win7 computers can easily access Win8 shares. It works both ways: all Win8 computers can access the Win7 shares. But... 8EN cannot access the 8B shares without asking for credentials (?!). Those are the same files that are being accessed with no problem by any Win7 or even WinXP machines. I can't share anything in 8 without making other 8's ask for credentials(but 7 works). Moreover - I can provide a random string as a username and no password and I'll get the access to the Public folders. So the access is there, but I have to provide any credentials to reach it. Without it, the first try is rejected. It's clearly wrong.

HomeGroup helps. But I don't want a HomeGroup, I switch places often, HG annoys me and finally - I don't want to sound rude but "a proper way is to use a HomeGroup" is not an answer to "why did the sharing between my 8's stopped working while nobody else seem to have such problems with their 8's, and 7's work fine".

What on earth could possibly make it happen? I reinstalled my Windows 8 and they still cannot communicate with other 8's? Is it the language? but the PLK is just a language pack, the insides are still ENU.

Thank you for any help and have a nice day!

Hi,

Please make sure they are all in same network.

Then check if everyone computer you also turn on below two settings marked as red:

Don't remember to click Save changes button.

Hi Kamil

If you still dont come right, try adding the information into credential manager.

Control Panel - Credential Manager - Windows Credential - Add a Windows Credential 

Internet/networking address - IP or Name of the pc

username - working user credentials on the pc

password - password for that account

then click save

Hi and thank you for answer!

Yes, all computers are on the same network. The sharing is enabled everywhere(on every computer). The password protected sharing is turned OFF everywhere and not ON as you are suggesting. I am following the description "to give other people access...". I want everyone to access these shares.

Windows 7 computers can access it without problems. Windows 8.1 computers ask for credentials, I type anything I want in the username field and I can get through. But the credentials window should not appear at all (it says "incorrect username or password" at the first time, by the way).

• Edited by KamilJDudek Thursday, May 29, 2014 2:16 PM

Hi and thank you for answer!

Yes, all computers are on the same network. The sharing is enabled everywhere(on every computer). The password protected sharing is turned OFF everywhere and not ON as you are suggesting. I am following the description "to give other people access...". I want everyone to access these shares.

Windows 7 computers can access it without problems. Windows 8.1 computers ask for credentials, I type anything I want in the username field and I can get through. But the credentials window should not appear at all (it says "incorrect username or password" at the first time, by the way).

• Edited by KamilJDudek Thursday, May 29, 2014 2:16 PM

Did you ever get a solution to this? I have a very similar problem, my main PC cannot access Public folders that are accessible from ANY other PC on the network - I am asked for credentials, but unlike you, NO credentials work, not even the correct ones for the Administrator on the PC that can't be accessed! Microsoft's so-called support is floundering and trying to pass the buck!

I know it is something to do with the user profile on my main PC, because if I set up a new user account it works just fine - so not a hardware or network infrastructure issue. But nobody seems to be able to provide any insight or assistance with this problem.