I have 2 PC's both running windows 7 ultimate x64. I'll call them PC #1 and PC #2. PC #1 is directly connected to the internet and also has a network bridge connected to PC #2. PC #2 is where i host all the files (movies, pics, etc.) for PC #1. Both computers only have one user account with no passwords and guest is disabled. they are both admin accounts, but have different names. PC #2's shared folders are not part of a homegroup and are shared with "everyone" in the sharing properties. now, i can access any file on PC #2 from PC #1 without a issue, but if i want to transfer files from PC #1 to PC#2 using the same method of sharing a folder for "everyone" windows explorer prompts me to "Enter Network Password" I have verified both accounts are admin (but have different names), file and printer sharing is turned on on both computers, same with network discovery, public folder access and i have disabled password protect sharing. i have microsoft security essentials as the firewall/antivirus. no 3rd party network software (bittorrent, peerblock etc.) and this happens after a reformat/reinstall. why can i not access any of PC #1's shared folders or drives from PC #2? any help would be great!!! Best regards Jason

I think it's a matter of this fact.... Should I manage my home network connections manually or use Windows to do it automatically? You should let Windows manage your home network connections because it's the easiest and best way to share files and printers. But if you've previously set up customized sharing permissions on your network following the procedures in Windows XP or Windows Vista and you want to maintain those permissions when using a homegroup, you can choose to manage network connections yourself. If you choose this option, you'll need to use your user account and password when accessing other computers. To continue using customized permissions, create or join a homegroup, and then follow these steps: Click to open Advanced sharing settings. Click the chevron to expand the Home or Work network profile. Under HomeGroup connections, click Use user accounts and passwords to connect to other computers, and then click Save changes. The bottom line is that I believe that if you have HomeGroups enabled, and are wanting to share other folders, or basically do custom permissions to certain users only, or user groups, etc... You need to do that last bolded item, and both accounts should have a password on them. It's just a caveat. If you don't have any passwords on your accounts, then HomeGrouop authentication is going to try and handle it. Once you have your username and password, if you're in a secure, trusted place, you can then use the "Credentials Manager" in the Control Panel. Again, I'm really tired, so from Windows Help: What is Credential Manager? Credential Manager allows you to store credentials, such as user names and passwords that you use to log on to websites or other computers on a network. By storing your credentials, Windows can automatically log you on to websites or other computers. Credentials are saved in special folders on your computer called vaults. Windows and programs (such as web browsers) can securely give the credentials in the vaults to other computers and websites. So essentially, even though you have passwords on there, you can prevent it the computers for asking for username and password every time you try to connect, you can just store them here. Final answer: create a password and add a password to both user accounts on both computers, then retry connecting. You should get prompted for a username and password, to which NOW you will have both of... and don't forget to change it off of letting HomeGroups manage acccess.... this one: Under HomeGroup connections, click Use user accounts and passwords to connect to other computers, and then click Save changes. Also very important. Give that a shot and see if it helps any.

Thanks Brad, i'll double check those settings when i get home and post what i find here. wish me luck

looks like none of the above support options seem to work. it sure would be handy if i could create permissions for other users on different computers over a workgroup, that might help. it looks like im back to the drawing board on this one. there must be a registry key that disables lan security managment. this is such a frustrating problem it should not be this complicated with 2 admin accounts. thanks anyway brad, ill post here if i find anything,

Hi, Please try to enable the following security policies to check the result: 1. Enter “gpedit.msc” in the Start Search box. 2. Open “Computer Configuration”/Windows Settings/Security Settings/Local Policies/Security Settings. 3. In the right pane, enable the following policies: · Network access: Allow anonymous SID/name translation · Network access: Let Everyone permissions apply to anonymous users Meanwhile, just for test, check the NTML settings: Click the start button and type secpol.msc in the search function. Browse to "Local Policies" -> "Security Options". Now look for the entry "Network Security: LAN Manager authentication level" and open it. Click on the dropdown menu and select "Send LM & NTLM - use NTLMv2 session security if negotiated". Apply the settings. Alex ZhaoPlease remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

ok alex i enabled those settings on PC#1. i can now access pc#2 (so far) without any prompts for username and pw, but i can still not access pc#1 from pc#2. still the same prompts on that one. also, if i hook up a netbook to our network here, i also get username and pw prompts while accessing pc #1 (default settings on netbook) the netbook can access all shares on pc#2 without a issue. this definatly sounds like a policy issues on pc#1. at least im getting somewhere! :) thanks and keep the help coming! Jason