I have a share \\win7server\test. I have a new win7client computer. Typed \\win7server, and it asked for password. I like it to have direct connections to win7server WITHOUT having to configure anything. win7client is bare and new, setup using autounattend.xml, and is automatically set to home homegroup. Win7server used to be an xp machine. Win7client could access xp machine directly. I've turned off password protected sharing under advanced settings. I've tried letting windows manage homegroup accounts and use user accounts/passwords to connect to other. All fail. I don't know what to do. Somebody help me please. Thanks Edit: I've just enabled the guest account under user accounts on win7server. I still get the login popup on win7client when trying to access \\win7server. Typing guest as username allows me to enter. Now.. if only i can rid the popup then all is good. Alternatively, do suggest how I can make direct connections to the share using command line. I dont mind setting up user accounts. The first time win7client boots up, it must have connection to win7server share.

If you would like to use HomeGroup, please access the shares via HomeGroup. Windows 7 features - HomeGroup - Microsoft Windows However if you would like to share files and printers with the traditional way, I suggest you dismiss the HomeGroup, then turn off Password Protected Sharing on all computers, also change the permission settings for the shared folder to allow Guest account access the folder.Arthur Xie - MSFT

Nothing you've suggested works. I have firstlogon.cmd stored on a network share ( \\win7server\test\firstlogon.cmd ) in my autounattend.xml. No matter what combination of settings I've tried, I still get the login popup. The only time it doesn't occur is when i create a homegroup and have the win7client join the homegroup manually, but that doesn't quite work for my purpose.

I suspect that you need administrator privilege to read the file and execute the commands. To resolve this issue, you need to create the same username/password on two computers and then log in with this account in Windows 7 client computer. Another workaround is adding the Guest account into the Administrators group in all computers.Arthur Xie - MSFT

I too am having the exact same problems. I.e. able to see both windows 7 PC in each other, but when try to access them, they ask for user name/pw. One thing, I'd to mention that both PCs are accessible from all other Win XP systems.

Microsoft incompetent as always. No solution. In linux, at least things work the way you want them to.