Hi, All my home computers are running on Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit; I'm able to access all shares on all my computers if I turn off Password Protected Sharing in the Advanced Sharing Settings screen. I would like to set up Password Protected Sharing instead of giving read permissions to Everyone on my shared folders. So far, I've verified the following: - All workstations are in the same workgroup (The default Windows 7 Workgroup named: WORKGROUP). - On all the computers, there is an account with the same username, and same password (which is the primary used account on all computers). - All workstations have the Password Protected Sharing and "File and Printer Sharing" enabled. - On every shared folder, I have checked both file system level permissions and network sharing level permissions for the account with the same name on all computers. - Computer Browser, Server; and Workstation services are running on all computers. The error that I receive is: "Windows cannot access \\<ServerName>\<ShareName>. You do not have permission to access \\<ServerName>\<ShareName>. Contact your network administrator to request access." I really appreciate any help. Thanks, Jose

I found something interesting: I have HomeGroup set on my computers, so whenever I try to access files within the main computer, I found out that the session is open by the HomeGroup user, even If I try to access a share that is not shared with the HomeGroup. I think that is the reason I get the permissions error: Because the shared folder has permissions to a specific user, and not shared with the HomeGroup. I took one of the computers out of the homegroup, then I tried to access one of the shares, and I was able access; then I checked and the session was initiated by the user instead of the HomeGroup user. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it is by design as this makes sense. However, I would prefer that if the computer is not able to access the share because it is trying to use the HomeGroup user, at least prompt for credentials. I guess that if I want to keep the HomeGroup functionality, the only way I will be able to access files on the share using my user credentials would be mapping a network drive. Regards, Jose

Hi, Thanks for the post! The cause you find is reasonable, when you use the same account to access the folder, the Windows will confirm the least permission it was setting. For example, you set a user in both HomeGroup and WorkGroup, when you access one file, Windows would by default give the lower permission you set between the HomeGroup and WorkGroup, it’s by design for security reason. I recommend you use different user account in home and work, it’s better for security. Regards, MiyaThis posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. | Please 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.