Networking: Win7 keeps asking for password when there isn't one!

[shel777]

Hi have 2 Windows 7 Premium computers - one is 64-bit and the other is 32-bit.

Last night, I was transferring files over the network for hours with no problems at all, from the 32 to the 64 bit. No passwords were involved because there were no password set up (and there are none - I checked).

Today, however, the 64-bit computer wants a password for the 32-bit machine... yet there is none!

Any reason for this? Thanks in advance, folks!

 

[TrainableMan]

I'm not an expert on networking but I do notice in this ARTICLE it says in Clifford's addendum that you can turn off password protection, maybe that will fix your issue?

 

[Kougar]

Have you tried leaving the field blank and just hitting enter? XP used to require that sometimes...

 

[robdsgb]

hey try setting a password for each pc ( make it easy,so u dont forget), then got to your network sharing panel and adjust your sharing option . i think you need a password in order for it to work.Also windows 7 has a default password for homegroup, should be in the same panel.

 

[davehc]

Rob's idea might work.
But, on the 32Bit machine, type, in the Start or run box
Control Userpasswords2
Untick the square "Users must enter ..etc"
Apply

 

[shel777]

Excellent answer...

but that box was already un-checked. And as I said before, the problem began out of nowhere - no changes had been made. But THANK YOU MUCH!!

 

[davehc]

OK. Then do this
Open the Control panel (Icon view)
Choose Properties (this opens Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network and Sharing Center)
Open Network and Sharing Center
Click "Change advanced sharing settings" (Over on the left) , and select and expand your home group6.
Look at next to last setting - Password protected sharing
Turn off password protected sharing - Save chnges.

 

[shel777]

Did that but now instead of asking for a password....

...it's saying the drive is inaccessible and talks baout my not having permission, etc.

It *can* access everything under my username on Drive C.. but none of the folders under the root of Drive C.

Thanks - if you have any other tips, i will use them!

 

[TrainableMan]

Windows 7 does not like you to share the root directory. I suspect because it has so many system folders under it and even some system files sitting within the root itself.

It is a better idea to create a Subfolder like C:\Shared and share that. Much safer.

If you insist on sharing the root then read HERE

 

[shel777]

BINGO!!! This is the solution that worked (thank you!!!!)

Windows 7 does not like you to share the root directory. I suspect because it has so many system folders under it and even some system files sitting within the root itself.

It is a better idea to create a Subfolder like C:\Shared and share that. Much safer.

If you insist on sharing the root then read HERE

-----------------------------------

OK, this is the problem with Windows 7: I had ownership of the drive on the local machine (default), but that is not enough. I had to give "everyone" ownership of the drive for other computers to access it. That means logging-in through the network from another machine to the Win7 computer, you have ownership as "everyone" and therefore, permission to access the drive.

So, here is what I did. Right click on the hardrive from windows explorer. Go to properties. Click on Security. Click edit. Add "everyone" to the group and assign the permissions you want. Then go to sharing and share the drive as you would normally. The root of the drive will now be accessible over the network.

I understand it now, but this is very poorly explained in every document I read. I spent hour researching this and can't understand why MS has made it so diffucult to share a drive over a network. Totally absurd.

Hope this helps out others trying to do the same thing. In a small home network, It is very common/necessary to share multiple drives at the c:\ root.

 

[TrainableMan]

I'm not sure why you posted the info from the link I gave?

 

[shel777]

Thanks - here's why

I'm not sure why you posted the info from the link I gave?

Because I super appreciated it and felt others would find it a lot easier if I re-posted it. In fact, the solution was one of many posted on that page.

Thanks to you, it's working like a charm!

 

[TrainableMan]

I still discourage sharing the root of your OS drive but I'm glad it worked for you. I will mark this thread as solved.