Windows Network Sharing Guide · 2026

How to Turn Off Password Protected Sharing in Windows

A practical guide for Windows 10 and Windows 11 users who want to access shared folders, drives, or printers over a local network without entering a Windows username and password.

⊞ Windows 10 ⊞ Windows 11 🌐 Local Network 📁 File Sharing ⏱ 6 min read
Overview

What Is Password Protected Sharing in Windows 10 and Windows 11?

Password protected sharing is a Windows network sharing option that controls whether other computers must enter a valid user account name and password before accessing shared folders, drives, or printers on your PC.

When this option is turned on, Windows allows access only to people who have a user account and password on the computer that hosts the shared resource. When it is turned off, other devices on the same local network can access shared items that are configured for broader access, such as shares available to Everyone or Guest.

ℹ️
Important Turning off password protected sharing does not automatically share all your files. It only changes the authentication requirement. You still need to share a specific folder, drive, or printer and configure its permissions.
Setting What It Means Best Used For
Turn on password protected sharing Users must enter credentials from the host PC Work PCs, shared apartments, office networks
Turn off password protected sharing Shared items can be accessed without a username and password if permissions allow it Trusted home networks, media PCs, simple file exchange
Preparation

Before You Disable Password Protected Sharing

Before changing this setting, make sure you understand where it should and should not be used. Disabling password protected sharing is convenient, but it reduces access control on the local network.

Good Situations to Turn It Off

  • You are using a trusted home network.
  • You want easy access to a media folder from a TV, laptop, or another PC.
  • You do not want to create matching user accounts on every computer.
  • You are sharing temporary files between your own devices.

When You Should Keep It On

  • You are connected to public Wi-Fi.
  • Other unknown devices may be on the same network.
  • The shared folder contains private, financial, or work-related files.
  • The computer is used in an office or shared environment.
⚠️
Security Warning Do not disable password protected sharing on public networks. Use this option only on a trusted private LAN where you control the connected devices.
Method 1

How to Turn Off Password Protected Sharing in Windows 11 Settings

In newer Windows 11 builds, advanced sharing options can be accessed directly from the modern Settings app.

  1. Open Settings.
    Press Win + I.
  2. Go to Network settings.
    Open Network & internet.
  3. Open advanced network settings.
    Select Advanced network settings.
  4. Open Advanced sharing settings.
    Click Advanced sharing settings.
  5. Expand All networks.
    Find the All networks section.
  6. Disable password protected sharing.
    Turn off Password protected sharing.
💡
Tip If you do not see this option in the Settings app, use the classic Control Panel method below. It is still available in both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Method 2

How to Disable Password Protected Sharing from Control Panel

The classic Control Panel method works in both Windows 10 and Windows 11. This is often the most reliable way to find the setting.

  1. Open Control Panel.
    Press Win + R, type:
    control
    and press Enter.
  2. Open Network and Internet.
    Click Network and Internet.
  3. Open Network and Sharing Center.
    Select Network and Sharing Center.
  4. Open advanced sharing settings.
    In the left panel, click Change advanced sharing settings.
  5. Expand All Networks.
    Scroll down and expand the All Networks section.
  6. Turn off password protected sharing.
    Select Turn off password protected sharing.
  7. Save changes.
    Click Save changes. Administrator permission may be required.
✅
Result Other devices on your private network should now be able to access shared folders or drives without entering the Windows account password of the host PC, as long as the share permissions allow access.
Method 3

Fastest Way to Open Network and Sharing Center

You can open the classic Network and Sharing Center directly with a Run command. This saves several clicks and works well if Windows Search does not show the old Control Panel page.

  1. Press Win + R.
  2. Type the following command:
    control.exe /name Microsoft.NetworkAndSharingCenter
  3. Press Enter.
  4. Click Change advanced sharing settings.
  5. Expand All Networks and turn off Password protected sharing.
Permissions

Check Folder and Drive Sharing Permissions After Disabling Password Protection

If password protected sharing is disabled but another computer still cannot open the shared folder, the problem is often caused by folder permissions or share permissions.

Check Basic Folder Sharing

  1. Right-click the folder you want to share.
  2. Select Properties.
  3. Open the Sharing tab.
  4. Click Advanced Sharing.
  5. Enable Share this folder.
  6. Click Permissions.
  7. Add or select Everyone, then allow the needed permissions.
Permission What It Allows Recommended Use
Read Users can open and copy files Best for media folders and document sharing
Change Users can edit, delete, and create files Use only for trusted devices
Full Control Users can change permissions and fully manage files Usually not recommended for Everyone
⚠️
Be Careful Giving Everyone write access means any device that can access the share may modify or delete files. For most home networks, Read permission is safer.
Network Profile

Set Your Windows Network Profile to Private

File sharing works best when your current network is set to Private. If Windows thinks the network is Public, discovery and sharing features may be restricted.

Windows 11

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to Network & internet.
  3. Click your active Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.
  4. Select Private network.

Windows 10

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to Network & Internet.
  3. Select Status, then open the properties of your active connection.
  4. Under Network profile, choose Private.
🔎
Why This Matters A Private network tells Windows that the local network is trusted. This allows network discovery and file sharing features to work more predictably.
Troubleshooting

Windows Still Asks for a Password — How to Fix It

Sometimes Windows continues to request credentials even after password protected sharing has been disabled. Use the checklist below.

1. Restart Both Computers

Restart the computer that hosts the shared folder and the computer that connects to it. Network sharing changes are not always applied immediately.

2. Clear Saved Credentials

Open Control Panel → Credential Manager → Windows Credentials and remove old saved credentials for the target computer.

3. Recheck Share Permissions

Make sure the shared folder allows access to Everyone or another suitable user/group.

4. Use the IP Address

In File Explorer, try opening the share by IP address:

\\192.168.1.10

Enable Network Discovery and File Sharing

Password protected sharing is only one part of Windows network sharing. Also check these settings:

  1. Open Advanced sharing settings.
  2. Under your current network profile, enable Network discovery.
  3. Enable File and printer sharing.
  4. Under All Networks, confirm that password protected sharing is turned off.

Optional Registry Check for Advanced Users

If the setting is missing or does not apply correctly, advanced users may check the related registry values. Create a restore point before editing the registry.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa

Value:

everyoneincludeanonymous = 1

And:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Parameters

Value:

restrictnullsessaccess = 0
⛔
Registry Warning Editing the registry incorrectly can cause system problems. Use the registry method only if the standard Settings or Control Panel options do not work.
Security

Is It Safe to Turn Off Password Protected Sharing?

It can be acceptable on a trusted home network, but it is not the safest configuration. Without password protected sharing, access depends heavily on your network trust level and the permissions assigned to shared folders.

Scenario Recommended Setting Reason
Home LAN with only your own devices Can be turned off Convenient for simple file access
Office network Keep turned on Prevents unauthorized access
Public Wi-Fi Keep turned on Unknown devices may be nearby
Shared folder with personal documents Keep turned on Credentials provide better access control
🛡️
Best Practice If you turn off password protected sharing, share only the folders you actually need, avoid Full Control for Everyone, and keep the network profile set to Private only on trusted networks.
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Password Protected Sharing

Why does Windows ask for a password when accessing a shared folder?

Windows asks for a password when password protected sharing is enabled, when cached credentials are incorrect, or when the shared folder does not allow anonymous or Everyone access.

Does turning off password protected sharing make all files public?

No. It does not share all files automatically. It only changes how Windows handles authentication for shared resources. Only folders, drives, and printers that you explicitly share can be accessed.

Should I disable password protected sharing on Windows 11?

Disable it only on a trusted private network. For office networks, public Wi-Fi, or folders with sensitive data, it is better to keep password protected sharing enabled.

Why can I see the computer on the network but cannot open it?

Network discovery may be working, but file sharing permissions may still block access. Check the folder’s sharing permissions, NTFS security permissions, network profile, and saved credentials.

Do I need to disable Windows Firewall?

Usually, no. You should not disable Windows Firewall completely. Instead, make sure File and Printer Sharing is allowed through the firewall for Private networks.

Can I turn password protected sharing back on later?

Yes. Open Advanced sharing settings, expand All Networks, and select Turn on password protected sharing. Save the changes and restart the computers if necessary.

📌
Summary To turn off password protected sharing in Windows 10 or Windows 11, open Advanced sharing settings, expand All Networks, select Turn off password protected sharing, and save the changes. Then check folder permissions and make sure your network profile is set to Private.