On a peer to peer network in Windows 10 or 11 if you see “Network Path Not Found” then this is what you need to do.
Step 1
Right-Click on Start Left-Click on Run
Input “services.msc” in prompt box and press enter This will bring up the Services page
There are 5 services that you will change -
Function Discovery Provider Host & Function Discovery Resource Publication & SSDP Discovery & TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper & UPnP Device Host
Double-click each service to get to the properties page . Change the startup type to Automatic and click OK
Step 2
Open Control Panel
Click “View By” Select Small Icons
Open “Programs and Features”
Click on “Turn Windows features on or off”
Scroll down to SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support
Check the checkbox and make sure that the 3 sub-boxes below are checked. Click OK. Restart computer
Step 3
If you have Windows 10 or 11 Home , rather than Pro, you will need to download and run the following file.- Windows10HomeGPEditInstaller.bat
If you have Windows 10 or 11 PRO, then skip the downloading the file and running the batch file
Once downloaded (probably in the Downloads folder) right-click the file and left-click “Run as Administrator”
This will add the Group Policy Editor to Windows Home. After the batch file completes close the C> box.
You must do this for Windows Pro or Home - Adjust Group Policy rules (Home or Pro).
Then right-click on Start. Left-click on Run. In the prompt box, Input “gpedit.msc”
Under Local Computer Policy --> Administrative Templates –> Network –> Lanman Workstation Open Lanman Workstation
Double-click Enable insecure guest logons Click on Enabled. Click OK
Here is a YouTube video explaining the procedure - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bIcJluf-0Q
Specifically -
Enable File and Printer Sharing
Then, you can try to enable file and printer sharing settings. Follow the guide below: Step 1: Type Control Panel in the Search box to open it.
Step 2: Go to Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings. Step 3: You need to turn on file sharing under Private, Public, and All networks.
1. Private
Network discovery: Check Turn on network discovery and also check Turn on automatic setup of network- connected devices.
File and printer sharing: Check Turn on file and printer sharing.
2. Guest or Public (current profile)
Check Turn on file and printer sharing under Network discovery and File and printer sharing.
3. All Networks
If you want to access shared folders Then on the computer with the shared folders –
If you don’t have the correct security permission, you can also encounter the Windows 11 cannot access shared folder issue.
Step 1: Right-click the shared folder to choose Properties.
Step 2: Go to the Security tab and click Edit…. Then, click Add… and click Advanced….
Step 3. Add Everyone to the User Group
Last steps IF YOU Have Windows 11 24H2 –
Search for "Local Security Policy" in the search box next to Start. The search results should show “Local Security Policy”. Click it to open the app window.
In "Local Security Policy" navigate to "Local Policies > Security Options" and look for 2 items. You have to do the next 2 steps to fix update 24H2
Find the items below and set BOTH to "disabled".
Item #1 - Microsoft Network Client: Digitally Sign Communications (always)
Item #2 - Microsoft Network Client: Digitally Sign Communications (if server agrees)
After setting these, don't forget to apply and your server folder should be working as intended again!
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