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Fixed Windows 11 Cannot Access Shared Folders [2023]

Ralph Adolphs
Ralph Adolphs

Updated:

Sometimes in Windows 11, when you try to access the shared folder on other people's computers on the LAN (Local Area Network), or when other people visit the shared folder on your computer, you find that you can't access it, with a message saying that you don't have permission or that you can't connect. In this article, we will discuss how to fix Windows 11 cannot access shared folders.

windows 11 cannot access shared folder


How to Fix "Cannot Access the Shared Folder in Windows 11"?

Note: To access the shared folder, make sure the computers are connected to the same network.

Step 1: Right-click on the Win icon and select Settings.

right click win icon and select settings

Step 2: Click Network & internet.

click network and settings

Step 3: Here you can see the computer is connected to the network. Click Ethernet.

click Ethernet

Step 4: Check Private network and then click Configure firewall and security settings.

click private internet and security settings

Step 5: If prompted Yes or No, click Yes.

click yes

Step 6: Locate and click Advanced settings. If asked Yes or No, click Yes.

click advanced settings

Step 7: Here, click Inbound Rules on the left side. Scroll down and locate File and Printer Sharing (NB-Session-In) on the right side, then right-click on it and select Enable Rule.

enable file and printer sharing nb session in

Step 8: Similarly, find File and Printer Sharing (SMB-In), then right-click on it and select Enable Rule.

enable file and printer sharing smb session in

Step 9: Back to Network &internet settings, then choose Advanced network settings.

enable file and printer sharing nb session in

Step 10: Click Advanced sharing settings.

click advanced sharing settings

Step 11: Under Private networks, toggle on File and printer sharing.

toggle on file and printer sharing

Step 12: Then, scroll down and locate All networks, then turn Password protected sharing on.

turn on password protected sharing

Now others can access shared folders on your computer. For instance, if someone wants to access the shared folder on your computer, you need to provide your IP address. By doing so, go to Network & internet > Ethernet. Here you can view your IP address.

view ip address

1. On his (or her) PC, open File Explorer and enter the IP address on the address bar.

enter ip address

2. After pressing Enter, he (or she) is prompted to provide your username and password. Then click OK.

enter username and password

3. Successfully access the shared folder.

successfully access shared folder