How to Turn Off Password Protected Sharing in Windows 11

Windows 11 includes an integrated local networking feature called password protected sharing, designed to prevent unauthorised network users from browsing shared folders and media on your private local network unless they possess an active Windows user account and password on the host computer. While this default security posture is valuable in corporate offices and public network environments, it frequently introduces friction in trusted home settings or home offices where multiple family members, smart televisions, media streamers, or Linux and Mac machines need frictionless access to shared network drives.

Understanding Password Protected Sharing in Windows 11

When password protected sharing remains enabled on Windows 11, any client attempting to access shared resources via the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol is prompted for credentials. If the connecting computer uses different account credentials or operates on a guest operating system without corresponding local accounts, Windows terminates the connection with authentication failures.

Disabling password protected sharing allows any computer, mobile device, or media streaming hardware on your local network subnet to access shared folders without entering login credentials. However, to maintain safety, you should only turn off this setting on networks classified as Private, never on Public Wi-Fi networks in coffee shops, hotels, or airports.

Important Pre-Configuration: Verify Network Profile Type

Before adjusting file-sharing properties, verify that your active Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection is designated as a Private network:

1. Press Windows Key + I to launch the Windows 11 Settings app.
2. Click on Network & internet in the left sidebar.
3. Select your active network connection (either Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
4. Under the network properties section, verify that Private network is checked. If it is currently set to Public network, click Private network to enable local discovery and sharing mechanisms.

How to Turn Off Password Protected Sharing via Windows Settings

In modern builds of Windows 11, advanced sharing settings have been fully transitioned into the unified Settings application:

1. Open Settings (Windows Key + I) and navigate to Network & internet.
2. Scroll down and click on Advanced network settings.
3. Under the More settings group, select Advanced sharing settings.
4. Click on the All networks drop-down group to expand its options.
5. Locate the Password-protected sharing entry at the bottom of the section.
6. Toggle the switch to the Off position.
7. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to confirm the administrative change.

How to Turn Off Password Protected Sharing via Classic Control Panel

If you prefer using the legacy Control Panel interface or need to configure systems where group policies constrain the modern Settings app:

1. Press Windows Key + R, type control into the Run dialogue box, and press Enter.
2. Set View by in the upper right to Large icons or Small icons.
3. Click on Network and Sharing Centre.
4. In the left-hand column, click Change advanced sharing settings.
5. Scroll down to expand the All Networks category.
6. Under the Password protected sharing sub-heading, select the radio button labelled Turn off password protected sharing.
7. Click the Save changes button at the bottom of the window.

Configuring Permissions for Shared Folders

Turning off password protected sharing removes the credential barrier, but Windows NTFS permissions must still permit guest or anonymous access. To ensure users can view or edit files inside a shared folder:

1. Open File Explorer and right-click the folder you wish to share across the local network, then select Properties.
2. Switch to the Sharing tab and click the Advanced Sharing button.
3. Tick Share this folder, then click the Permissions button.
4. Ensure that Everyone is listed in the user group. Set permissions to Read or tick Change if you want other devices to write and delete files. Click OK.
5. Switch to the Security tab in the main Properties window.
6. If Everyone is not listed, click Edit, then click Add, type Everyone into the object names box, click Check Names, and click OK.
7. Assign appropriate Read or Write permissions and click Apply, then OK.

Troubleshooting Password Sharing and Network Discovery

• Client Still Prompted for a Username and Password: When connecting from a remote device, type Guest as the username and leave the password blank. Some operating systems require a nominal username field even when password protection is disabled on the host.
• Shared Computer Missing in Network List: Ensure that Network discovery and File and printer sharing are turned On under your Private network profile in Advanced sharing settings.
• Access Denied Errors: Remember that NTFS Security permissions always override network share permissions. Double-check that the Security tab on the target folder explicitly grants access to the Everyone or Guest group.