Sharing a folder or printer across computers can make it much easier to work with files and devices on a local network. However, Windows 11 and Windows 10 may block access when a computer tries to connect to a shared resource without entering a username and password.
If you are working on a trusted private network, you can configure Windows to allow certain types of anonymous or guest access to shared folders or printers. The exact settings depend on whether you are sharing files, using a shared printer, and which Windows security policies are available on your edition of Windows.
It is important to understand that anonymous access reduces some of Windows’ normal security protections. For that reason, you should use it only when necessary and preferably on a private, trusted network.
Keep This in Mind Before
Windows generally expects network resources to use authenticated access. This means another computer normally needs to provide valid credentials before it can access a shared folder or printer.
When you enable guest or anonymous-style access, you are changing that behavior. On supported Windows configurations, this can allow a network computer to connect without supplying the normal Windows account credentials.
There is an important distinction here. Guest access is not the same as completely unrestricted anonymous access. Windows security features can still limit what a network user can do. Also, newer Windows versions have tightened guest authentication because unauthenticated SMB connections can create security risks.
The safest approach is to configure only the specific sharing feature you need and avoid weakening unrelated Windows security settings.
To allow anonymous or guest access to a shared folder or printer on Windows 11/10, you can:
- Set the network connection to Private.
- Turn on Network Discovery and File and Printer Sharing.
- Configure the shared folder or printer permissions for the intended users.
- Adjust Local Security Policy or the relevant Windows security policy for guest access.
- Configure the Lanman Workstation policy if Windows blocks guest authentication.
- Check the share and NTFS permissions on the computer hosting the resource.
- Test the shared folder or printer from another computer on the same network.
Step 1: Set Your Network to Private
Before changing sharing settings, make sure the computer is connected to a Private network. Windows treats private networks as trusted environments where network discovery and sharing are appropriate.
Open Settings and go to Network & internet. Depending on your connection, select Wi-Fi or Ethernet, then select the network connection you are currently using. Find the Network profile type option and select Private.
The navigation path is:
Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi or Ethernet > Your network connection > Network profile type > Private
On Windows 10, the wording and layout can vary slightly, but the same general network profile setting is available.
A private network tells Windows that you trust the other devices connected to that network. Do not use this configuration on a public Wi-Fi network simply to make sharing work.
Step 2: Turn On Network Discovery and File Sharing
Next, enable the Windows networking features required for sharing.
Open Control Panel, select Network and Internet, then open Network and Sharing Center. Select Change advanced sharing settings.
The navigation path is:
Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings
Under the Private networks section, turn on Network discovery. Then enable File and printer sharing.
These settings allow your computer to discover other devices and advertise shared folders or printers to devices on the same network.
If you cannot see another computer later, this is one of the first settings you should check.
If your goal is anonymous or guest access to a folder, first configure the folder itself for sharing.
Find the folder you want to share in File Explorer. Right-click it and select Properties. Open the Sharing tab and select Advanced Sharing.
The navigation path is:
File Explorer > Shared Folder > Right-click > Properties > Sharing > Advanced Sharing
Select Share this folder, then open Permissions.
Here, you can determine what network users are allowed to do. For example, you might allow Read access if users only need to view files. If users need to create, modify, or delete files, additional permissions may be necessary.
Remember that Windows uses both share permissions and NTFS permissions. The effective access is determined by the combination of these permissions.
Step 4: Configure the Folder’s Security Permissions
The Sharing tab controls network sharing, but the Security tab controls the underlying NTFS permissions.
Open the folder’s properties again and select Security.
The navigation path is:
Shared Folder > Properties > Security > Edit
You can review which accounts have permission to access the folder. If you are configuring guest-style access, make sure the appropriate Windows account or group has the required permissions.
Avoid giving Full control unless it is genuinely necessary. For a folder that only needs to be read from other computers, Read and Read & execute permissions are generally more appropriate.
This step is particularly important because successfully sharing a folder does not automatically mean every network user can access its contents.
Step 5: Allow Guest Authentication Where Supported
Windows security policies can prevent unauthenticated guest connections, particularly for SMB network shares.
On Windows editions that provide Local Group Policy Editor, press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
The navigation path is:
Windows + R > gpedit.msc > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Network > Lanman Workstation
Look for the policy named Enable insecure guest logons. If your Windows version provides this policy and your sharing setup specifically requires guest authentication, open the policy and select Enabled.
Then select Apply and OK.
This setting deserves special attention because guest SMB connections do not provide the same authentication protections as normal authenticated connections. Only enable it when you understand the security implications and the network is trusted.
Step 6: Check Local Security Policy
On Windows editions that include Local Security Policy, you can also review the policies controlling how guest accounts and network authentication behave.
Press Windows + R, type secpol.msc, and press Enter.
The navigation path is:
Windows + R > secpol.msc > Local Policies > Security Options
Review the relevant policies involving Network access, Guest account status, and LAN Manager authentication.
Do not randomly change authentication policies just to get a shared folder working. These settings affect Windows security beyond the particular folder or printer you are trying to share.
If your computer is managed by an organization, these settings may also be controlled by an administrator or domain policy.
Step 7: Configure Printer Sharing
If you want to allow network computers to use a shared printer, open Settings and go to your installed printers.
On Windows 11, the navigation path is:
Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Select your printer > Printer properties > Sharing
On Windows 10, use:
Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners > Select your printer > Manage > Printer properties > Sharing
Select Share this printer and provide a recognizable Share name.
The computer hosting the printer needs to remain connected to the network for other computers to use the shared printer.
You should also make sure File and Printer Sharing is allowed through Windows Firewall for the private network profile.
Once the settings are configured, test the connection from another Windows computer on the same private network.
For a shared folder, press Windows + R and enter the host computer’s name using the UNC format:
\\ComputerName\ShareName
You can also use the host computer’s local IP address if name-based access is not working.
The navigation path is:
Windows + R > \ComputerName\ShareName > Enter
For a shared printer, open the printer settings on the second computer and choose the option to add a printer. If the printer is not automatically discovered, you can try connecting to the shared printer using the host computer name and printer share name.
If Windows asks for credentials, the guest configuration may not be working, or a security policy may be blocking unauthenticated SMB access.
Step 9: Restart the Relevant Services or Computer
After changing networking and sharing policies, restarting Windows can help ensure that the new configuration is applied correctly.
Before restarting, save your work. Then restart both computers if necessary and test the connection again.
If the folder still cannot be accessed, verify the network profile, Network Discovery, File and Printer Sharing, firewall settings, share permissions, NTFS permissions, and guest authentication policy.
FAQs
Windows does support certain guest access configurations, but modern Windows versions restrict insecure guest authentication. You may need to change an appropriate security policy if your particular sharing setup requires it.
Is anonymous folder sharing safe?
It can reduce security because users may access a resource without normal Windows authentication. Use it only on a trusted private network and limit the permissions assigned to the shared folder.
Why does Windows keep asking for a username and password?
Windows may be blocking guest authentication because of its security policies. Check the Lanman Workstation guest authentication policy, network profile, share permissions, and NTFS permissions.
Yes. A shared printer can be accessed through a local network without requiring every computer to use the same Microsoft account. However, Windows security and printer-sharing policies still determine whether authentication is required.
This commonly happens when the folder’s share permissions or NTFS permissions do not allow access. Firewall settings and network discovery can also affect visibility and connectivity.
Should I enable guest access on public Wi-Fi?
No. Guest or anonymous sharing should not be enabled for an untrusted public network. Use a private network where you control the connected devices.
Final Words
Allowing anonymous or guest access to a shared folder or printer on Windows 11/10 requires more than simply turning on file sharing. You may need to configure the network profile, Network Discovery, File and Printer Sharing, share permissions, NTFS permissions, and, where appropriate, the guest authentication policy.
If you only need to share files between a few trusted computers, authenticated Windows sharing is generally preferable because it gives you better control over who can access the resource.
If guest access is specifically required, keep the shared permissions as restrictive as possible and use the configuration only on a trusted private network.