Unable to connect to PC on same network, says wrong password but it is correct

[King Mustard]

I have two PCs on my network, Upstairs-PC and Downstairs-PC. Both run Windows 11.

I recently had to reinstall Windows 11 on my downstairs PC.

Since then, even though I believe I have set up sharing as normal, when I try to access \\Downstairs-PC, it tells me my credentials are incorrect.

Both computers are logged into my Microsoft account.

I have tried entering my Microsoft email address as my username, as well as Downstairs-PC and .\Downstairs-PC.

For the password, I have tried both the system password and the password to my Microsoft account. Neither are working.

I have disabled the firewall on both systems, just in case.

Any ideas?

[AGTDenton]

Have you considered creating a local account on the Downstairs-PC as opposed to using a Microsoft Account?

It might just make things easier.

You could also downgrade it from an Admin to User if you're concerned of any security aspects.

[jimbouk]

Windows file sharing is a horrible mess. I have given up and just use an external drive if I need to copy things between machines in the house.

First up can you see the other machine on your network at all? Should be able to enter "\\machine-name" in a window explorer address bar and hopefully at least something will show up. If that's all good then there should be advanced properties on the file share - try using that to give explicit permissions to your microsoft account.

[Saracen999]

....

You could also downgrade it from an Admin to User if you're concerned of any security aspects.

That's something I do automatically on any system I set up (which, these days, is only my own) UNLESS a specific account needs admin access. i think it's a sensible and basic precaution.

As for the networking issue, I hesitate to even comment. I can usually muddle my way through, often accompanied by a fair bit of muttering and mumbling, liberally interspersed with anglo-saxon expletives, but a network guru I ain't. Last time I had a "credentials" issue it turned outto be to do with my windows self-certification having got lost in a rebuild. it took my about 2 days to work out how to recreate the relevant certificates, despite having done it in about 20 minutes when I first did it. Progress, huh?

However ... I am certainly not comfortable even pointing in that direction this time, as I have a feeling it would be a large red herring, and 100% useless as a suggestion. But if all else fails ....



Oh, and I do everything on local accounts. i don't use any MS online services (like 365, Outlook, cloud, etc), or MS store or anything requiring an MS account so naturally, being me, I refuse to have one. All works fine (eventually) without.