How to turn off password protected sharing in Windows 11

December 2022 · 5 minute read
Turn off password protected sharing in Windows 11

XINSTALL BY CLICKING THE DOWNLOAD FILE

Fix Windows 11 OS errors with Restoro PC Repair Tool:This software repairs common computer errors by replacing the problematic system files with the initial working versions. It also keeps you away from critical file loss, hardware failure, and repairs damages made by malware and viruses. Fix PC issues and remove viruses now in 3 easy steps:
  • Download Restoro PC Repair Tool that comes with Patented Technologies (patent available here).
  • Click Start Scan to find Windows 11 issues that could be causing PC problems.
  • Click Repair All to fix issues affecting your computer's security and performance

    • Whenever you share files, folders, or other resources over a network, not everyone can access it unless they have the right credentials, since these are password protected by default.

    So, if you want to share resources with everyone, we have listed all the ways you can turn off password protected sharing in Windows 11.

    With the password protection enabled, only people with a user account and password on the same system will be able to access shared resources. But as soon as you turn off the setting, anyone on the network can access these.

    There are basically three ways to turn off password protected sharing in Windows 11, and we have listed them all. Choose the one that best suits you to quickly make the change.

    Should I turn off password protected sharing in Windows 11?

    There is no one answer to this question, and it all comes down to the resources being shared and the users it’s being shared with. If you are sharing certain folders or devices on a home network, it wouldn’t be a big deal to turn off password protected sharing.

    So, weigh the pros and cons of disabling password protection, to help make an informed decision.

    How can I turn off password protected sharing in Windows 11?

    1. Via Control Panel

  • Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu.
  • Enter Control Panel in the text field at the top, and click on the relevant search result that appears.Launch Control Panel to turn off password protected sharing in Windows 11
  • Select Network and Internet from the options that appear.Network & Internet
  • Click on Network and Sharing Center.Network and Sharing Center
  • Next, click on Change advanced sharing settings from the list of options on the left.Change advanced sharing settings
  • Click on All Networks at the bottom to view the password protected sharing settings.All networks
  • Finally, select the Turn off password protected sharing option and click on Save changes at the bottom.Turn off password protected sharing in Windows 11

    • Expert Tip: Some PC issues are hard to tackle, especially when it comes to corrupted repositories or missing Windows files. If you are having troubles fixing an error, your system may be partially broken. We recommend installing Restoro, a tool that will scan your machine and identify what the fault is.
    Click here to download and start repairing.

    Once done modifying the settings, restart the computer, and the password protected sharing will be turned off in Windows 11.

    2. Via Registry

    Note icon
    NOTE

    Modifying the Registry is a critical process and any lapse on your part can render the computer useless. We recommend following the steps listed here as is and make no other changes.

  • Press Windows + R to launch the Run command.
  • Type/paste regedit in the text field, and either click on OK or hit Enter to launch the Registry Editor.Launch Registry to turn off password protected sharing in Windows 11n
  • Click Yes on the UAC (User Account Control) prompt that pops up.
  • Paste the following path in the address bar at the top and hit Enter, and then double-click on the everyoneincludeanonymous REG_DWORD:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\LsaNavigate path
  • Enter 1 under Value data and click on OK to save the changes.Modify Value Data
  • Next, navigate to the following path or paste it in the address bar and hit Enter, and double-click on the restrictnullsessaccess REG_DWORD:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\ParametersNavigate the path
  • Enter 0 under Value data and click on OK to save the changes.Modify value data and save changes
  • Close the Registry Editor and restart the computer to turn off password protected sharing in Windows 11.

    • If the Registry appears corrupt or the system’s performance appears downgraded in the recent past, do not hesitate to learn how to fix broken Registry items in Windows 11.

    3. Via Local Users and Groups

  • Press Windows + R to launch the Run command.
  • Type/paste lusrmgr.msc in the text field, and either click on OK or hit Enter to launch the Local Users and Groups window.Launch Local Users and Groups
  • Click on the Users entry on the right.Click Users to turn off password protected sharing in windows 11
  • Next, right-click on Guest and select Properties from the context menu.Guest properties
  • Now, tick the checkbox for Password never expires and untick the others, and click on OK to save the changes.Password never expires to turn off password protected sharing in Windows 11
  • Restart the computer and password protected sharing would be turned off in Windows 11.

    • What do I do if password protected sharing can’t be disabled?

    While the methods listed above work smoothly for most users, some have reported that they are unable to turn off password protected sharing. This could be due to a bunch of reasons, including misconfigured settings.

    We recommend following the methods listed here as is, and if things still don’t work out, check our dedicated guide on fixing issues preventing you from disabling password protected sharing in Windows.

    Though the guide is for Windows 10, the methods listed should work just as well on the latest iteration.

    These are all the ways you can turn off password protected sharing in Windows 11. But before you do, consider the privacy and security of shared resources as well. Also, check our curated list of the 10 best file-sharing tools in Windows.

    Tell us which method you choose to turn off password protected sharing in Windows 11, in the comments section below.

    ncG1vNJzZmivmaOxsMPSq5ypp6Kpe6S7zGirrqqeYrynsoypmKyrp6S%2FpXnPq6atnZOpsqV50qGYq6GenHq4tc2dprCrXWZ%2BcA%3D%3D