After upgrading to Windows 10, many users experience an issue where they’re asked to enter a username and password when trying to access shared folders or printers on another PC within the same network. This usually happens even when no password is set, and all network settings appear identical across devices. If you’re seeing a prompt like “Enter network credentials” while trying to connect, this guide explains why it happens and how to prevent it.
What Causes the Network Credential Prompt in Windows 10?
When you access a shared folder or printer on another Windows 10 computer, the operating system attempts to authenticate your connection. If that target computer has “password-protected sharing” enabled, and you’re not using an account it recognizes, Windows will block access until valid credentials are provided. This is a security measure to prevent unauthorized access.
Even if you don’t recall setting any passwords, Windows may still require authentication if the sharing settings are set to “password protected” by default.
In some cases, the issue may also be due to leftover credential cache or saved usernames that are no longer valid, triggering repeated credential prompts.
Scenario Example
Imagine you have three computers in an office. All of them are connected to the same network, and you’ve upgraded two of them from Windows 7 to Windows 10. One of them can access shared folders normally, but the other two ask for a username and password each time you try to connect. You’re sure no passwords were set, and all network sharing settings seem identical.
This is a common situation, and it can be resolved by adjusting a few simple settings.
How to Fix It – Step by Step
1. Disable Password-Protected Sharing (on the host PC)
The most effective solution is to disable password-protected sharing on the computer that is hosting the shared folder or printer.
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On the host PC (the one with the shared resources), open Control Panel
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Go to Network and Sharing Center
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Click Change advanced sharing settings on the left sidebar
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Scroll down to the All Networks section
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Under “Password protected sharing,” select Turn off password protected sharing
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Click Save changes
Once this setting is turned off, other devices on the same network can access shared folders without needing to enter any credentials, even if no account exists on the host computer.
2. Remove Stored Credentials (on the client PC)
If you’ve previously attempted to log in using a wrong username or password, that information may be saved and could interfere with new connection attempts.
To clear these saved credentials:
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Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog
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Type
control keymgr.dllorcontrol userpasswords2and press Enter -
In the User Accounts or Credential Manager window, go to the Advanced tab
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Click Manage Passwords or Credential Manager
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Under Windows Credentials, expand the entries related to the target PC
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Click Remove for each relevant item
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Restart the client PC and try connecting again
This clears any incorrect credential data and forces Windows to connect fresh, without trying to reuse faulty login attempts.
Additional Tips
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Use the same Workgroup name for all computers in the network
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Enable File and Printer Sharing on all PCs under the same network settings menu
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Ensure that Network Discovery is turned on for all machines
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If the PC is part of a domain or controlled network, group policy settings might override local sharing preferences
Common Misunderstanding Clarified
In many help forums or community replies, users mistakenly suggest removing or resetting saved passwords to fix this issue. However, that only solves part of the problem. The real root cause in most cases is that the host PC is enforcing password-protected sharing, even when no local user accounts exist.
By turning off password-protected sharing on the PC you’re trying to access, you eliminate the need for credentials altogether. This solution is particularly useful in small offices or home networks where security is managed physically rather than via system-level accounts.
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The “Enter network credentials” prompt in Windows 10 usually appears because of password-protected sharing on the host PC
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Disabling that setting allows guest connections without authentication
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Clearing saved credentials on the client PC can resolve repeated prompt issues
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This is a safe and effective fix for trusted networks, like offices or homes
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