Tech News Today
  • Hardware
    • Motherboards
    • CPUs
    • Graphic Cards
    • RAM
    • SSDs
    • Computer Cases
    • Monitors
    • Peripherals
    • Power Supply Unit
    • PC Builds
    • Computer Tips
  • Software
  • Operating System
    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
  • Gaming
  • Mobile
  • Console
  • More
    • Internet
    • Networking
    • Security
    • Buyer’s Guide
    • Gadgets
    • Laptops
    • Reviews
    • How To
    • News
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Tech News Today
  • Hardware
    • Motherboards
    • CPUs
    • Graphic Cards
    • RAM
    • SSDs
    • Computer Cases
    • Monitors
    • Peripherals
    • Power Supply Unit
    • PC Builds
    • Computer Tips
  • Software
  • Operating System
    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
  • Gaming
  • Mobile
  • Console
  • More
    • Internet
    • Networking
    • Security
    • Buyer’s Guide
    • Gadgets
    • Laptops
    • Reviews
    • How To
    • News
Tech News Today
Home»Networking»Fix: Windows Cannot Access Network Drive

Fix: Windows Cannot Access Network Drive

Nishant AryalBy Nishant AryalFebruary 23, 2023
windows-cannot-access-network-drive

The error message “Windows Cannot Access Network Drive” is primarily a problem generated by improper network sharing configurations. The problem is often seen when users do not have sufficient permissions to access the shared drive or file. In rare cases, issues with the local network sharing protocols such as SMB can affect accessing the drive.

Sometimes, the network drive access is restricted with an error message “Your organization’s security policies block unauthenticated guest access.” Other times, the network drive access error occurs with the code 0x80004005. There are several reasons for this error to occur and there are no straightforward ways of resolving it.

We have compiled some probable fixes which might certainly help you access the shared network drive. 

Table of Contents

  • Enable File/Printer Sharing and Network discovery
  • Grant Network Sharing Permissions
  • Grant Security Permission
  • Enable SMB Protocol
  • Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP
  • Turn off Password-protected Sharing 
  • Restart the Services 
  • Enable Lanman Workstation

Enable File/Printer Sharing and Network discovery

The first thing you have to check is if the resource-sharing features such as File/ Printer Sharing and Network discovery are turned on.

  1. Press Windows Key + I to open Settings. 
  2. Go to Network & Internet > Advanced network settings. 
    advanced internet settings
  3. Then, go to Advanced network settings.
    advanced sharing settings
  4. Click on the Network discovery and File and printer sharing sliders to turn the features on.
    network discovery

Grant Network Sharing Permissions

Once the basic network sharing configuration is set, you must check that you have permission for the user to access the network drive. To access anything over a shared network you must have permission from the network administrator.

Note: This process is meant just for home users with full control over the network. For work or enterprise-level network sharing you must consult with the network administrator.  

  1. Right-click on the drive you wish to share over the network.
  2. Select Properties. 
    drive properties
  3. Go to the Sharing tab.
    sharing tab
  4. Click on the Advanced Sharing button.
  5. Check the Share this folder option.
    share this folder
  6. Finally, click on Ok to save the changes and check from the other device if you are able to access the shared drive. 

Grant Security Permission

Once you assign the network sharing permissions, you must add the user to the security list as well. Through this, you can control to what extent the user can have control over the shared network drive. For now, we will show you how you can assign full permissions to the user named “Everyone”.

  1. Right-click on the drive you want to share on the network and select Properties.
  2. Go to the Security tab and click on the Edit button. 
    edit security permissions
  3. Click on Add. 
    add user for security permissions
  4. Then in the Select Users or Groups Window, click on Advanced. 
    advanced options in add user for permission
  5. Now, click on Find Now and select Everyone from the search list. Click on OK.
    add everyone in the list of the user
  6. From the Permissions for Everyone Section, assign Full control and click on Apply. 
    grant full control
  7. Finally, try accessing the drive from your computer.

Enable SMB Protocol

Windows uses the SMB protocol for network sharing with non-Windows devices. There are chances that this client-server communication protocol is disabled on your system. The system might also only support SMBv2 or higher for network sharing. Here’s a quick workaround for enabling SMB 2.0 with some command lines.

  1. Open PowerShell with administrative privileges.
  2. Enter these commands to check the status of the SMB protocol.
    Get-SmbServerConfiguration | Select EnableSMB2Protocol
    powershell chck the status of smb
  3. If you find SMB protocol status is labeled False, you will need to enable it using this command line.
    Set-SmbServerConfiguration -EnableSMB2Protocol $true
    enable smb 2 protocol
  4. When asked Type Y and hit enter for final confirmation.

For older devices, you may have to enable SMB 1.0 file-sharing support as well. Although this protocol is already deprecated and not safe to use, some users are able to regain access to the network drive by enabling SMB 1.0 file-sharing protocol on Windows. You can enable this feature temporarily and see if this makes the network sharing work. 

  1. Press Windows key + R, type optionalfeatures, and hit Enter. 
  2. Find SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support and check the feature.
    OPTIONAL FEATURES
  3. Click on OK to save the changes.
  4. Finally, check if you are able to access the shared drive.

Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP

NetBIOS is a protocol that facilitates resource sharing among the computers connected to a local network. If NetBIOS is disabled any service requiring it might fail to function properly which can make the shared network drive inaccessible. 

To solve the problem ensure that every computer on the network has NetBIOS over TCP/IP enabled. 

  1. Press Windows Key + R, type services.msc and press enter. 
  2. Search for TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper and double-click to open it. 
    TCPIP netbios helper services
  3. Set the Startup type to Automatic. 
    TCPiP net bios stattup automatic
  4. Click on Apply to save the changes. 

Once you have reconfigured the startup settings for the NetBIOS, you will have to enable it over the network adapter as well. 

  1. Again Open Run, type ncpa.cpl and hit enter. 
  2. Right-click on the network adapter and select Properties. 
    network adapter properties
  3. Search for Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click on it. 
    ipv4 settings
  4. Click on the Properties button. 
  5. Click on the Advanced button. 
    ipv4 advanced peroperties
  6. Go to the WINS tab and click on Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP option. Click on OK to save the changes.
     enable NetBIOS over TCP IP

Turn off Password-protected Sharing 

This method is only suggested for the home network. If you have turned on password-protected sharing, try disabling the feature. This will allow you to access the network drive without entering any login credentials. 

  1. Press Windows Key + I to open up Settings.
    advanced internet settings
  2. Go to Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced Sharing Settings. 
    advanced sharing settings
  3. Click on All networks and then click on the Password protected sharing slider to turn the feature off. 
    Password protected sharing off

Restart the Services 

Some users experiencing the same issue have reported that many important network-sharing-related services were not running on connected computers. They seem to have resolved the issue after restarting such services. 

  1. Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and hit enter.
  2. Search for Function Discovery Provider Host in the services list and double-click to open it. 
    function discovery provider host service
  3. If the service has been stopped click on the start button to start the service.
    start the function discovery provider host service 
  4. Similarly, search these services and check if they are running properly. If not, start the services accordingly. 
    • Function Discovery Resource Publication
    • Function Discovery Provider Host
    • UPnP Device Host
    • SSDP Discovery
    • DCP Client
    • DHCP Client

Enable Lanman Workstation

Sometimes Windows is not able to access the shared drive or folder with an error message saying that “Organization’s security policy blocks the unauthenticated block guest access.” In such a situation, enabling the Lanman Workstation policy setting in the file server will solve the problem. 


Note: Important SMB features get disabled after you enable this setting. This can lead to security vulnerabilities in the server. It is not recommended to use this feature in an enterprise network. 

  1. Press Windows key + R, type gpedit.msc and hit Enter.
  2. Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Network > Lanman Workstation 
    local group policy editor Lanman workstation
  3. Double click on Enable insecure guest logons.
  4. Click on Enable and then OK. 
    enable insecure guest login
how-to
Nishant Aryal
  • LinkedIn

Nishant is an enthusiast who loves writing about technology. He also is heavily invested in keeping himself updated about the latest happenings in the tech world. At Tech News Today, he covers Operating Systems, how-to-topics, and Fixes.

Related Posts

how to forward ports

How to Port Forward on Router—Complete Guide

May 16, 2023
my computer wont connect to the internet but others will

Fix: My Computer Won’t Connect to the Internet But Others Will

April 28, 2023
powershell-get-ip-address

How to Get IP Address in PowerShell (Private & Public)

April 18, 2023
ethernet splitter vs switch

Ethernet Splitter Vs Switch—What’s the Difference?

April 17, 2023
usb-vs-pcie-wifi

USB Vs PCIe Wi-Fi—Which One is Better?

March 31, 2023
my computer won't connect to wifi

Fixed: My Computer Won’t Connect to Wi-Fi

March 17, 2023
Add A Comment

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Latest Posts
Best-1200W-PSU

8 Best 1200W PSUs for Extreme PC Builds in 2023

May 16, 2023
Best-1000W-PSU

10 Best 1000W PSUs in 2023

May 16, 2023
best-700w-psu

10 Best 700W PSUs for Gaming in 2023

May 14, 2023
You may also like
antimalware service executable high memory

Fix: Antimalware Service Executable High Memory

May 18, 2023
printer-printing-pink

Why is My Printer Printing Pink? 6 Ways to Fix It

May 18, 2023
how to clean usb c port

How to Clean USB-C Port Safely

May 17, 2023
Recommended
Cookie Clicker Garden Guide

Cookie Clicker Garden Guide to Unlocking Every Seed

September 26, 2021
monitor no signal

Computer Turns On But Monitor Says No Signal (9 Ways To Fix)

November 10, 2022
Facebook Twitter Pinterest
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Our Team
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Affiliate Disclosure
© 2023 TechNewsToday, editor@technewstoday.com | Tech Central Pvt. Ltd.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.