Network Drive Worked in Win 7 but can't access in Win 11

[Cody Coyote]

I have a network drive with my backup files on it. Under Windows 7, I could access it like any other drive (as could other PCs on the network). I purchased a new PC with Win 11 and now I can't open any folders on the network drive. I can see the drive listed and and I can access the drive and see my folders but I can't open them. When I try, I get a pop-up window asking me to enter my network credentials. I have no idea what they are talking about. I never had to do that under Win 7. The only "network" I have is my wi-fi network. I enter the name and password for it and it won't accept it. The pop-up window reappears. I had no trouble accessing my backups under Win 7 but Win 11 won't let me open the folders. How do I get around this? Is there a wat to bypass all this extra Win 11 security?

 

[RogerOver]

Found this: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...tials-on/cb972a7f-2beb-41ff-856e-8e90be6bb33e
See second reply ! No clue whether it will work. But as your old system was Windows 7 there is a chance it could work !

 

[Cody Coyote]

I had already done that. All settings are set to allow full access by anyone on the network, no password protection, etc.

Also, I've gone to the Credential manager and it shows the network that pops up when I try to access the folders, but there is no "show" button to click to show me the password. I didn't need a password in Win 7, I just want to eliminate the need so I can assess my backup files.

 

[RogerOver]

There are other solutions, but all depends a bit on whether you have a local accont or a Microsoft account, I think.
You could try to log into save mode or try to log into the Microsoft "build in administrator account", which is a special administrator account, that has even higher priviledges than the normal administrator account. To enter this account, you
need to type the following at cmd prompt (with admin rights !): "net user administrator /active:yes".

It will confirm whether the action was a succes. Then "log off". When logging in again, you will see two accounts: your usual user /administrator account and the newly created special administrator account. Log into the new account (may take some time, because windows will create the account) and try to open the inaccessible folders again from this account.

When successful, log out of the new account and go back into your user account. Don't forget to type "net user administrator /active:no". From your user account !!! This will remove the newly created account, which is necessary for security reasons.

There is also another solution to remove passwords for
a) the administrator and
b) the user
through the cmd prompt (3rd option !!! on the following page) : https://www.top-password.com/blog/5-ways-to-remove-the-administrator-password-in-windows-10/
In a local account, just type a star (*) behind the indicated cmd prompt for the user, respectively the administrator. Then you will be asked for a new user or administrator password. Hit enter (twice) instead of a password and all passwords should be gone.

Good luck

 

[Cody Coyote]

I should add that my network drive I'm talking about is connected to the network (modem) via an ethernet cable.

 

[Cody Coyote]

I solved it! Despite the fact that this problem only cropped up after installing Windows 11, the actual source was connected to the Seagate drive itself. I finally figured that out and with some effort, have regained access to my drive and files. Thanks for your suggestions Roger. By trying, and eliminating Windows options, I turned inward and figured out it was a Seagate issue.