Lost Network access after W11 24H2 update

I’m no expert on networks and as I get older, and W11 introduces new “improvements” it seems I know less and less.

I have 3# W11 PC’s in the house that are networked via ethernet or WiFi.

One is my daily user, one a laptop (Wi-Fi) and the other a PC that I use as a “file server” and occasional use PC. All use the same build of W11 Pro and I had set up shares of the storage folders on my server without too many issues. That is until I installed 24H2 on the server and my PC.

Now I cannot access my server from my PC using any of the shortcuts I had established and can’t even see the server on the network.

I do use a MS account on all 3 PC’s so that One drive can sync my files and emails – but that’s another story ☹.

My experience with W11 updates is that it sometimes changes default settings, so I checked the shares were correct and they were both OK on my PC and the server.

However, when I try to access a previously working shortcut to my server I get:



Here there is a problem in that I haven’t used a password in years on my PC or the server. I tried any PW I may have used previously in the past without success.

I followed all the ideas from the replies given to niki12 but they don’t work, remote access will not work because my PC simply can’t see the server, even though I gave access per the instructions.

As an experiment I set up a new share on my PC, but from my server I can’t see it. I do however see a shared folder on my PC that I haven’t used in a while.



Checking a few other ideas, I looked at security settings on my PC for the new share and got:


When I check the same on the server for the Z drive previously shared I see.



If I try to change it by selecting one of the none highlighted options, it just reverts to authenticated.

I do have previous Macrium pre 24H2 backups I could try to restore, but who knows what will happen the next time W11 wants to install an update.

My networked printer is working to print from all PC’s, but if I try scan an image the device (Epson 4850) informs me it can’t access my PC.

My network is screwed up and I can’t figure out how to fix it.

I’m stumped – can anyone help me please.



John

britgeezer said:

I’m stumped – can anyone help me please.

Click to expand...

Starting in Windows Pro 24H2 Microsoft have disabled guest access by default to make it more secure, bringing it in line with Enterprise and Server editions that already block guest access. 24H2 Home is not affected and can still use insecure guest access by default.

You have two choices, either set a password for your server, or enable guest access in Group Policy on your W11 Pro 24H2 PC.

This article describes information about Windows disabling guest access in SMB2 and SMB3 by default, and provides settings to enable insecure guest logons in Group Policy. However, this is generally not recommended...

Configure your third-party SMB server device to require a username and password for SMB connections. If your device allows guest access, any device or person on your network can read or copy all of your shared data without any audit trail or credentials. If you can't configure your third-party device to be secure, you can enable insecure guest access with the following Group Policy settings....

...Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25267 and later also require SMB signing by default. You can't use guest access with SMB signing. To disable SMB signing, see Control SMB signing behavior (preview).

Click to expand...

Also...

SMB signing requirements can involve both outbound signing, which covers traffic from the SMB client, and inbound signing, which covers traffic to the server. Windows and Windows Server can require outbound signing only, inbound signing only, both, or neither. For example:

• Windows 11 Insiders Enterprise, Pro, and Education require both outbound and inbound SMB signing.
• Windows Server Insiders requires outbound SMB signing only.
• Windows 11 Insider Home edition doesn't require outbound or inbound SMB signing.

Click to expand...

See also:

Thanks so much. I figured it was something related to W11 "improvements" - I'll read up on your links and look for a way to add a password to my server.

Well, I put passwords on my PC's and ensured remote desktop was off.......
Still can't see my server on my Network

BTW, I don't have early access to updates turned on - so not sure why I got 24H2. Thankfully its not being offered to my LT.

Further input would be appreciated.

Now running 23H2 on all machines.
Is there a difference between a Pin and a password in respect of signing in?
I ask since I still cant see my server in the Network

ALL you have to do to make 24H2 behave EXACTLY like 23H2 did was to change this one little setting. You should not have to configure any passwords or anything else.



If it's still not working, then my guess is that your previous attempts to fix the issue by changing permissions and creating passwords created additional issues.

I tried that.
I'm now back on 23H2 on all PC's and still unable to see my server.
In process of setting fixed IP's and local accounts .....

Probably should close this thread.