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I have a new Windows 7 machine named PAP44 in the PAP workgroup. The networking is set to "Work" mode for the wired LAN.

I have a couple of users and I've shared a folder and set it so both users can read/write. Confusingly for me, rather than sharing just that folder (as I'm used to with older versions of Windows) it appears to be sharing a path (\\pap44\users\...\myFolder)

From another machine on the LAN, running XP, when I go to \\PAP44\Users I'm asked for a username and password, but neither of the usernames+passwords work. It just jumps back to the username and password dialogue, except that the username I entered gets prefixed with PAP44\

My end goal is to get my Debian/Ubuntu machines to be able to access this share, but first of all I thought I'd try to get it working in Windows, after all, that's supposed to be easy!

Is there another step? (PS. I am not a "hit and run" case!)

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  • What happens if you hit the full share path and not just \\pap44\users?
    – Nixphoe
    Jun 27, 2012 at 15:07
  • Same problem. Also, I've just tried "Advanced Sharing" (aka how it used to work) that creates a direct share to the folder, as in \\pap44\myFolder and this has the same issues. Jun 27, 2012 at 15:08
  • @artfulrobot, Is the share everyone read-write or user read-write? I believe that you need everyone read-write in addition to disabling file sharing password protection for the XP machine to access the share. That is the only way I have done shares in situations similar to this. Jun 27, 2012 at 17:34
  • @Somantra yes, it is. But I think the problem with that is that it won't let me turn off password protection. I click No passwords, click Apply, window goes away. Open up the advanced blah blah window again, and the option is re-set to Passwords! Jun 28, 2012 at 11:24
  • @artfulrobot, dare I ask if it is Windows 7 Home Premium? I can't even ask without rolling my eyes ;-) Jun 28, 2012 at 12:15

3 Answers 3

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Make sure you're using credentials for an account which is created on Windows 7. Also I would check NTFS permissions for that shared folder on the Security tab.

Otherwise you can try to disable pwd prompt to check if the issue is credentials-related.

Open "Control Panel > Open "Network & Sharing Centre > Select "Advanced Sharing settings > Expand "Home / Work Network > Scroll to "Password protection > Select "Turn Off Password Protect Sharing.

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  • Thanks for your time. Yep, I'm using the credentials I set up on the W7 machine. The NTFS permissions are open for all users. I disabled passwords as suggested and it now says "Logon failure: the user has not been granted the requested logon type at this computer." Jun 27, 2012 at 15:00
  • Actually, I did disable passwords, pressed Save, the dialog went away, but re-opening it shows that passwords are still enabled! Doesn't seem to like me turning them off. [Sigh] in a world without walls, who needs windows?! Jun 27, 2012 at 15:52
  • Hmm, I suppose you should try changing this setting via registry: Run type "regedit.exe", then go here: HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\limitblankpassworduse and change from "1" to "0". Jun 27, 2012 at 17:20
  • Thanks for tip. All this registry voodoo makes me nervous - difficult to maintain (I have 4 of these to set up!). I'll try that soon. Jun 28, 2012 at 11:25
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As @inhabitant already mentioned, the short answer is you need to disable file sharing password protection on the Windows 7 machine.

Here is a good link on the topic.

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itpronetworking/thread/a25bb8f4-fa03-436c-9c33-6c90c7b0723f

Relevant Excerpt:

When you mark a share as Everyone read/write, the Windows 7 system still requires authentication from every connection. When that fails the connection is rejected.

As soon as you disable file sharing password protection, you enable Guest access. This enables access to the share without authentication. This will allow access to the system from an XP machine.

By default the authentication from XP is not compatible with Windows 7, that's why you can only access the share without authentication.

If you want to use an SMB share between various MS OS and Linux, I would suggest looking at setting up a SAMBA share.

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  • (sorry if this is a daft question:) When you say look at setting up a Samba share, do you mean on a linux server? I can do this, but there's a specific use-case (Quickbooks) that sort-of requires me to have data on the W7 machine. I want my Debian server to be able to access these files so that I can back them up. Jun 27, 2012 at 15:46
  • Yes, on a Linux server. I would say that with my limited understanding of your use-case, the simplest solution is Dropbox. It is very good on Linux and Windows. Google Drive has a Linux version too, but it is a lot younger than Dropbox. The LAN-Sync is a nice feature and you have access to previous revisions of every file if you have the Pat-Rack option. dropbox.com/help/11/en And perhaps most importantly you can bypass Windows-Permission hell and greatly simplify access control, if you're into that sort of thing. Jun 27, 2012 at 15:58
  • thanks. I only buy Windows PCs if specific software requires it these days. Such a headache. Jun 27, 2012 at 16:11
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Provide a good routing table with static IPs on the internal card. Make sure the default gateway is the internet card. To access win 7 from XP you must have public network as location for the win 7 machine and install IPv6 on the XP machine. IPv6 just as to be left at DHCP everywhere. MacOs and XP machines only work on the public network location for the win 7 groups.

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