Why can’t I open shared folders in Windows 10?

The version of Windows 10, like the previous versions, comes with the shared folders function, which is used to send information contained in files, documents, and presentations (among others) to other users.

However, several users have reported problems or errors that occur in the operating system when trying to enter any of the folders that the device has, here you will learn how to open shared folders in Windows 10.

Index( )

1. What to do if you can’t access a shared folder in Windows 10?
   1. Check that the ‘File Sharing’ setting is enabled
   2. Using network stop for ‘cannot access shared folder’ error
2. How to open a shared folder if this problem continues?
   1. Check team credentials
   2. Enable network services on your PC
3. How to run Windows 10 ‘Troubleshooter’?

What to do if you can’t access a shared folder in Windows 10?

There are numerous ways to fix the problem with shared folders in Windows 10, a good tip is to check that all the programs that Windows uses to perform this action are activated . That is, the detection of networks, system network services or having the Windows file sharing option enabled, among other programs.

Check that the ‘File Sharing’ setting is enabled

It is possible that when trying to exchange a file or document in a folder, it does not allow this action to be executed, this may be due to the fact that the ‘File sharing’ function is deactivated and is the cause of the problem, to enable said function, proceed to perform the following indications:

1. On the main Windows screen, go to the Windows start menu and on the left panel click on the gear icon called ‘Settings’.
2. It will direct you to a new tab called ‘Windows Settings’ and click on the Network and Internet option.
3. In the left panel click on the option called ‘Status’ represented by the icon of a monitor and a world wide web.
4. Next, on the right side of the screen, find and click on Sharing optionson the computer screen.
5. In the ‘File and printer sharing’ section you should check the box ‘Turn on file sharing on printers’ and you will have already enabled this function. When finished, click on ‘Save changes’.

Using network stop for ‘cannot access shared folder’ error

In case the previous procedure does not work, you can also use network detection for shared folders, to achieve this follow the following procedure:

1. Enter the Start menu with the Windows icon and press the ‘Settings’ option. Then go to ‘Network and Internet’.
2. Go to the ‘Status’ optionon the left side of the screen and then ‘Sharing Options’.
3. Now, in the ‘Network Discovery’ panel you need to enable network discovery by checking the box next to the option. When you finish with the configuration you must touch on ‘Save changes’.

How to open a shared folder if this problem continues?

Another way to fix the problem is by using a Windows 10 command to enter it and fix the persistent problem, to do so proceed with the following steps:

1. Simultaneously press on the key with the Windows icon and the letter ‘R’, this will open the ‘Run’ program.
2. In the field type the command ‘gpedit.msc’ and press ‘OK’. In the new tab , click on the Administrative Templates folder.
3. In the options that will be displayed click on the following folder called ‘Network’ and then on the right side of the screen click on ‘Lanman workstation’.
4. On the Settings tab, click Enable non-secure guest logins. In the new box that will appear, check the ‘Enabled’ option.
5. Finally, click on the ‘Apply’ option found in the right corner of the box and then ‘OK’, by doing this you should now be able to access the shared folder.

Check team credentials

If the previous methods are still without results, you can try other procedures that will be explained in this tutorial, including the computer credentials, to do so, execute the following step by step:

1. Open the Windows 10 menuand search the field for ‘Control Panel’, click on the program that appears.
2. Then , go to User accountsrepresented by the icon of two people, then click on ‘Credential Manager’ in the alternatives that will be displayed.
3. Now, in the new tab click on the option called ‘Windows Credentials’ and click on ‘Add a new credential’.
4. Complete the necessary fields with information and when finished, select the ‘Accept’ optionon the right side.

Enable network services on your PC

In order to access shared folders, all network services must be activated in Windows 10, to do so follow the procedure below:

1. Proceed to enter the Windows menu and search for ‘Run’, when loading the search results press on the program.
2. In the small box that appears, write the following command: services.msc and click on the ‘OK’ option to open the program.
3. To finish, you must right click with the mouse on WLAN Auto Configurationand then on ‘Start’. All network services must be connected and activated for the procedure to be correct.

How to run Windows 10 ‘Troubleshooter’?

Windows 10 and its previous versions have a tool called ‘Troubleshooter’ that is very useful to analyze and correct this type of problem , proceed with the following steps:

1. Go to the ‘Settings’ in the Windows menu and in the new dashboard click on the option ‘Updates and Security’.
2. On the left side of the new tab, tap on Troubleshootingand then on the ‘Shared folders’ option.
3. Finally, you must restart the computer to verify that it now allows you to access the shared folders on it.