How to Turn Off Password-Protected Sharing in Windows 11

When you try to share files or folders on your network, Windows 11 may require other users to enter a username and password before gaining access. This security feature is called Password-Protected Sharing. While it’s great for protecting sensitive files, it can get in the way if you’re sharing folders on a trusted home network, streaming media, or quickly exchanging files between devices without extra prompts.

The good news is that you can easily turn off Password-Protected Sharing in Windows 11, allowing anyone on your local network to access shared folders without authentication. In this guide, we’ll walk you through several methods to disable it safely.

1. Turn Off Password-Protected Sharing from Advanced Sharing Settings

This is the most straightforward method and works for all Windows 11 editions.

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Network & Internet.
3. Scroll down and click Advanced network settings.
4. Under More settings, click Advanced sharing settings.
5. Expand All networks.
6. Scroll down to Password-protected sharing.
7. Select Turn off password-protected sharing.
8. Close the Settings app.

Your shared folders can now be accessed by anyone on your private network without a username or password.

2. Turn Off Password-Protected Sharing Using Control Panel

If you prefer the classic Control Panel layout, this method works exactly like earlier Windows versions.

1. Press Start, type Control Panel, and open it.
2. Click Network and Internet.
3. Select Network and Sharing Center.
4. In the left sidebar, click Change advanced sharing settings.
5. Scroll down to All Networks.
6. Under Password-protected sharing, choose Turn off password-protected sharing.
7. Click Save changes.

This immediately disables password requirements for shared folders.

3. Disable Password-Protected Sharing Using Local Group Policy Editor

This option is available on Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to: Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options
3. Find the policy Accounts: Limit local account use of blank passwords to console logon only.
4. Double-click it.
5. Set it to Disabled.
6. Click Apply and OK.

This allows users without passwords to access shared files remotely.

Note: This reduces security and should only be used in a fully trusted network.

4. Turn Off Password Requirement by Creating a Guest-Accessible Share

If you only want certain folders accessible without passwords:

1. Right-click the folder you want to share.
2. Select Properties.
3. Go to the Sharing tab.
4. Click Advanced Sharing.
5. Enable Share this folder.
6. Click Permissions.
7. Select Everyone.
8. Choose Read or Full Control depending on your needs.
9. Click OK.

As long as Password-Protected Sharing is disabled, anyone on your network can now open this shared folder instantly.

5. Restart the “Function Discovery Provider Host” Services

Sometimes Windows won’t apply sharing changes until certain services are running.

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
2. Find and double-click Function Discovery Provider Host.
3. Set Startup type to Automatic.
4. Click Start, then OK.
5. Repeat this for Function Discovery Resource Publication.

These services help other devices discover your shared folders properly.

Important Security Note

Turning off Password-Protected Sharing makes your shared folders accessible to anyone on your private network. Only disable it if:

• You’re on a trusted home or office network
• You know all devices and users connected
• You’re not sharing sensitive files

Do not disable it on public Wi-Fi or shared networks.

Wrapping Up

Password-Protected Sharing can be useful, but it also slows you down when you just want quick access to files across your own devices. By turning it off through Advanced Sharing Settings, Control Panel, Group Policy, or folder-level permissions, you can share files instantly without password prompts.

If your shared folders still don’t appear on other devices, restarting the Function Discovery services or rebooting your PC usually solves the problem. Once everything is set up, Windows 11 makes network sharing fast and seamless on trusted networks.