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All about maintenance and optimization of your Windows System.
Aug 19, 2025
Password protected sharing is a security feature that requires network users to authenticate with a valid user name and password before accessing your shared folders, printers, or public shares. In a home or small-office environment where ease of access is more important than lockdown security, you may prefer to turn this feature off so that anyone on your local LAN can browse shared resources without a credential prompt. This article walks you through three different ways to disable password-protected sharing in Windows 11.
Control Panel is a built-in tool on your device that is perfectly safe and easy to use, and allows you to make system modifications in no time.
1. Press Windows key + R, type control.exe /name Microsoft.NetworkAndSharingCenter, and press Enter.
2. In the Network and Sharing Center window, click Change advanced sharing settings in the left pane.
3. Under the All networks section, click the down arrow to expand it.
4. Scroll down to the Password protected sharing subsection and turn it off.
Your machine now allows unauthenticated users on the same network to access shares that have permissions for Everyone or Guest.
This method is only available on Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education.
1. Press Windows key + R, type lusrmgr.msc, and press Enter.
2. In the left pane, select Users, and double-click the Guest item to check the Password never expires option and untick the others. Click Apply and OK to save the changes.
3. Restart the computer, and password protected sharing will be turned off in Windows 11.
Modifying the Registry is a critical process, and any lapse on your part can render the computer useless. We recommend that you make a backup of your registry first.
1. Press Windows key + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Navigate to the key by following this path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlLsa
2. From the right panel, locate and double-click on everyoneincludeanonymous and set its Value data to 1. Click OK to save it.
3. Go to the following location and locate this restrictnullsessaccess registry from the right panel.
ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesLanmanServerParameters
4. Double-click on the registry and set its Value data to 0. Click OK to save it.
5. Close the Registry Editor and restart the computer to turn off password protected sharing in Windows 11.
Q1. Will turning off password protected sharing affect my Windows firewall?
No. Windows Firewall rules for File and Printer Sharing remain in place. You may still need to allow File and Printer Sharing in your firewall settings or network profile.
Q2. Is it safe to disable password-protected sharing on a public Wi-Fi?
No. Always keep it on when connected to untrusted networks.
Q3. Can I turn it back on later?
Yes. Simply revisit the same Control Panel pane (Method 1) and choose Turn on password protected sharing.
Disabling password-protected sharing in Windows 11 can save you from repeatedly typing credentials, especially in a trusted home network. By following Method 1 through the Control Panel, you can do it in just a few clicks; power users can automate it via Group Policy or the Registry. Always remember to weigh convenience against security risks and re-enable protection when you move to an untrusted environment.
