How to Turn On or Off Password Protected Sharing in Windows 11
You can turn password-protected sharing on or off in Windows 11 to control who can access your files and printers over a network.
Password-protected sharing means only users with a specific username and password on your PC can get to shared resources. If you turn it off, anyone on your network can access shared items without needing an account on your machine.
For example, if you want friends to easily access photos you’ve shared, disabling this feature makes access smoother. You’ll need administrator privileges on your Windows 11 PC to make these changes.
Navigate to Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings. Expand “All networks” and toggle password-protected sharing On or Off. Alternatively, use Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings.
Option 1Using Settings
You can turn password protected sharing on or off in Windows 11 using the Settings app, but this feature is only available on version 22H2 and later.
- Open Settings by pressing
Win+I. - Click on Network & internet on the left side, then click on Advanced network settings on the right side.
- Click on Advanced sharing settings on the right side. Open Advanced sharing settings
- Click on All networks to expand it open.
- Turn On (default) or Off password protected sharing for what you want.
- You can now close Settings if you like.
Option 2Using Control Panel
If you’re using an older version of Windows 11, you can turn password protected sharing off or on using the Control Panel, though this option is removed in newer builds.
- Open Control Panel (icons view), and click on the Network and Sharing Center icon.
- Click on the Change advanced sharing settings link on the left side in Network and Sharing Center.
- Expand open the All networks section.
- Under Public folder sharing, select either Turn on password protected sharing (default) or Turn off password protected sharing for what you want, then click on Save changes.
- You can now close Control Panel if you like.
Summary
Password protected sharing in Windows 11 controls who can access your shared files and printers on a network.
What is password protected sharing in 🪟 Windows 11?
Password-protected sharing is a security feature Microsoft introduced to give you control over who can access your computer’s shared resources. It ensures that only those with the right credentials for your computer can use its shared files and folders.
How do I turn off password sharing on 🪟 Windows 11?
Open Control Panel by searching for it in the Start menu. Then navigate to ‘Network and Internet’ > ‘Network and Sharing Center’ > ‘Change advanced sharing settings’. Scroll down to the ‘All Networks’ section, find ‘Password-protected sharing’, and select ‘Turn off password-protected sharing’. Finally, click ‘Save changes’.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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