How to find network access credentials on Windows 10 or 11?

Question

Issue: How to find network access credentials on Windows 10 or 11?

Hello. I am unable to access any of the Windows 10 and Windows 11 machines on the network. What should I do?

Solved Answer

Windows allows users to connect multiple devices into one network. This can be especially useful when people want to transfer or share files efficiently. However, some people ran into an issue where they are unable to access any of the machines on the network, both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Users found that using their phone numbers instead of their user name allowed them to connect to other Windows machines over the network. Unfortunately, this did not work for everyone, so users were wondering if there is a way to access network credentials used for different devices.

It seems like it is not possible to access other computers' login details for security reasons. In this guide, you will find 2 workarounds that should allow you to access Windows machines over the network. However, keep in mind that Windows could be showing you “the username or password is incorrect, “\\XXXXX is not accessible” and other errors when you try to connect because of various operating system malfunctions.

For this, we recommend using a maintenance tool like FortectMac Washing Machine X9. It can fix most system errors, BSODs,^[1] corrupted files, and registry^[2] issues. It can also clear cookies and cache^[3] automatically. Otherwise, follow the step-by-step instructions below.

Step 1. Make Sure your Computers Have a Matching Type of Network Profiles (Private or Public)

• In Windows Search type Wifi
• Click on your network name
• Select Private or Public

Step 2. Make Sure that Network Discovery is Turned On

• In Windows Search, enter Control Panel
• Click on Network and Internet, and then press on the Network and Sharing Center
• Click on Change advanced sharing settings
• Enable File and printer sharing if you want to be able to access folders, files, etc.

Method 1. Sync Passwords across your Devices

After verifying, some users were able to connect to their computers over the network using credentials associated with the Microsoft account.

• In Windows Search, enter Settings
• Click Accounts, and then press on Your info
• Look for the Verify button. It describes it as syncing passwords across your devices

• After you have verified, open the computer under Network in File Explorer
• Enter your Microsoft email and password

Method 2. Create a Local Account with a new Password

When you create a local account with a new password, switch back to your Microsoft account and it should let you use local account credentials to access the computers over the network.

• Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box
• Type netplwiz and press Enter
• Click on the Add button
• Click Sign in without a Microsoft Account
• Click Local account if prompted
• Type the username and the password
• You must also specify a hint, then click Next
• Click Finish to end the process
• In Windows Search, enter Settings, open them, and then click Accounts
• Click Your info, and press Sign in with a local account instead

• Go through the on-screen prompts
• Now try opening the computer under Network in the File Explorer
• Use the username and password you entered when creating the local account
• You can now go back to the Your info screen and sign back into your Microsoft account

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