To remove a password prompt from a shared folder, change the setting on the device that hosts the folder—not the computer trying to open it. On Windows, turn off Password protected sharing; on a Mac sharing files with Windows, disable Windows File Sharing for the relevant account. NAS settings vary by manufacturer. Before removing authentication, decide whether everyone on your trusted local network should be able to try to access the share, and keep the folder’s permissions appropriately restricted.
First identify what is asking for a password
A shared-folder prompt can come from the host’s network-sharing setting, an account enabled for SMB access, or the share’s own permissions. These are separate controls, so switching off one may not grant access if another still requires it. Start by identifying the device that stores and shares the folder, then choose the matching instructions below.
- Windows host: Windows may require a username and password for network access through Password protected sharing.
- Mac host accessed from Windows: Windows File Sharing for selected Mac accounts controls SMB access.
- NAS or Samba server: The device’s own account and shared-folder settings control access; the exact steps depend on its software and configuration.
If you want to allow one particular person rather than remove authentication for everyone, prefer a specific account and deliberate folder permissions over a broad network-level change.
Turn off password-protected sharing in Windows 11
These steps follow Microsoft Support’s current Windows Settings navigation. Menu labels may differ in other Windows releases.
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- On the Windows computer hosting the folder, open Settings > Network & internet > Sharing options.
- Under Private, turn on Network discovery and File and printer sharing if they are appropriate for your network.
- Expand All Networks and turn off Password protected sharing.
- Review the shared folder’s access permissions and confirm they grant access only to the people you intend.
- From an authorized client on the same trusted network, try opening the share again.
Microsoft explains that people on the network may otherwise need a username and password for an account on the host. Turning off Password protected sharing removes that authentication requirement; it does not itself change the folder’s sharing or filesystem permissions. See Microsoft’s Windows network file-sharing guidance and Microsoft Learn’s small-business network guidance.
Disable Windows SMB access for an account on a Mac
If the folder is hosted on a Mac and the client is Windows, change the Mac’s Windows File Sharing account selection. This disables that account’s SMB sharing access; it does not turn off file sharing globally.
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- On the Mac hosting the folder, open Apple menu > System Settings > General > Sharing > File Sharing > Options.
- Under Windows File Sharing, deselect the checkbox for the account whose SMB access you want to disable.
- Check that the account is no longer enabled for Windows File Sharing, then test the share from the authorized Windows computer.
Apple advises deselecting Windows File Sharing accounts that are no longer in use. It notes that Windows-user passwords can remain stored less securely if an account stays enabled after sharing is turned off. Consult Apple’s instructions for setting up SMB file sharing on Mac and its SMB authentication guidance.
Change access on a NAS or Samba server
For a NAS, use the vendor’s controls for accounts and shared-folder permissions. There is no single menu path that applies across manufacturers, models, and firmware versions. Samba likewise uses server-side configuration, so Windows or Mac steps are not a substitute for the server’s own settings. The Samba smb.conf manual documents configuration options, but a NAS owner should follow the guide for the exact device and software version.
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If you need exact clicks, identify the NAS manufacturer, model, and firmware version first. Avoid changing unrelated authentication or permission settings just to clear a prompt.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If the password prompt remains
A prompt that persists after changing the matching host setting may be caused by another access control or by the client’s connection context. Do not respond by weakening unrelated permissions.
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- Confirm you changed the setting on the device hosting the folder, not the client.
- Recheck the folder’s share and filesystem permissions, and confirm the intended user or group is allowed.
- Test from an authorized device on the expected local network.
- If a prompt still appears, investigate saved credentials on the client or how it is connecting. Credential-clearing steps vary by operating system and are not universal.
- For a NAS, use its model- and firmware-specific support instructions.
Choose the narrowest change that meets your goal
| Host | Relevant control | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Settings > Network & internet > Sharing options > All Networks > Password protected sharing | Network-level authentication requirement; review folder permissions separately. |
| Mac serving Windows clients | System Settings > General > Sharing > File Sharing > Options > Windows File Sharing | Selected account’s Windows SMB access. |
| NAS or Samba | Device-specific account, share, or server configuration | Depends on manufacturer, model, firmware, and server configuration. |
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