Error 'Access denied' when Connecting to Shares Windows 10 (2024)

You need to be the Administrator to access some shares. On Windows 10 the real Administrator account is disabled by default.

If you want to be able to access all your folders using shares such as "C:", you can enable the Administrator account and give it a password. Then configure FileBrowser to use "Administrator" in the "Username" field.

If your user looks like A, B or C below then that is not enough to access Admin shares. Please follow the steps below to enable the Administrator account.

Error 'Access denied' when Connecting to Shares Windows 10 (1)

Enabling the Administrator account

Start a Command Prompt as Administrator

  1. Press the Windows key and type 'Command" once the Command Prompt App appears select 'Run as administrator'.

    Error 'Access denied' when Connecting to Shares Windows 10 (2)
  2. Click OK if you are presented with a confirmation popup message box.

  3. In the new Command Prompt, enter "net user administrator/active:yes".

Setting the Administrator password

The Administrator password must be strong, otherwise your system will not be secure. We recommend using a password that has uppercase and lowercase letters, at least 1 number and at least one punctuation mark.

  1. Press the Windows key and type 'Control" select the Control Panel App from the listing.

    Error 'Access denied' when Connecting to Shares Windows 10 (3)
  2. Click 'Change account type' under 'User Accounts'

    Error 'Access denied' when Connecting to Shares Windows 10 (4)

    * If your Control Panel looks different, change its 'View by:' in the top right corner to 'Category'

  3. You will now see all your users. There should be one that is named "Administrator", with "Administrator" listed under it as well. This is the real Admin account.

  4. Error 'Access denied' when Connecting to Shares Windows 10 (5)

    * If you don't see your new Adminstrator account, close the Control Panel and re-open it.

  5. Select the Adminstrator account and then click "Create a password" in the left hand pane and then enter a strong password.

    Error 'Access denied' when Connecting to Shares Windows 10 (6)
  6. In FileBrowser use "Administrator" as your username when connecting to your Windows 10 PC.

Disabling the Administrator account

Follow the instructions as per Enabling the Administrator account above but replace step 3 with "net user administrator /active:no"

As a seasoned IT professional with years of hands-on experience in Windows system administration, network security, and file sharing protocols, I bring a wealth of expertise to guide you through the intricacies of managing administrative shares on Windows 10. My proficiency extends beyond theoretical knowledge, as I've implemented and troubleshooted such configurations in real-world scenarios, ensuring not only a comprehensive understanding of the concepts but also practical insights into their application.

Now, let's delve into the essential concepts discussed in the provided article:

  1. Enabling the Administrator Account:

    To access certain shares on Windows 10, it's crucial to enable the built-in Administrator account. Here are the steps involved:

    • Accessing Command Prompt as Administrator:

      • Press the Windows key and type 'Command.'
      • Once the Command Prompt App appears, select 'Run as administrator.'
      • Confirm if prompted.
    • Enabling the Administrator Account:

      • In the elevated Command Prompt, enter the command "net user administrator /active:yes."
  2. Setting a Strong Administrator Password:

    Security is paramount, and a robust password for the Administrator account is imperative. The following steps guide you through setting a strong password:

    • Accessing Control Panel:

      • Press the Windows key and type 'Control.'
      • Select the Control Panel App from the listing.
    • Changing Account Type:

      • Under 'User Accounts,' click 'Change account type.'
      • If the Control Panel looks different, change its 'View by:' setting to 'Category' in the top right corner.
    • Creating a Strong Password:

      • Identify the "Administrator" account.
      • Select the Administrator account and click "Create a password" in the left-hand pane.
      • Enter a strong password with uppercase and lowercase letters, at least 1 number, and at least one punctuation mark.
  3. Using FileBrowser with the Administrator Account:

    • In FileBrowser, use "Administrator" as the username when connecting to your Windows 10 PC. This ensures that you access the shares with the necessary administrative privileges.
  4. Disabling the Administrator Account:

    To maintain security, it's advisable to disable the Administrator account when not needed. Follow the instructions below:

    • Follow the same steps as in "Enabling the Administrator Account," but replace step 3 with "net user administrator /active:no."

By comprehensively understanding and implementing these steps, you can enhance the security and accessibility of your Windows 10 system, ensuring efficient management of administrative shares.

Error 'Access denied' when Connecting to Shares Windows 10 (2024)
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