Sharing files in Windows 8/8.1

linktoinsanity · 10 Dec 2013 at 16:59

Does anybody know how I can get into a Windows 8/8.1 computer from a Windows 7 machine?

I know the obvious, sharing the folder, giving "Everyone" necessary permissions to the folder and going from there, but I want to access a built-in hidden share, the d$ drive for example. I can access my Windows 7 machines fine doing this from either Windows 7 or Windows 8 machines, but not the other way around. (Just enter the login details and I'm in.)

This is a home machine by the way, not one on a domain (of which I don't get the issue).

I know one way of working around it would be to set up a local account, not use my MS Account, but I'd like to just use the MS account if I can, due to SkyDrive benefits etc.

I hope this makes some sense. As said, I get no issues in Windows 7. Is it the case that I need to use the msn domain name? In which case, what is it?

Just trying to iron out some issues with Windows 8.1 before I upgrade my main machine to it.

Thanks for any help.

bledd · 10 Dec 2013 at 17:06

Personally, haven't found any difference between Windows 7 and 8 in sharing.

Check that one of them isn't set to 'Public' network type.

Check they both have sharing enabled in the Network & Sharing Centre options.

linktoinsanity · 11 Dec 2013 at 09:37

bledd. said:
Personally, haven't found any difference between Windows 7 and 8 in sharing.

Check that one of them isn't set to 'Public' network type.

Check they both have sharing enabled in the Network & Sharing Centre options.

I'll check that. Can I also just check whether you use your MSN login or a local account? It's the authentication where I have issues and my line of thinking is that the authenticating account is different.

Andy_82 · 12 Dec 2013 at 21:28

linktoinsanity said:
I'll check that. Can I also just check whether you use your MSN login or a local account? It's the authentication where I have issues and my line of thinking is that the authenticating account is different.

It isn't just you, i found the same when i tried win 8.1 on my desktop. Netowrk sharing between 8.1 and 7 was fine using a local admin account, but when changed to use windows live authentication it breaks. i expect if you used homegroups between 7 and 8.1 it would be ok. Although I can't test as i went back to 7.

linktoinsanity · 17 Dec 2013 at 12:06

Still having this issue. I assume I need to put my MS credentials in, however what domain do I use?

Or shall I just avoid Windows 8? I'd rather fix this though to be honest.

linktoinsanity · 17 Dec 2013 at 12:25

Just to clarify. The issue is not just an issue with Windows 7 accessing Windows 8.1, it's also with Windows 8.1 accessing Windows 8.1. I am Google searching the issue but it's being no help so any ideas?

Andy_82 · 17 Dec 2013 at 21:23

linktoinsanity said:
Just to clarify. The issue is not just an issue with Windows 7 accessing Windows 8.1, it's also with Windows 8.1 accessing Windows 8.1. I am Google searching the issue but it's being no help so any ideas?

I got around i by just typing username/password in on the permission box when trying to access shared folders, didn't need to enter domain information. Then ticked 'remember my credentials' seemed to work ok.

The easiest way of doing it though is with homegroup, although i'm not that keen on them myself.

linktoinsanity · 18 Dec 2013 at 10:28

I've found a guide, including a registry entry you need to add. You also need to set up the machine to use a local account (Note: This is not for standard sharing, but to be access the C$ Share)

http://www.intelliadmin.com/index.php/2012/10/windows-8-enable-the-admin-share/

Important Part said:
Open regedit, and drill down to this key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

Under this key you will need to create a new DWORD value called:

LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy

Set it to 1.

The issue is with admin shares, which is what you Google for an answer. Just in case somebody else needs help with this.

zola25 · 18 Dec 2013 at 10:31

I've set mine up by creating the same MS accounts on both machines. When I share a folder, I can give permissions to the MS account on the local machine, the remote account then logs in seamlessly with the same credentials.

linktoinsanity · 18 Dec 2013 at 11:55

zola25 said:
I've set mine up by creating the same MS accounts on both machines. When I share a folder, I can give permissions to the MS account on the local machine, the remote account then logs in seamlessly with the same credentials.

This is a good idea, except when you also still have plenty of Windows 7 machines...

zola25 · 18 Dec 2013 at 15:55

linktoinsanity said:
This is a good idea, except when you also still have plenty of Windows 7 machines...

Good point - I'd forgotten Windows 7 uses regular accounts. Not sure why I'd forgotten, I preferred it that way!