Hi saberman,
DESKTOP-99RL76V is the Windows computer/device name of Machine 2. The entries shown are local security groups on that computer:
DESKTOP-99RL76V\Administrators — administrators of Machine 2.DESKTOP-99RL76V\Users — standard user accounts on Machine 2.
You can confirm or rename it under
Settings > System > About > Device name:
The permissions shown are
folder security permissions. They do not by themselves make the folder visible over the network.
Configure Machine 2
- Open Settings > Network & internet.
- Select the active Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection.
- Set Network profile type to Private.
- Open Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings.
- Under Private networks, enable:
- Network discovery
- File and printer sharing
- Ensure Windows Firewall remains enabled. These sharing settings should create the required firewall exceptions.
Create a Password-Protected Sharing Account
A Windows Hello PIN is
not a network password. The simplest reliable setup is a separate local account on Machine 2:
- Open Settings > Accounts > Other users.
- Select Add account.
- Select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
- Select Add a user without a Microsoft account.
- Create an account such as
FileShare.
- Give it a password.
Alternatively, the current local account’s password is managed under
Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password:
If Machine 2 uses a Microsoft account, network access requires the
Microsoft account password, not its PIN.
Share the Folder
- Right-click the folder and select Properties.
- Open Sharing > Advanced Sharing.
- Check Share this folder.
- Select Permissions > Add.
- Add the
FileShare account.
- Allow Read, or Change if Machines 1 and 3 must edit files.
- Open the folder’s Security tab.
- Select Edit > Add and add
FileShare there too.
- Grant Read & execute, or Modify if editing is required.
Both the
Sharing and
Security permissions must allow the requested access.
Connect from Machines 1 and 3
- Press
Win + R.
- Enter:
\\DESKTOP-99RL76V
- When prompted, use:
Code:
Username: DESKTOP-99RL76V\FileShare
Password: the password created above
If the computer does not appear under
Network, it may still be reachable directly using that path. If the path fails, please post the exact error message and confirm whether all three machines run Windows 10 or Windows 11.
