After installing the latest Windows 10 updates, many Windows users reported not being able to turn off the password for protected sharing.

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Password protected sharing is a Windows 10 feature that stops other users from accessing shared files, printers or public folders.

Some users reported that the Off button wouldn’t stick when trying to use this feature.

Other users were able to move the button to the Off position, but reported that the settings didn’t change after restarting the computer.

Here’s a series of solutions that should help you to fix this problem once and for all.

How do I turn off password protected sharing?

  • Turn off Password Protected Sharing from the Control Panel
  • Remove Guest account password
  • Remove Password Protected Sharing from User Accounts
  • Modify registry entries using the Registry Editor
  • Check the Password never expires property

1. Turn off Password Protected Sharing from the Control Panel

First, you can try to turn off the Password Protected Sharing from the Control Panel, and see if it works properly for you.

If you already tried this method, go straight to the next solution.

To do so, you need to follow these steps:

  • Click on the Start button and open the Control Panel
  • Click on the Network and Sharing Center
  • Click Change advanced sharing settings which you can find in the left side
  • Click the arrow next to All Networks to expand the section
  • Select Turn off password protected sharing option under Password protected sharing
  • Click Save changes.

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2. Remove Guest account password

If method 1 does not work, you could have to remove the Guest account password. To do so, follow these steps:

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  • Open the Run box by pressing Windows Key + R on your keyboard > type lusrmgr.msc in the box and hit Enter.
  • In the Local Users and Groups box, click Users in the left pane > right click Guest and press Set Password…
  • In the Set Password for Guest box that pops up, you need to leave the New Password and Confirm Password fields empty > click OK

3. Remove Password Protected Sharing from User Accounts

Alternatively, you can try removing the password using the Registry Editor.

Follow the guide below:

  • Open the Run box by Windows Key + R on your keyboard > type control userpasswords2 in the box and hit Enter
  • User Accounts window will open
  • Under the Users for this computer section, select Guest > click Reset Password…
  • Leave the New Password and Confirm Password fields empty > click OK

4. Modify registry entries using the Registry Editor

We recommend modifying the registry entries manually, being very careful while making these changes. A simple mistake could have dramatic impacts on your system.

To modify the registry entries, follow these steps:

  • Open the Run box by pressing R + Windows buttons on your keyboard > type regedit in the box and hit Enter
  • The Registry Editor window will pop up > find this location in the left pane:
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa
  • In the right pane, find the REG_DWORD type registry named everyoneincludeanonymous
  • Double click on the registry > edit DWORD window will pop up > modify value in Value data box from 0 to 1
  • Click OK > go the next registry location:
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Parameters
  • Click on the parameters folder > find the REG_DWORD type registry named restrictnullsessaccess
  • Double click on the registry > edit DWORD window will pop up > modify value in Value data box from 1 to 0
  • Close the window and restart the computer > verify if the password is turned off.

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  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa

  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Parameters

5. Check the Password never expires property

An alternative solution would be to change the password’s expiry status. These next steps will help in completing this task:

  • Open the Run box by Windows Key + R buttons on your keyboard > type lusrmgr.msc in the box and hit Enter
  • Select Users in the Local Users and Groups window > right click Guest > Properties
  • In the Guest Properties window that pops up, check the box next to Password never expires
  • Click Apply > OK > reboot PC and check if the password was removed

If you are able to remove the sharing security password, be aware that public folders and printers are now accessible to other devices. Let us know if these methods helped you out. Comment below.

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