Unable to access files and folders both on the PC and my Win11 laptop

I recently decided to do a fresh install of Win10 Pro on the main PC which went ahead without to many problems, however I now have what I can only describe as a permissions problem. originally, I signed in as administrator using a Hotmail account but as I now have an Office 365 account, I decided that this was the opportunity to use that outlook account as the administrator for the PC which is what I also use on my Win11 Pro laptop.  

Since doing the fresh install I’ve got 2 major problems which I assume are connected in some way, as  

1)    I’m unable to download most files from the net to the specified default folder 

2)    Unable to access the Win11 Pro laptop from the PC again not discoverable and the laptop     can’t access the PC. 

Downloads fail with the status “Failed” or insufficient privileges, I’ve disabled Norton360’s auto protect, Smart Firewall, Auto-Protectand VPN which didn’t make any difference. Through a process of elimination, I’ve discovered by changing the download folder location to the desktop I can now download files, although that's a fudge not a fix. 

My current network profile is as follows.  

Network discovery is on and set to turn on automatic setup of network connected devices, file and printer sharing is on. Password protected sharing is set to turn off password protected sharing. 

My system details are as follows:  

Windows 10 Pro Version 22H2 Installed ‎26/‎10/‎2022 OS build 19045.2193  

Norton 360 

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-6600K CPU @ 3.50GHz 3.50 GHz  

Installed RAM 8.00 GB 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor.  

Cat 6 wired network throughout the house. 

I’ve been in touch with a Microsoft Moderator and it was suggested I carry out the following procedures. 

Win +Q to open the search box, type "Firewall.cpl", press Enter to open the firewall interface in Control Panel, click "Allow an application or features through Windows Defender Firewall" > "Change Settings" on the left, then check it in the "File and Printer Sharing" and "File and Printer Sharing via SMBDirect" list,  then "OK". 

Restart related services  

Please run the Command Prompt as administrator (logo key "Win" + "Q", enter "cmd", select "Run as administrator") and enter the following commands one by one.  

net start lmhosts & net stop lmhosts & net start lmhostsnet start FDResPub & net stop FDResPub & net start FDResPubnet start fdPHost & net stop fdPHost & net start fdPHos. 

Also to create a new user account and perform a clean boot and see if that works correctly which I did but I still have the same network issues.  

I also ran MS network trouble shooter and for once it returned with the cause of the problem in that it could detect the laptop but it wasn't responding. 

I've looked at the Norton setup and I'm not sure how to change the permissions for port 445 so I'll contact them to see what's going on. 

I was also advised to carry out the following procedure. 

Win +Q to open the search box, type "Firewall.cpl", press Enter to open the firewall interface in Control Panel, click "Allow an application or features through Windows Defender Firewall" > "Change Settings" on the left, then check it in the "File and Printer Sharing" and "File and Printer Sharing via SMBDirect" list,  then "OK". Which I did but failed at the Allow an application or features through Windows Defender Firewall 

I’m sorry for the long explanation of the problem and actions taken but hopefully it will help to prevent duplication of effort and point to the source of the problem. 

Both machines are running the pro versions, I'm reasonably certain that I said it was for home when I set them up although I've tried to find out for sure and there's only the version info showing in my system on the machines. I've looked online but every suggestion only provides the same version info either pro or home whichever is installed.

I'm signed into both machines with my MS account and use the same password for them both 

Hi SoulAsylum

Thanks for the response, for some reason I'm not receiving notification when replies are received, however I'll have a look at this when I get home and get back to you.  

Hi SA

Hope you had a good Christmas.

I've checked and both the laptop and the PC are showing that they allow access to the filing system. 

Oneeasygeezer

Well I completed the password changes on both machines last night but the results are the same, they can both see the other machine and the shares but can't access the shares as I don't have permission! I've looked at the advanced sharing and permission settings and there's nothing shown for the Orbiter laptop regarding access I'm not sure whether there should be or not, am I overthinking the problem?

I've tries to upload a zip file of the mothership e file sharing permissions and settings but it won't upload, all I keep getting is the following dialogue box results.

community.norton.com says
An AJAX HTTP error occurred.
HTTP Result Code: 200
Debugging information follows.
Path:
AucfbXbntdOwbelfVUMQ3nboX4bNA_Q303eGg1xGPOY
StatusText: 0K
ResponseText:

Oneasygeezer

Hi SA

Sorry for not getting back to you earlier but since making the changes things have gone downhill, both the ports you mentioned in the second post where already secure.

I carried out the changes first suggested and it made no difference to the win 10 PC. having made the changes to the Win11 laptop it could then no longer see any of the other equipment on the network i.e. TV, NAS, or the Win10 PC, I then reinstated the laptop settings but still had no joy, eventually after multiple attempts I managed to get network access back. The bigger problem for me now is since the changes I'm unable to open Outlook (although I don't understand how the network changes should have had an impact on Outlook) it's just throwing up such dialogue boxes such as as " Microsoft Outlook. Cannot start Microsoft Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook window. The set of folders cannot be opened. The information store could not be opened." a following attempt results in " Microsoft Outlook, Outlook cannot log on. Verify you are connected to the network and are using the proper server and mailbox name. The Microsoft Exchange information service in your profile is missing required information. Modify your profile to ensure that you are using the correct Microsoft Exchange information service." it then throws up "Microsoft Outlook System resources are critically low. Close some windows." 0K.

So at present I'm struggling to get Outlook up and running again has to be my first priority, which I appreciate is probably not your area expertise, hopefully I'll get it up and running over this weekend and then I'll be in touch.

Oneeasygeezer