You do not have permission to access \\PC_NAME contact your network administrator to request access

Hello, Leon

Here are my answers:

What is the operating system of your other computers?
  – Windows 10 1803 Build 17134.590
  – Windows 8.1
All computers have the latest updates.

Can other machines successfully ping the 1809 machine?
  – Yes.

Have you checked if it is a permission issue?
  – I have. I want to access the Public folder under \Users. It is accessible locally. Here are my steps: Public-> Properties->Share->Choose people to share with. The permission level of User_name & Everyone is Read/Write; SYSTEM’s is Owner.
The Network of the folder is \\PC_NAME\Public.
  – Advanced sharing: The Share name of this folder is Public and the box
Share this folder is checked. Permissions for Everyone: Allow: Full control, Change and read

Can’t you access the 1809 machine via \\Computer Name or can’t access the 1809 machine via \\IP address? Or both these two methods not working?
  – No. The OS replies ‘Windows cannot access \\PC_NAME. Contact your network administrator to request access.’ I get the same message after entering the \\IP address (accessible by Ping).

Please try to turn off the firewall first to see if it works.
  -I tried without result – still no permission.

More information:
The computer name is visible on all computers under Network. Clicking on any other name opens the all shared folders on the target computer.
I have just found a solution. Unlike other OSes in the network version 1809 requires explicitly
the path to the shared folder. So in Windows Explorer clicking on \\PC_NAME or \\IP_address says ‘No permission’. But entering the path to the shared folder opens it. The firewall state makes no difference.

Advanced sharing options on the 1809 computer:
  – Private: Network discovery and file and printer sharing are ON.
  – Guest or public: both are OFF. (I can still open the Public folder.)
  – All networks: Public folder sharing is ON; use 128-bit encryption and password protected sharing is OFF.

In conclusion: The requirement to enter the full path to the shared folder is new in 1809 and a bit frustrating. It may have been done for better protection but it’s not convenient. I restarted the 1809 machine and entered \\PC_NAME\Public and it worked.

I am not sure if this workaround is a solution.

Best regards

Stephen Pen