How to fix Windows File Sharing and the dreaded “You might not have permission to use this network resource” message

Lawrence Sheed // 26 Mar 2009 // No Comments

Windows XP usually plays nicely, but occasionally you do the odd recalcitrant box that doesn’t want to play nice with the other computers, and share.

If you’ve ruled out the Windows Firewall (Make sure that Windows File Sharing has a checkbox in there for allowed), and everything else looks correct, but it still isn’t working, try the following:

As we need the NTRights program, and it doesn’t come with XP, download and install the administration tools from one of these locations.  Don’t worry about the name, the Kit works fine on XP also:

Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit Tools (Microsoft)
http://www.computersolutions.cn/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/rktools.exe (Locally)
Once installed, please do the following:

1. Click Start, Run (or Press Windows R)
2. Type cmd and click OK
3. In the DOS window (the black screen that just appeared), type the following:
   • net user guest /active:yes
   • ntrights +r SeNetworkLogonRight -u Guest
   • ntrights +r SeNetworkLogonRight -u Everyone
   • ntrights -r SeDenyNetworkLogonRight -u Guest
   • ntrights -r SeDenyNetworkLogonRight -u Everyone
4. Reboot, and try again.  It should work.
5. If not, leave me a comment, and I’ll provide additional steps.