You receive an "Access is denied" error message when you try to access shares on a Windows XP Home Edition-based computer that is connected to a network (281248)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
This article was previously published under Q281248

SYMPTOMS

When you try to map drives or access files on shares on a Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition-based computer that is connected to a network, you receive an "Access is denied" error message.

CAUSE

In Windows XP Home Edition, all network connections (logons) are mapped through the Guest account. If the Guest account is not enabled, the connection will be denied.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, make sure that the Guest account is enabled. To enable the Guest account, follow these steps:
  1. Log on to the computer by using an account that has administrative rights.
  2. Click Start, click Run, type control userpasswords, and then click OK.
  3. Double-click User Accounts to open the User Accounts dialog box.
  4. Click Guest, and then click Turn On the Guest Account.
  5. Close the User Accounts dialog box.

    Note: To manually enable the guest account on the Windows XP Home-based computer but to not show the Guest account on the Log On Screen, type net user guest /active:yes at a command prompt.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about a related topic, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

300489 Description of the Guest account in Windows XP

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/13/2006
Keywords:kbenv kbnetwork kbprb KB281248
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.