Enter Network Credentials ((exclusive)) ⏰
Most users fail here because they don't know which credentials Windows actually wants. It doesn't want your Microsoft email password. It wants the handshake.
In professional environments, you may need to specify a domain (e.g., DomainName\Username ). How to Find Your Credentials enter network credentials
| Environment | Behavior | Solution | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Silently uses Kerberos tickets. No prompt for internal shares. | IT deploys Group Policy. | | Workgroup (Home/Small Office) | Constant prompts. Users resort to net use batch scripts. | No centralized auth. | Most users fail here because they don't know
If you are connecting an old Windows 7 machine to a new Windows 10/11 machine, or if the "Enter Network Credentials" prompt refuses to accept any password, you may need to enable insecure protocols. In professional environments, you may need to specify
The dialog violates the principle of seamless security . It asks for a secret after the user has already established a desktop session, creating cognitive dissonance.
If you're having trouble entering your network credentials, try the following: