Cannot connect to MacOS file share from Windows 11 guest OS

[nemo2k14]

Hello all, need some help. I created a file share on MacOS but cannot browse to it. I can ping the MacOS host OS by IP but cannot connect to it via Windows Explorer. Using DHCP and dynamic IP for DNS. What am I missing? Also entering my MacOS username credentials is failing even though they are correct.  Following the process below which is what is widely documented across the web and Youtube.

I am stumped.

https://appleinsider.com/inside/macos/tips/how-to-share-folders-and-files-from-mac-to-windows-and-vice-versa

[Technogeezer]

Given that you're getting the request for network credentials from Windows, it seems to me rhat Windoes is able to connect to rhe Mac's file sharing services.

I would check the file sharing settings on macOS. Verify that Windows file sharing is enabled, and that your user name is listed as having access to the file share.

Also verify that you are using the short name of your user account  (e.g. paulrockwell) instead of the long name (e.g. Paul Rockwell) as the User Name in the letter network credentials" prompt.  

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Paul Rockwell (technogeezer)
vExpert 2026 (3x)
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[nemo2k14]

Hi Paul, I tried it again and I appear to have everything setup correctly. I created a new user and added that as well and the credentials are still failing. Any ideas? See attached

[Technogeezer]

Are you running NAT or bridged networking?

What address are you typing in Windows File Explorer to connect to the share? It should be \\ip-address-of-your-mac 

If you're using NAT networking, have you tried using the host's IP address on the NAT subnet (typically the .1 address on the subnet).  For example, my NAT subnet is 172.16.101.0/24 and the host is available to the guest via 172.16.191.1. I can reach available shares by typing in  \\172.16.101.1 in File Explorer, then entering my credentials (short username and password) in the connection dialog. 

Just make sure you don't use a Windows domain or workgroup in the account name that you're using - just the (short) account name. 

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Paul Rockwell (technogeezer)
vExpert 2026 (3x)
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[nemo2k14]

Sorry for the delay I have been troubleshooting this the past few days and still can't figure it out. So I am using bridged (autoconnect to wifi) and I can ping the IP but cannot connect via share ie: \\10.0.0.244. See attached pics. Any ideas why this is so hard for me to figure out?

[Technogeezer]

Ok you've verifed that you can ping the host from the guest over the bridged network.

Let's make sure that the file sharing service is running on your Mac:

Open the terminal and issue the following command:

sudo launchctl list | grep smb

The result should look something like this, indicating that the service is running:

% sudo launchctl list | grep smb    
Password:
899	0	com.apple.smbd
-	0	com.apple.smb.preferences

In my case, the smbd (SMB file sharing server) is running as PID 899. 

Now, verify that your firewall isn't blocking access to the file sharing server.

Open System Settings > Network > Firewall.

If the Firewall is active, click on the "Options..." button, Verify that smbd is set to allow incoming connections:.

If you;re running a third party firewall such as Little Snitch in place of the standard Apple firewall, make sure that it is configured to allow access to the smbd service.

 

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Paul Rockwell (technogeezer)
vExpert 2026 (3x)
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[nemo2k14]

Thanks for following up Paul. I will give this a shot and let you know if I run into any further issues!