I've just migrated my home media server setup from Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials to a new platform running Windows Server 2022 Standard. The old setup was a domain controller, which was quite annoying. Now, I've configured the new server as a Workgroup, and I have three desktops and one laptop, all running Windows 11. The desktops connect to shared folders on the new server without any issues. However, my laptop is having consistent problems connecting. Each time I try to access the shared folders, I get a credentials prompt with the message: "The system cannot contact a domain controller to service the authentication request." I've ensured the laptop is part of the Workgroup and doesn't reference the old domain controller anymore, yet it keeps looking for one. This issue doesn't arise with the other PCs, and when I try to sign in with credentials, I encounter an NTLM disabled error. After struggling with this for two days, I'm considering reimaging the laptop. Any ideas on how to stop this laptop from searching for a domain controller?
3 Answers
When you’re troubleshooting, verifying that the laptop is fully updated is crucial, especially regarding versions. You might also want to make sure that the NTLM settings are correctly configured since they can affect access to shared folders. Lastly, as a temporary fix, you could try accessing the folders using the laptop's IP address instead of the machine name. That might bypass some issues with name resolution as it won’t be looking for a domain controller.
It sounds like the laptop might still be holding onto some old domain settings. First off, make sure you’ve completely unjoined the laptop from the old domain. Also, check if you still have the Essentials Connector installed—if you do, uninstalling that could help with the issues you're facing. Another thing to check is the DNS records. You might need to ensure that all the local account passwords are synchronized across your devices for smooth access since you're on a Workgroup now. I had similar issues before and consolidating the passwords worked for me!
If your laptop is running the 24H2 update, that might be causing the SMB issues. The version for Windows Server 2012 is lower than the current standards, which could also affect connections. Check all the SMB version compatibility, as it seems some of your devices are fine, but that one laptop is acting up. Make sure to verify the permissions for shared folders too; they can be a bottleneck sometimes. I know it's a hassle, but it's worth it to double-check every setting.
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