How to Fix Shared Folder Error 0x800704F8 in Windows?

The “Network Error code: 0x800704f8” appears when Windows blocks your attempt to access a shared file or folder on a network. When this happens, Windows displays the message:

“You can’t access this shared folder because your organization’s security policies block unauthenticated guest access.”

This message indicates that Windows detected a connection attempt made through guest authentication. Guest access does not require a username or password, so the system treats it as unsafe. Since guest connections cannot be verified, Windows blocks them to protect your data and prevent unauthorized access.

In many cases, this happens when certain security policies, Group Policy settings, or SMB rules are configured to disallow unsecured or guest-based access. When these rules are active, Windows rejects session requests from shared folders or devices that still use guest authentication.

Now that you understand the cause of the error, follow the methods below to restore access.

1. Enable Insecure Guest Logons in Group Policy Editor

Allowing insecure guest logons lets Windows accept guest network connections again. Windows disables this feature by default because it is not safe, and this has been the case since earlier Windows 10 versions.

Enabling it tells Windows that you still want to connect to shared folders or older devices that depend on guest access, including systems such as Windows 7 that may be configured to use it.

1. Press Win + R and type gpedit.msc.
2. Navigate to Administrative Templates > Network > Lanman Workstation.
3. Double-click Enable insecure guest logons.
4. Select Enable then click Apply and OK.
5. Restart your computer and reconnect to the shared folder or device.

2. Disable Microsoft Network Client Settings in Local Security Policy

Newer Windows versions require digitally signed communication for SMB sessions. This improves protection but can break compatibility with older SMB devices that do not support digital signatures.

Disabling these settings helps Windows communicate with devices or shared folders that rely on basic authentication or guest access.

1. Search for Local Security Policy and open it.
2. Open Local Policies then double-click Security Options.
3. Double-click Microsoft network client: Digitally sign communications (always) and set it to Disabled.
4. Then double-click Microsoft network client: Digitally sign communications (if server agrees) and set it to Disabled as well.
5. Restart your PC and try accessing the shared folder again.

3. Uninstall KB5065426 Windows Update

Some recent Windows updates increased SMB hardening and blocked guest or insecure session requests for many users.

For certain Windows builds, the KB5065426 update introduced stricter SMB behavior that triggered the 0x800704F8 error when accessing network shares.

Removing the update restores previous behavior and removes the restrictive SMB policies that caused the problem.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Windows Update then click Update history.
3. Scroll down and select Uninstall updates.
4. Find Security Update for Microsoft Windows (KB5065426) then click Uninstall.
5. Confirm the removal and wait for it to finish.
6. Restart your computer and check if the shared folder becomes accessible.