No-password file share still requires login

This is how UAC works. You will find lots of documentation on UAC but they all forget to mention one thing (below).

If you are a member of the builtin administrators group and try to access a folder that allows this group to do so UAC expects you to access it in an elevated mode. If though your direct account had access to it or any other group did it would work fine (assuming you are a member of it). This issue only seems to affect the special builtin adminstrators group.

So you are meant to acces it in an elevated windows explorer right?? No, it doesn't work. Explorer is the only program that does not work from an elevated prompt, it is bugged.

Full article and work arounds I found here. It took me ages to find it http://think-like-a-computer.com/2011/05/11/uac-access-denied-on-folders-for-administrators-windows-2008/

If you want to access the sharing on Windows Server 2008 computer from Windows XP and Windows 2000, you have to perform the following steps:

1. Change the settings in Network and Sharing Center

Please navigate to Control Panel >>> Network and Sharing Center >> Advanced Sharing Settings, and ensure:

1. Fire Sharing: On;

2. Public folder sharing: Turn on sharing so anyone with network access can open files (or Turn on sharing so anyone with network access can open, change, and create files);

3. Password protected sharing: Turn off password protected sharing

4. Change the security settings in gpedit.msc

Please navigate to gpedit.msc >>> Computer Configuration >>> Security Settings >>> Security Options

Please change Network access: Sharing and security model for local account from “Classic-local users authenticate as themselves” to “Guest only-local users authenticate as Guest”