Windows 7: Mapped network drive not reconnecting on bootup

I have a windows 7 desktop with an SSD and regular mechanical hard drive where I keep my data. I also have a laptop with a small SSD as well. I wanted to keep the laptop free of non-critical data so I decided to setup a file share between my desktop (Windows 7 home prem) and my laptop (Windows 7 pro). I was able share the files and navigate to my desktop through my laptop. I successfully mapped the folder as a network drive and all was well. Then I rebooted and I was disconnected from it, it remembered that it was there but I needed to manually connect to it and I needed to provide my login credentials. There is no password just a username.




What is causing this and is there a way to get around this?

Also is there a way to set a timeout because if my desktop is not on and I want to use my laptop, the boot times are much longer compared to when I don't have the mapped network drive on my laptop at all.

Hi there,
Although it's unlikely this was missed out, did you tick the checkbox when you mapped the network drive that allows you to reconnect at login?

I did remember to do that. I actually now just uncheck that box and just manually re-map the drive everytime I want to use it.

Thanks for the response

bump

Does the username you log in with on the laptop exist on the desktop? That's what I had to do to get all my machines (XP, Vista and 7) to see the data share on my Windows 7 box.
I also had to disable the GP that only allows blank passwords from the console.

It exists and I can see the files and even wirelessly print.

Yeah that is what I was wondering, the blank password that could possibly be messing things up. What is the GP?

Re-reading the problem, and the fact you can still still print and it does allow you to reconnect even with the blank password, I'm not sure that's the problem.
See if this thread and the link in it provides a solution:
File sharing problem with 64 bit windows

Alright, I will have to give that a try.

Another thing is that its my school laptop, so I am continuously switching between my home network and my school network. Will I have any problem with the file share?

Also is there a way to make a timeout so it doesn't take so long too boot up when the file share is not on.

I am a bit worried about modifying the registry. I tried modifying some settings on the desktop. Still not re-connecting.

So I have been researching this problem And I think I may have found a work around. I guess the host computer, and the computer accessing the file share must have the same username and password.. Atleast this was the only work around that worked for me.