Password for shared folders over network

First of all, I know this is a forum for Windows 7 and related. But, I'm hoping if some advanced user can shed some light on this.

I have Windows 8.1 Pro installed signed in with my Microsoft a/c. I have some folders shared on the network through Wifi. I also have an Android device with a File Manager that has SMB capabilities.

Now I want the to connect to my shared folders through the app which works perfectly fine. But what my requirement is that if anybody else want to connect to those shared folders (with the same or another app), I have to give out my Microsoft Account password for that.

Is there a way that I can avoid this password giving? What I'm looking is for creating another set of credentials to access the shared folders without giving away my Microsoft account details. I assume I can create a local account and do the same. Is there any other way I can do this?

Thanks for taking time to read this. :)

Kari said:

First, you can ask your Windows 8 / 8.1 questions at our sister forums: Windows 8 Forums

About your issue, if password protected sharing is enabled, only way to get to network shares on your Windows 8 machine from any other device is to use the Windows 8 machines credentials. You can setup as many user profiles (Microsoft Account or local) on it as you wish.

When a user from another device now connects to a network share on the Windows 8 machine, he must enter valid credentials. An example: Set up a password protected local account on your Windows 8 machine, let's call it ShareUser. Now you can give your guest users username ShareUser with its password and they can log in to shared folders.

Kari

I know that way but I was expecting some workaround. Seeing that there is none, I did as you told.

Created a new local user. Now using that to share folders and files. Thanks for the help.

Kari said:

There really are no other workarounds than various cloud services but even most of them need some kind of user credentials to get to files you have placed there. The selection you need to make here is which credentials to give, a dedicated "Guest Share" user account is best for that.

If it was just some Windows 7 and 8 devices, Homegroup would be the easiest alternative but as you mentioned about Android, that's not an option for you.

TheCyberMan said:

For Andriod you really don't have any choce really for username or password.

A guest share would be fine.

No workarounds sorry.

Can you mark this thread as solved.

I have no problem with having credentials. It is just that wanted the credentials that were different than my Microsoft account. Anyways, it does not matter now. I created a local user without admin privileges. I use that account for sharing.

I'm marking this thread solved. Thanks everyone! :)