File sharing protection issue after update

[KaCoWo]

Hi Everyone

I have a small home network 5 PC's all - 1 running windows 7 (mine) 2 running MAC and 1 running XP pro...no problem with the network. However, on April 14th there were some windows 7 security updates which, I believe, changed my settings for file sharing. I cannot save the selection, "turn OFF password protected sharing" in the advanced settings. When I select "turn off password protected sharing," click save, it defaults back to ON, ergo...the other computers cannot print as they are being asked for a password that doesn't exist. .very frustrating.

I installed windows 7 about 5 months ago without any issues
Using an airport base station - all computers are visible (ping-able) on my network
I am the system administrator (there are no other accounts, they have all been disabled - just after installation)
I have rebooted the system several times - to no avail
I have turned off my antivirus, tried again to select the OFF option..rebooted...nothing

Called microsoft...was transferred several times over 45 minutes and was then disconnected! A reminder why I NEVER call them.

 

[not so gray matter]

I have no clue how to fix that, but take a gander at this thread:

Can't turn off password protected sharing - Windows 7