Can't Stop Sharing Folder - Doesn't Exist

Windows 10 Pro Version 1909 (OS Build 18363.720)

Quite some time ago, I shared the DVD drive of one machine with my Surface Pro 4. Unfortunately, I was dumb enough to map it as D: drive. Now, every time I insert a USB stick into the Surface, it thinks it's that shared DVD drive. It's mapped location is:

\\Acer-Office\Acer_DVD

I am trying to disconnect that old share (no longer map it) on the Surface, but I get an error that it doesn't exist. I have used an elevated command prompt and ran the following:

net share sharename /delete
Result is "share doesn't exist" (something similar)

I've tried two variations of the sharename just in case it was a syntax error: \\Acer-Office\Acer_DVD, and I've tried simply the Acer_DVD. Same results.

I went into Regedit and located: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Shares. where there is no reference to the DVD drive.

I mapped the same DVD drive to another drive letter successfully (setting it to S: drive), and am able to disconnect it, but the old drive letter (D:) persists.

Can anyone provide some guidance on how to get rid of that mapped network D: drive?

You used this command?

Code:

net share Acer_DVD /delete

This should also work

Code:

net share D:\ /delete

You re/tried it whilst a USB was stuck in [and shown as being that shared drive]?

Is the share shown in Computer management?
Computer management - %windir%\system32\compmgmt.msc
System tools,
Shared folders,
Shares

Denis

Try3 said:

You used this command?

Code:

net share Acer_DVD /delete

I did. Result was: "This shared resource does not exist."

This should also work

Code:

net share D:\ /delete

Result for that was: "A matching share could not be found so nothing was deleted."

You re/tried it whilst a USB was stuck in [and shown as being that shared drive]?]

Same results, doesn't exist

Is the share shown in Computer management?

Nope. Not listed in Shares. What the H E double hockey sticks is going on?

I should mention that when I look at the Network folder from File Explorer, the shared machine (Acer) never automatically shows up. I have to type in the address of that machine from the surface in order to see the resources; however, I have several mapped drives to other shared resources on the Acer and they restore at boot up and I never have a problem accessing them. Don't know if it not showing up automatically under Network contributes to the issue.

- - - Updated - - -

Any additional thoughts on this? I'd like to be able to boot from a USB drive on the surface pro but right now, this issue is preventing me from doing so...

Since the problem seems to be about mapping rather than sharing {in other words, I misinterpreted your original post}, have you right-clicked on the D:\ drive on your Surface Pro & selected Disconnect?

The relevant Registry key is
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\MountedDevices
and you should be able to go to its
\DosDevices\D:
entry and just delete that to get the same result.
[Personally, I'd make a new system image before fiddling with that part of the Registry or at least Export the Key in .reg format first]

Denis

Try3 said:

Since the problem seems to be about mapping rather than sharing, have you right-clicked on the D:\ drive on your Surface Pro & selected Disconnect?

Denis

Thanks for continuing to help. Check out this screencap.

Sorry, I was still adding to my post as you responded. Use the Registry method.

Denis

If you don't know how to Export Registry Keys then just say so. I'll stay online until 23:59 [your timezone].

Denis

Try3 said:

Sorry, I was still adding to my post as you responded. Use the Registry method.

Denis

I'm on it. I'll let you know how that goes. Thanks an awful lot for putting thought into this.

Are you having problems?

Denis

Try3 said:

Are you having problems?

Denis

No, I just have to run over to the surface to do it. I DO know how to export reg keys, so I'm running over to do it now. And again, truly, THANK you man.

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Try3 said:

Since the problem seems to be about mapping rather than sharing {in other words, I misinterpreted your original post}, have you right-clicked on the D:\ drive on your Surface Pro & selected Disconnect?

The relevant Registry key is
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\MountedDevices
and you should be able to go to its
\DosDevices\D:
entry and just delete that to get the same result.
[Personally, I'd make a new system image before fiddling with that part of the Registry or at least Export the Key in .reg format first]

Denis

This worked. It no longer shows up. I just have to sniff it over to make sure I'm good, but dude, I surely appreciate your help on this!