Map Network Drive to C$ Share - Windows 7 & Vista

Understanding and Modifying the C$ Share in Windows Vista and 7

The existence of the hidden administrator share, C$, is well-known among Windows users. However, its functionality can be perplexing when attempting to utilize it within Windows 7 or Vista environments.

The primary cause for this incompatibility stems from User Account Control (UAC), a security feature prominently featured in Vista. By default, Vista restricts UAC elevation when accessed over a network using a local user account.

Adjusting Registry Settings for C$ Access

A modification to the Windows Registry can alter this behavior, aligning it with the functionality observed in Windows XP. This involves adjusting a specific registry key.

It's crucial to acknowledge that implementing this change will reduce your system's security posture. While understanding the inner workings of Windows is valuable, this adjustment is not generally recommended.

Manual Registry Hack: Initiate the Registry Editor (regedit.exe) via the Start menu search or the Run dialog box. Then, navigate to the following key, creating it if it doesn't already exist:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

Within the right pane, create a new 32-bit DWORD value named LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy. Assign a value of 1 to this new entry.

To revert this change, either set the value back to 0 or completely delete the created registry key.

Post-Modification Steps

Following this registry adjustment, you should be able to map to the C$ share and execute certain administrative tasks remotely.

Ensure that file sharing is enabled within the Network and Sharing Center. Additionally, verify that your firewall configuration permits file sharing activities.

Remember that enabling network access to administrative shares like C$ can introduce security risks. Carefully consider these implications before implementing the described changes.