Some users may find that Project Magenta programs work normally at first but stop responding after approximately 30–60 seconds when connected to WideClient.
This can happen on newer or recently updated Windows 11 systems when the PM programs use a shared NetDir folder on another computer.
Windows 11 has tightened security for Windows network shares and may block unauthenticated (guest) access. The PM program can then appear to freeze while it is waiting for access to NetDir. WideClient itself may still be connected and working normally.
Solution
On each affected PM client computer:
Press Win + R
Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
Go to:
Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Network → Lanman Workstation
Open Enable insecure guest logons
Select Enabled
Click Apply and OK
Restart Windows
Alternatively, open Command Prompt as Administrator and enter:
reg add “HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\LanmanWorkstation” /v AllowInsecureGuestAuth /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
After restarting, you can verify access to NetDir with pmFileCheck.
Note: This setting permits legacy guest access to Windows network shares and therefore reduces SMB security. For dedicated simulator networks this may be an acceptable compatibility solution, but on general-purpose or untrusted networks, configuring NetDir with authenticated user access is preferable.