This was going to be a question post, but for now it's nothing more than a brain dump.
First, for File Explorer to work at all, one must have the setting "Programs that automatically connect to a private network should connect using:" in Network Management (this is on your Windows phone) set to the same as the "Programs that automatically connect to the Internet", On my device, this is accessed by Start -> Settings -> Connections -> Connections. Choose 'Advanced' tab. Click 'Select Networks' button.
Second, verify these registry settings:
Valid values: 1 or 0 or 2. Recommend 1
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HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Comm\SecurityProviders\NTLM\LmCompatibilityLevelClient
If not present, add the following. Valid values: 0 or 1. Recommend 0
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HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Comm\SecurityProviders\NTLM\NoLmHash
If not present, add the following
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HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Comm\SecurityProviders\Negotiate\Providers
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HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Comm\SecurityProviders\Providers
The sad thing is-- and I'm only speaking of my device-- even with all these modifications, one, from time to time, has connection problems. This I think might have something to do with the way the LAN adapers are enumerated and utilized. Seems that sometimes the 802.11 adapter times out or is skipped and the access stalls. The only work around for that is to keep trying and eventually it will come up.
I've also noticed, in Total Commander, when \\server\folder doesn't work, \\server works, which is odd.