This week I upgraded to a new router. While fighting some unexpected connectivity problems I found that network discovery had been turned off on all 3 of my computers. Should I have anticipated this? I can't think of any reason Windows would care. The 3 computers all got new IP addresses via DHCP, but that can't be the reason. (Can it?)
Does anyone have an explanation for network discovery getting turned off?
Maybe an update occurred at the same time you changed the router. It will get confused if it thinks it is on a public network and ask to turn on Network Discovery for that network, so be careful.
My 2 desktop PCs are never on a public network. My laptop seldom is, but could be. I guess it makes sense for a router change to prompt this change to "public" since the laptop could suddenly be on a public network.
Any idea what Windows uses to determine when to switch to "public"? I want to be able to fix this sooner the next time I do something to cause it. I'm not likely to get a new router again any time soon, but I'm futzing around with my new toy and have no idea what I might do to upset Windows.
Lots of potential causes. I've noticed that major upgrades tend to do this most often, but sometimes, other kinds of "resets" (installing new drivers, installing new networking software, especially VPNs,) can also have an impact. YMMV, as they say on the Internet.
HTH,
--Ed--
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