Unable to use network sharing with 2 PCs on Windows 10

Alicia J said:

I can't see my laptop from my main PC in file explorer except as a media. I can see my Laptop on my main PC listed under network on my main PC.
Is netstat a cmd prompt? If so, do I do it on my main PC or laptop?

The main PC won't be present under file explorer until it has actually been mapped to your system as a network drive, using its IP address, share name to access, and the username/password for a valid account on said main PC.

If your question regarding netstat was ... "is it a command that can be used in the Command Prompt?" ... then the answer is 'yes'. The netstat command, depending on the optional switches used, will display listening ports and active connections currently established on your system.

Take note and be aware that any connections showing an IP of 127.0.0.1 is not an external connection via the internet. This is actually your local machine, conducting what is known as a 'loopback' for various processes and services running in the background.

To break it down in simpler terms, you need to create a second user account on your main PC since its the system you want to access from your laptop. If it feels more familiar and seems easier for you, simply accomplish this through the control panel (or PC Settings now... in Windows 10).



Assuming you're familiar with the process of adding a new user account in Windows 10, the only other actions required are to obtain your main computer's IP address, and map a new network location to that IP address on your laptop. I am also assuming you are able to determine the IP address of your main PC, and with that assumption, the rest is child's play :)

Take note of the username and password you created for the new account as it will be needed. In File Explorer, click on This PC. It is here you will have a menu option along the top labelled Computer (in the same area where you normally find File, View, etc.). After clicking on Computer, you will see several options, one of which will be Add a Network Location.

Follow the prompts until you have an entry box where you can enter the main computer's IP address. As an example, let's assume the IP address is 192.168.1.10. To map a connection from your laptop to your main PC, simply enter

Code:

\\192.168.1.10\C$

and click next. It will take a moment for the two systems to handshake but you should receive a login prompt shortly after this.

Here is where your newly created user account name and password come into play. If you set everything up correctly, all you will have to do is enter the information, and the Wizard Setup will finish, giving you the option to open the C: drive on the main computer i.e. your new mapped network location.

I'm sure there will be some snags or things you may need clarification on, but in a nutshell, this process should work for you. Your post is quite old, so its likely you've already figured all this out, but if not, I hope this helps! :)

All of your assumptions are correct. I did all of those steps you listed when I posted initially I could connect my Windows 7 netbook with my Windows 10 laptop but not my Windows 10 Pc and Laptop.

(My netbook has since my original post been put out of its misery). As for the other two, if I decide to torture myself with another go at it, I’ll keep your last post in case I simply missed something in the process.

Thanks for your reply.