Windows 7 PCs Can't See Or Talk To Windows 10 PCs

Hi

I am thoroughly confused at present. Before Windows 10 arrived I set up a Workgroup (as opposed to a Homegroup) at home with three Win7 PCs and a WinXP laptop. All PCs could see and talk to all other PCs without requiring a Username and Password.

Now that Win10 has been released I have installed it on two of our PCs, both in dual boot configs; my husband does not want Win10 on his PC yet and continues to use Win7. However, this now means he cannot see or talk to the Win10 PCs without a Username and Password but I can see and talk to his PC as can the second Win10 PC. However, if either Win10 PC is rebooted into Win7 then the same applies to them. Neither can see or talk to the remaining Win10 PC without a Username and Password. Of course, the two Win10 PCs can also see and talk to one another without requiring a Username and Password. We've never used network usernames or passwords since there are only the two of us in the house.

I have tried reading up about Credentials but I don't have ANY credentials set but I can still see and talk to the Win7 PC as well as the other Win10 PC.

Surely there has to be a way that Windows 7 PCs can be made to see and talk to Win7 PCs without a Username and Password. In this regard if anyone can shine a light on the problem it would be much appreciated, thank you very much. If you need any further information then please let me know and I'll do my best to oblige.

Incidentally, having read this post through several times it looks a little confusing because of liberal use of the phrase "Username and Password" but I hope you understand what I am trying to say and I apologise for any confusion I may cause.

Tracey

Don't try to fight it. It is not really relevant whether you have had to use credentials before.

The key to adding credentials is to add the computer name in front of the username like so - Computername\username. These names belong to the computer you are trying to access. The password is self explanatory.

See how you go.

Hi
I have sussed out what was wrong. I hadn't completed setting of the advanced homegroup settings since I didn't realise there was another group of settings at the bottom of the windows which were relevant to ALL Networks. On checking this group of settings there was one related to turning on sharing and another which turned OFF password protected sharing.. My husband has now checked he can see, talk to and share his files with both Windows 10 PCs. All seems to be OK now.
Tracey

Nice one.

TraceyW said:

Hi
I have sussed out what was wrong.
Tracey

So Tracey are you planning to share how you fixed it??

Per Microsoft tech who fixed my similar problem. While working on a different problem they performed an in=place re-install and that reset services so that even activating all the proper settings in control panel, those services remained turned off.

--
You may find the services we activated/ change to automatic delayed to get the network connections working:
- Make sure all the computer are on the same network.
- Type services.msc on the search bar and make sure all the below services are set to “Automatic (Delayed start).



1. Computer browser.
2. Function Discovery Provider Host
3. Function Discovery Resource Publication
4. Network Connections
5. Peer Name Resolution Protocol, Peer Networking Grouping, Peer Networking Identity Manager and UPnP Device Host.

Hi there @paulckruger

Windows 10 (same for W11 too) on default new install doesn't enable SMB1 which Windows 7/8/8.1/XP all need for network access / sharing / browsing.

Just go into add windows features in control panel and enable SMB1. It's a < 1 min fix Min fix and re-boot

Q.E.D!!

no need for expensive techs etc

Your "Technician" probably did similar while "blinding you with science" and trying to justify his fee !!!

Sounds a bit like those "financial advisors" at Goldman Sachs and other financial institutions.

My Late Grandad always used to say about those people : "Then where are all the Investors Yachts !! ".

Cheers
jimbo

No fee. Was on another problem on W10 that has so far baffled MS Support Level 1, level 2 and now I have a dedicated Level 3 tech on the job. The others while trying to fix that problem broke my network so this guy happily fixed it and sent me that email.

Have another call with him today at 4PM. Original problem, URL shortcuts when clicked open printer dialog not web browser. So far myself and MS have spent 5 hours on this bug and they still have no clue why or how to fix it.

At this point I know I can live without URL shortcuts working but I refuse to give in to a stupid machine without a fight. I have the time, Microsoft has the money.

LOL



Windows 10 (same for W11 too) on default new install doesn't enable SMB1 which Windows 7/8/8.1/XP all need for network access / sharing / browsing.

Just go into add windows features in control panel and enable SMB1. It's a < 1 min fix Min fix and re-boot

Q.E.D!!

no need for expensive techs etc

Your "Technician" probably did similar while "blinding you with science" and trying to justify his fee !!!

Sounds a bit like those "financial advisors" at Goldman Sachs and other financial institutions.

My Late Grandad always used to say about those people : "Then where are all the Investors Yachts !! ".

Cheers
jimbo[/QUOTE]