Master Browser question

I have 3 computers all connected to ports on my gateway via ethernet cables.
All three are running Windows 10 Version 1809 with yesterday's updates..

Desktop#1 is the Master browser (verified using the nbtstat -n command).

Desktop#1 lists all three computer names under Network on File Explorer.

Desktop#2 and Desktop#3 do not list any computer names under Network on File Explorer no matter how long I wait.

From other posts, I thought that the Master Browser computer maintained a list of computer names and somehow transmitted the list to the other computers. It does not seem to be happening for me.

This is not critical since I can add network locations via This PC.

But any insight you could provide concerning the operation of the Master browser would be appreciated.

MB isnt fixed its normally the first pc on the network but if that shuts down then an election is held and another takes over. As a new pc comes on the network it can take 10+mins for it to be found. All pc should have netbios running this tool can scan the network and often wakes it up and shows currect MB NetBScanner - NetBIOS scanner all PC should be in same workgroup and subnet

I'm experiencing similar problems on my main computer. Using NetBScanner.exe I see the Master Browser on another computer but never see my own computer show up in the Master Browser list by ID or MAC address. It's almost as if it is hidden from my router and network. I'm not sure where or how to troubleshoot this sort of issue. Any suggestions? Tired, Retired but Retreaded ready to use my head (GRIN).

It doesn't matter who is master browser as long as it works normally if you turn others off and restart your and leave it a bit it should become mb

I do wait for NetBscanner to display my computer by ID but it never shows up at all in the list. My computer is a Lenovo and should show up as .....15 on the list but it is absent.


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I am not able to find other computers on my private network. I can only find Marys_Tiger the one listed above which has been assigned the Master Browser. All other computers seem to not appear on my network. All have been assigned the same WORKGROUP name etc. I'm struggling to understand why they do not appear. I suspect a firewall or assignment issue of some sort which may be a pre-requisite for membership (on the network) and 'voting' for who is the Master Browser.

PChucks Network: The NT Browser (or Why can't I always see all of the computers on the LAN?)

“ \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services \Browser\Parameters”, ensure the “MaintainServerList” is set to Yes or Auto
5.In the same location of registry, ensure that at least one computer in each subnet, has the “IsDomainMaster” REG_SZ key set as True.
After that, please wait for about 12 minutes and try “net view” again on these Windows 10 computers.
Also, please open the Network in Explorer, and check if computers will be listed in Network.”

Can you access other pcs by there IP?

Samuria: Yes I can access other (missing) PC's by their IP. Can ping them etc.
Bro67: Fantastic article "PChucks Network: The NT Browser (or Why can't I always see all of the computers on the LAN?)" for those needing the basics on how the Network/Workgroup keeps track of all computers. Thanks for that enlightenment! At least I now understand enough to be VERY DANGEROUS! (Smile) I strongly recommend this article as a BEGINNER lesson on understanding the problem.