Home network - can't get all PCs to see each other

I have a home network with 2 PCs (C & B) and 2 laptops (C & D) all running Windows 10 with latest update.
Using File Explorer - Network -

A can see B & self (A)
B can see A & self (B)
C can see A & B but not self (C)
D can see A & B and self (D) but not C

A can see and access shared folders on B
B can see shared folders but cannot access folders on B
C can see shared folders on A & B but can't access either
D can see shared folders on A & B but can only access those on B

Unless I have missed something
All computers have network sharing set to on.
All shared folders have advanced sharing set with Share folders ticked and full control permissions to Everyone.
Simultaneous users limited to 3.
Under Security, all Groups user names - Authenticated users, System, Admin and Users have full control

These settings are probably not ideal from a security point of view but only my wife and I have access on network so it's not an issue. However I have set them as above trying to get all 4 machines to talk to each other.
In general all I seem to be able to do is most cases is access folders and files on B.

Unfortunately when I went to Hogwarts I didn't attend the classes on the Black Arts.

If someone moved into your street how long would it be before you noticed? It's same for PC it can take time before it's seen. Windows doesn't look for it but asks the master browser which is on one pc and takes care of this it can take 20 mins.

For shares you need to set a share up and set permission then you need to set NTFS permission on folders or your going nowhere. If you try and share profile folders they have special settings so not simple to change.

The very simple way is for all users to have same account and password on every PC. When you try and connect by default windows passes username your logged in as so unless you have set it to everyone you will be refused unless you pass other details

I can't help with your actual problem as I have the same issues myself.

But, try this and see what happens.

Go to A and create a new folder on the desktop called "nushare". Share this folder with everyone.

Go to C, open File Explorer and type this into the address bar: \\A\Users\user\Desktop\nushare. This assumes that your username on A is "user". If not type in your actual username. Click the arrow at the right side of the address bar and wait for 10-20 seconds. You should have full access to all shares on A.

This works for me. Why, I don't know.

JackHughs

W

Thanks Samuria & Jack - will try those suggestions.

Jack

This works for me. Why, I don't know.

So you haven't been to Hogwarts either?

Download this test http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/netbios_scanner.html run it on all pcs when they are on together does it see all other pc and which is master browser? This often kick thing into life

A saw B, C & D None flagged as master
B
C saw B & D
D saw B & C
which is different from the original "views" (repeated below for convenience)
using File Explorer
A can see B & self (A)
B can see A & self (B)
C can see A & B but not self (C)
D can see A & B and self (D) but not C

I have tried/implemented both of your suggestions (Samuria) and Jack's) without success.
Windows troubleshooter is unhelpful - it just confirms what I knew - I can't connect!

When you did scans had all PC's been on for at least an hour give them time to see each other and have a master browser. You should be able to connect using IP in the mean time by using \\ip\sharename. Is \\192.168.1.21\c$

That didn't work either.
I think I am in a hole so am inclined to stop digging! I am sure everything is set the same on each computer but still the only possible traffic is between A & B and that is if controlled from A. I am inclined to settle for that and a pen drive for any other transfers.

Thanks for your attempts to help.

Sigurd said:

That didn't work either.
I think I am in a hole so am inclined to stop digging! I am sure everything is set the same on each computer but still the only possible traffic is between A & B and that is if controlled from A. I am inclined to settle for that and a pen drive for any other transfers.

Thanks for your attempts to help.

Sorry to hear that. If you have any teeny-tiny scrap of patience left, please try to connect to A from B using my suggestion.

JackHughs

I had tried that as well!
As for patience, having sporadically tried to get a reliable network going in my house on several occasions, you may understand why it's run out. As the non-network is in my house it would just have been a convenient way of sharing the occasional document and mainly photos between my wife's and my computers. We can live without it - carry on using a pen drive!
But it is frustrating - I hate being beaten by machines.