Inconsistent Computer Visibility Across Win10 Network

Hello all.
I have three computers, let's call them A, B, and C, As much as possible, they are set up identically. But clearly, something isn't.
Searching the internet is yielding some good answers, but also a lot of obsolete ones. So let's call this the Aug-2021 edition of "Fix The Network".
Here's my configuration and issues.

Computer A - Win10 Pro, ver 21H1, running on Ethernet
Computer B - Win10 Home, ver 21H1, running on WiFi
Computer C - Win10 Pro, ver 21H1, running on Ethernet

On each of the computers:
On Windows Features, all three SMP features are turned on.
On Advanced sharing settings, for private, public, and all networks, network discovery is on, file and printer sharing is on.
Media streaming is turned on.
Password protected sharing is turned off.
(From what I've read this should have eliminated the need to setup network credentials. It did not).

Each of the computers can be pinged by name from the others (so no issues with network connectivity).

On A:
In File Explorer > Network
Under Computers, it shows A (itself), B, and C. [good]
Under Media Devices, media players on all 3 computers are shown. [good]
From the command prompt, "net view" responds with a list of all 3 computers. [good]

On B:
In File Explorer > Network
Under Computers, it shows A and B (itself), but does not show C. [bad]
Under Media Devices, media players on all 3 computers are shown. [good]
From the command prompt, "net view" responds with "System error 64 has occurred. The specified network name is no longer available." [bad]

On C:
In File Explorer > Network
Under Computers, it shows A and B, but does not show C (itself). [bad]
Under Media Devices, media players on all 3 computers are shown. [good]
From the command prompt, "net view" responds with "System error 64 has occurred. The specified network name is no longer available." [bad]

Why is "net view" throwing error 64 on computers B & C?
Why can't computer C see itself under "Networks"? [would appear to be a problem on C].
Why can't computer B see C (even though A can) [would appear to be a problem on B].

Your question has been asked many times over the last few years. I have yet to see a solution that works for everyone. I am still plagued by that problem.

I have come up with a workaround that at least lets me access all my computers even when they don't show up in Network. Here is what I did:

1. Create folder next to Network called My Network



2. Open folder and create shortcut to each compute in my home network



Note: to create a shortcut to a computer
1. Right-click and select New > Shortcut
2. For Target use the format \\YourComputerName

I've followed your suggestions:
From dalchina:
I turned off the SMB 1 options on all three computers.
Note that SMB Direct is enabled on computers A and C (running Pro), but that option is not available on computer B (running Home edition).
From MisterEd:
I created a "My Network" folder with the shortcuts.
It works, so that is good, but good lord we should NOT have to jump through these hoops.
And the unsolved puzzle is why I still have to put in Network Credentials even though I have Password Protected Sharing turned off. But it works...just walk away...
Thanks all.

Wisewiz said:

I took MisterEd's method to heart when he first posted it on tenforums a while back, and when I need to use it, it works remarkably well. On a given day, any one of my four machines may not "see" one or more of the others in Start > Network, but there's at least one shared folder on each, and if I need to send something to the unseen PC, I can use my shortcut (made when I could see that PC, obviously) to reach that PC and open the shared folder, and from there it's a snap to drag and drop the material from the sender to the recipient's open folder.

I have been trying for years to find a solution that actually fixed the network problem. Sometimes it would work for a while to only break after some Windows 10 update. Since Microsoft is about to launch Windows 11 I doubt the problem will ever be fixed on Windows 10.

I initially came up with the shortcut method after I got tired of networking not working. As long as the other computers are turned on and not asleep the method works. A lot of people have ignored my method because it is not a real solution. I say what difference does that make. It works doesn't it? That's all that matters.