No Network choice on File Explorer

rtcary · 23 Mar 2023

The other day I had to shur everything dow since the neighborhood power was turned off incuding the Internet.. Upon rebooting my Mac and Windows 10 computer ((version 2H2), new IP addresses were sought and connected to. Both computers work, and once I changed the IP address in the Mac, it connects to the Windows 10. However Network is missing on the Windows 10 File Explorer, so I cannot connect the Windows 10 workgroup to the Mac. Very strange.Tried rebooting and checking to verify that the settings are correct.

Any suggestions?

Todd

Compumind · 25 Mar 2023

Hi.

Did you go into the settings in File Explorer?

Try3 · 25 Mar 2023

rtcary said:

Network is missing on the Windows 10 File Explorer

Todd,

Do you mean
there are no entries in File explorer, Network
or
the File explorer, Network entry itself does not exist?

Denis

rtcary · 25 Mar 2023

Denis -

I upgraded from Windows 10 to 11 and the Network is there. But that did not help with the challenge of connecting my Windows workgroup with the Mac workgroup since the Mac was not shown in the Networks. From the Mac to Windows it is a snap: enter the correct IP and make sure File Sharing is set on the Windows and the workgroup names are the same.

From the Windows to the Mac is another story; maybe due to the fact that I do not know all of the details (been using Windows since it was deviloped). With persistence and help from "Uncle Google" I figured it out, and for my lack of knowledge, the Mac does not show under Networks. Here is my solution (seem so simple once one learns how):

Open File Explorer from the taskbar or the Start menu, or press the Windows logo key + E

In the PC box, Enter the NetBios name of the Mac: TODDSIMAC or
enter the Mac's ip: \\192.168.1.7

To assign a letter to a directory, right click on the directory and select, Add a letter

What tidbit of knowledge am I missing about connecting Mac computers?

With great appreciation for this forum...
Todd

Try3 · 25 Mar 2023

Todd,

Your description indicates that you do not have a network connection problem. You just have a File explorer, Network section problem.
File explorer's Network section has been haphazard for years. It sometimes show network computers & sometimes does not. There's nothing a mere mortal can do about it.
You will probably get suggestions such as using Net Start/Stop FDResPub but I gave up on all such uncertain short term measures in favour of shortcuts ages ago.

Many of us use shortcuts to our network computers. {You don't have to assign drive letters to them, you can just use the shortcuts}
I write my shortcut Target fields in the form
\\TODDSIMAC\SharedFolderName
but
\\TODDSIMAC
will get you there with a bit of browsing afterwards.

Other than that I will not be much help.
I have not had network problems so I have not developed any network fault rectification skills.
I use this checklist to set up my network and have done so successfully for years.
A consolidated network setup checklist [post #4] - TenForums
The checklist contains all necessary cross-references to tutorials.

It won't make any difference in this case but I should mention that you ought to have posted in
ElevenForum
rather than TenForums.

Best of luck,
Denis

rtcary · 25 Mar 2023

Thanks Denis!!

Yup, I started out ten and then upgraded in trying to solve the problem. Now any poblem will be Eleven.

With appreciation,

Todd

Try3 · 25 Mar 2023

Todd,

Since we've started here we can carry on here.

Have you been able to create & use shortcuts between your network computers?

Denis

rtcary · 25 Mar 2023

Denis -

Yes, using Drive letters that are automatically assigned starting with "Z".

Now that I got Network present and working, I have another problem: my Desktop is filled with items but the Desktop folder is empty. That will be an Eleven problem.

As a note, having access the Mac is important since I keep an extra back external drive.

Thanks for your help and followup.

Todd

Try3 · 25 Mar 2023

Checks:-
1 Right-click & select Refresh
2 See what's in C:\Users\Public\Desktop

Denis