Windows 10 PC doesn't show to other computers on network

Hi,

I'm having an issue with my Windows 10 (latest version) PC that I cannot solve. Or can half solve before it goes back to not working again after a reboot. Let me explain.

The desktop PC I have ("DESKTOP") is not showing in "Network" in Windows on either my laptop, tablet or any other computer on my network. All others do (plus they show themselves in "Network" too - so for example, my Samsung laptop shows "SAMSUNG" in it's own Network places window, as well as on my desktop PC)

I fixed this by going into settings and then network, and then selecting "Network reset", which resets all the systems network settings, re-installs the driver again etc. After the system restarts, this computer named DESKTOP shows in Network places on the desktop and on the laptop computer. But when I eventually restart again, the same issue occurs - the DESKTOP system no longer shows up on the network, and I honestly have no idea why because nothing changes, network settings wise.

Why should it work after I reset the network settings, and then go back to not working again when I restart the computer?

Thanks

Alex,

The Network section of File explorer has been knacked for about six years.

Test your network for real problems by writing in the File explorer address bar the ComputerName of the computer you are trying to communicate with in this syntax
\\COMPUTERNAME\
If that works with each of them then there's nothing wrong with your network.
You can also write the \\COMPUTERNAME\ in shortcut target fields and ignore the Network section of File explorer entirely. Many of us do that.

If you do find that there is a real network problem then you can check each setting on each computer:
A consolidated network setup checklist for Windows 10 and 11 - my post #4 - TenForums


Best of luck,
Denis

Alex,

How are you getting on?
Are you able to communicate using the shortcuts i.e. there is no network fault but merely a File explorer, Network section annoyance?



Thanks for the rep,
Denis

Try3 said:

Alex,

How are you getting on?
Are you able to communicate using the shortcuts i.e. there is no network fault but merely a File explorer, Network section annoyance?



Thanks for the rep,
Denis

Hi Denis,

Thanks for your help with this.

Yes I am able to access my shares by using \\ALEX-DESKTOP (the name of my desktop PC) even though it is not showing in Network Places, so as you say I should be able to set some shortcuts up for this.

I am confused as to why it is this machine in particular where it is not working in Explorer, I have two laptops and an old Windows 10 tablet which all show the systems in the Network Places folder, but not this one, what has actually happened to Windows Explorer?

Thanks again.

Other people have also reported that there seems to be no logic in which computers show up in File explorer, Network.
And I've sometimes seen File explorer, Network start displaying all the computers if I just leave it alone for an hour or so. But not always.


Denis

Run this on all pcs does this see it often it kicks it into life note which is the master browser NetBScanner - NetBIOS scanner

Run this on all pcs does this see it often it kicks it into life note which is the master browser NetBScanner - NetBIOS scanner

Samuria said:

Run this on all pcs does this see it often it kicks it into life note which is the master browser NetBScanner - NetBIOS scanner

Thanks, I've tried this tool as suggested, but it only finds other devices on the network, not my desktop machine. It finds the laptop and my old tablet. What's the master browser all about?

What is the exact share name on:
\\ALEX-DESKTOP

PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> Get-SMBShare
PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> Get-NetConnectionProfile

I guess that you don't have any shared folder

Windows doesn't look for pcs it asks master browser for a list and can take 20 mins+ to find a new pc turned on. In the pc that's not showing open a CMD prompt type
Ipconfig /all
Post results