Can't get Windows 10 computers to network connect with Windows 11

This is happening both ways. They see each other's names on the network, but whenever I try to connect I get different errors that seem to point to just generically not being able to connect as if there's knocking on the door but nobody's home.

I'm trying to print from my Windows 11 laptop Wi-Fi through a Windows 10 desktop computer wired to the router. The Windows 10 computers (one's a laptop) can communicate with each other, but the Windows 11 computer seems to be an anomaly to them.

I've gone through as many "normal" steps as I can find, like going into Printers - the printer is recognized by all computers, but I've only installed the Big Software Drivers "suite" nonsense installed on the old laptop, before I started disliking it. The desktop can print without the drivers suite (from Brother, which seems to require a bloated set of tools and maybe trackware that I don't need), and I'm holding off on installing the bloatware for now, but I'm just flummoxed at this disconnect between the Windows 10 computers and the Windows 11 computer.

I've also tried going through Network & Sharing on all 3 computers... everything looks fine. They're all on the Private network, the W10 computers have Network & Sharing enabled, and while I'm not finding that setting in W11, I don't need to share from that computer anyway, and the problem isn't that I can't share from it, it's that it's tripping when I try to get it to access anything on the other computers.

Note that I tried to share files earlier using File Explorer > Network (both ways), and also tried a Remote Desktop Connection and the Remote Desktop app... they can all see each other but are yelling at each other silently through a frosty soundproof window that they can't communicate with each other. It's like they're in slightly different dimensions that can view each other and not touch.

What should I do?

I don't know what you mean by "setup shares on both pc and given access to everyone"...

This used to be automatic after enabling private home network and file/printer sharing. I don't know why it's not working now.

I suppose I need better steps than this to troubleshoot.

I have 4 desktops and 1 laptop successfully networked (private). 3 are Windows 10 and 2 are 11. After selecting what will be shared, it's urgent that all settings on the Advanced Sharing Settings page are precisely the same for every networked computer.

larc919 said:

I have 4 desktops and 1 laptop successfully networked (private). 3 are Windows 10 and 2 are 11. After selecting what will be shared, it's urgent that all settings on the Advanced Sharing Settings page are precisely the same for every networked computer.

A very useful reminder to point out, in my opinion. Thanks!