1703 - Master Browser/SMB Broke Again?

Hi folks.

I see quite a few posts around regarding issues with Homegroups and Network Sharing. It appears to me that SMB is broken again in Creators Update 1703.

I have 3 of 4 systems on 1703, the other is on 1607. What I see is that if any of the 1703 systems is the first one booted up it becomes Master Browser, then things get cock-eyed. Like Net View doesn't work on other systems that are NOT the Master Browser. If the 1607 system is booted first, becomes the Master Browser, then everything works fine, across all 4 systems.

My first indication was really odd things happening with Homegroup sharing.

I did find a solution for this. I have a Netgear Nighthawk router which has a USB port. I plugged in a thumbdrive and shutdown all systems. I booted up one system and checked - sure enough the router is now the Master Browser. I booted up all systems and now everything works perfectly.

Fortunately the Netgear uses the Windows default WORKGROUP. Easy fix for me, but very disappointing that it's broke AGAIN. I wasted several hours trying the usual fixes.

Hope this helps others. Good luck finding a way to keep 1703 from becoming the Master Browser!

Have you looked at the registry edit for the MaintainServerList & IsDomainMaster.

Make 1 pc the Preferred Master Browser
MaintainServerList = Yes
IsDomainMaster = True

On the other pcs
MaintainServerList = Auto
IsDomainMaster = False

Specifying Browser Computers

I have tinkered with these setting in the past and found the results, let's say, unpredictable at best. Even so this wouldn't solve the issue.

I had installed CU/1703 on my test system and my travel laptop. I was quite happy with 1703, encouraged by many new changes, and did not experience any significant issues. Then I installed 1703 on my primary system - this is when I ran into big trouble.

This system is always the first one booted up in the morning and usually the last one shutdown. The 4th 1607 system, my wife's, comes and goes and maybe isn't used at all. My usage of Homegroup is to provide the other systems with access to master file stores and to replicate these stores to the travel laptop.

Changing the settings for Master Browser election wouldn't change the situation where the first booted, primary system, becomes the Master Browser.

I advise not be messing with those settings - your milage will vary.

Sys - your thumb drive suggestion also works on my NETGEAR R6300v2. Hopefully M$ will fix this soon... I beat my brains out for a week before I found this thread...