Windows 10 Lenovo Laptop: Cannot Access Homegroup

I am not sure what happened to my settings, but if anyone can help, would be greatly appreciated!

I am running a Lenovo Win 10 notebook on a home system, at least theoretically networked into two Win 10 PC's and one Win 7 PC. Now, all of a sudden, the notebook only shows the Win 7 PC on the network in explorer...and I cannot get any response to homegroups. On the Change Homegroups Settings, clicking on the Change The Password link gets no response...and when I click on Leave the Homepage, it says I cannot do that either. I am the only user of this device, presume have administrator privileges.

I am one of those people who hates tweaking anything that will make anything worse....I know, you've heard that one before...even though I am NOT a total newbie.

Anyway, any thoughts and suggestions will be much appreciated...usual frustrations when something does not work.

bro67 said:

Homegroup has always been a mess. Try using standard network workgroup and it should work. The problem is that Microsoft uses IPv6 for Homegroup, along with the way the key is created, systems can end up not seeing each other if an update causes issues or someone reinstalls the OS on a machine and does not take the units out of the Homegroup before doing so. Also third party security software can cause issues.

I do very much appreciate the reply. I am sure you are right, since I have not been changing a single thing on my systems, it must have been an update issue. Right now, I face the following:

Win 7 PC - can see all four systems on Homegroups, only itself on network
Win 10 PC #1 and #2 - can see all four systems on Homegroups and network
Win 10 Notebook - only sees the Win 7 PC on the networks, and cannot connect via homegroups.

All use Zone Alarm Internet Security as their firewall.

I can live with the problem, maybe some future Windows update will fix it...not worth spending hours to troubleshoot...I did read about a file on can rename (was isset or something like that) and that can sometimes help, but maybe I should leave well enough alone...

Again, thanks again for taking time to review my issue!

There is a known problem in File Explorer for computers who have been upgraded to the Creators Update. You may not be able to see all your computers in the Network list? Network discovery has been broken. So if you have upgraded some of your Windows 10 systems to the Creators Update, you could be experiencing this issue. You will need to wait for MS to fix it. As a temporary workaround, if you enter the computer name (i.e. \\MYCOMPUTER2) in the File Explorer Network address bar, it should pick it up in the Navigation Panel from where you can access it. When MS will fix this is unknown. They are apparently aware of it.

JohnD

johnpd said:

There is a known problem in File Explorer for computers who have been upgraded to the Creators Update. You may not be able to see all your computers in the Network list? Network discovery has been broken. So if you have upgraded some of your Windows 10 systems to the Creators Update, you could be experiencing this issue. You will need to wait for MS to fix it. As a temporary workaround, if you enter the computer name (i.e. \\MYCOMPUTER2) in the File Explorer Network address bar, it should pick it up in the Navigation Panel from where you can access it. When MS will fix this is unknown. They are apparently aware of it.

JohnD

Well, that DOES explain a lot...I always figure it might be something I had done wrong, or a problem with my Zone Alarm, but with this explanation, I won't bother trying to tweak anything. I have had success with the \\mycomputer entry in the search box, but as I am sure you know, it does not "stick" in the network list on explorer. I always dread Windows updates, for this very reason. In their defense, I realize that there are billions of Win 10 systems with an infinite number of variations of software added by users...but geez, what a black hole for time trying to fix things when they break.

I hope that some future update will fix this, but I can live either way.

Thanks ever so much for this clarification.

bro67 said:

Get rid of Zone alarm. It is known to cause problems with updates blocking services and ports.

Oh...I have been using ZA for years...what would you recommend instead, if I might ask? I am very open to alternative suggestions.

Once you rule out any issues with Zone Alarm. As a work around for the Win10 Master Browser issue. Shut down all PC's and start the Win7 PC first, then the other PC's . This should make the Win7 PC the master browser and hopefully then you will be able to see / use the other PC's in the HomeGroup.

Eagle51 said:

Once you rule out any issues with Zone Alarm. As a work around for the Win10 Master Browser issue. Shut down all PC's and start the Win7 PC first, then the other PC's . This should make the Win7 PC the master browser and hopefully then you will be able to see / use the other PC's in the HomeGroup.

Good idea...I turned off all four...turned on the Win 7 system...then turned on the two Win 10 PC's and the Win 10 notebook...now all Win 10 systems see each other and the Win 7 system in the network....the Win 7 system, interestingly, does not see any of the other PC's.