File sharing doesn't work in a private network

Hi,

This problem has been bugging me for quite some time now and I just can't solve it by myself. I got two Windows 10 Pro 64-bit computers connected to a Asus RT-N56U and I try to share files between them. File sharing works sometimes (not very often) when I keep restarting my computers, but normally the computers cannot be accessed. I only see the other computer as a "media device".

From sharing settings I've set full permissions to "everyone". I also modified the security tab so that everything is allowed to everyone.
From the advanced sharing options I have network discovery, file and printer sharing and 128-bit encryption turned on. Password protection is off and so is public folder sharing. I've tried to set some windows services like DHCP-server to start automatically, but it made no difference. I also disabled homegroup.

The last thing I tried was to use windows 10 feature "network reset" on both computers and when I first restarted my computers both computers were accessible! After another restart the problem came back and now I'm unable to access the other computer.

Any idea what's causing this and what could I do to fix this?

Hey Ari,
What Win10 version/build are your running ? (winkey + r > type winver > click ok)

Note: If you are running 1703...
There is a known issue with Win10 (1703) Network Discovery/Master Browser where networked PC's don't show up. You should still be able to access the shares using \\COMPUTERNAME\SHARENAME or \\192.168.X.Y\SHARENAME ... Until MS fixes the issue there are a couple of workarounds ...

1. Map your network shares. Map Network Drive in Windows 10 Windows 10 Network Sharing Tutorials
2. If your router has a USB port and supports File Sharing (you have a USB Stick or USB HDD). Connect the USB Stick or USB HDD to your router and setup File Sharing thru your routers admin, this should make your router the Master Browser. Shut Down ALL PCs, then start each one and they should show up.

The only way I've found around this is to assign all PC's to the same Home Group. Once I did that Sharing any folder between any PC on my home network worked as I expected. I am no expert on the subject.. just know it worked for me. -Steve

Eagle51 said:

Note: If you are running 1703...

Apparently I'm running version 1703

There is a known issue with Win10 (1703) Network Discovery/Master Browser where networked PC's don't show up. You should still be able to access the shares using \\COMPUTERNAME\SHARENAME or \\192.168.X.Y\SHARENAME ... Until MS fixes the issue there are a couple of workarounds ...

You were right, I can access the other computer just using "\\COMPUTERNAME". This was a very easy workaround and works for me, thank you for your help!