Sunday, February 17, 2019

Microsoft Windows Can't See Other Computers

While troubleshooting a computer which could not see other devices on the network, I found that the "network discovery" setting would not turn on. This is on Microsoft Windows 10.

Press the Start button, and then type: control panel
Open the Control Panel and go to: Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network and Sharing Center

Choose "Change advanced sharing settings"


Choose "Turn on network discovery" and then press "Save changes".





















You will then be taken back to the prior window. Go back in to "Change advanced sharing settings" and confirm the network discovery is actually turned on. If it is not turned on, you should check which services are running.
Press the Start button and then type: services
In the Services application, look for "SSDP Discovery". If it is not running, right-click and start it.











Now when you start File Explorer and go to Network, you should see devices on the network. You should at least be able to see your router. If you can see the router but not other devices such as a NAS, start troubleshooting by trying to ping the device by IP address.