Windows 10: Devices Disappear from File Explorer Network When Another Device Commects to LAN

Scenario:


When only Desktop and NAS are connected to LAN (each via ethernet):

1) In Left Pane of File Explorer (FE) on Desktop under Network, both are listed

2) In Right Pane of FE on Desktop under Computer, both are listed; under Storage, NAS is listed


When Laptop is connected to LAN (wireless or ethernet) at the same time as Desktop and NAS:

1) In Left Pane of FE on Desktop under Network, only Laptop is listed

2) In Right Pane of FE on Desktop under Computer, only Laptop is listed; under Storage, NAS is listed

3) In Left Pane of FE on Laptop under Network, all three devices are listed

4) In Right Pane of FE on Laptop under Computer, all three devices are listed; under Storage, NAS is listed


Why is this happening?


On Desktop, all of the suggested changes to some pertinent services' Start status (e.g., Function Discovery Provider Host and Peer Networking Grouping) and SMB settings have been made. Please note that these services have not been changed on the Laptop. One or two of the pertinent services are set to Manual start on the Laptop, and one of these services is not even running on the Laptop, yet all of the devices appear in both panes of the Laptop's FE!


Thanks for your assistance.

:)

 

Explorer missing a network device


Hi,
Missing network device - EXTERNALDRIVE
Since the last Windows 10 update which I installed on Dec. 9 I am missing one devices in Explorer > Network on one of three network computers.
They are all present on the other two computers. One of these is Windows 10., the other is Vista Premium.
The complete device list under network is Frankspc, Charlottespc, and Sue_ASUS and ExternalDrive.
The missing device on the Explorer list on Frankspc is EXTERNALDRIVE. I can ping it at 192.168.1.3
Any Ideas on how to get it back in the Explorer list?
Thanks

HP Envy
Windows 10

 

What is this network device?


I woke my desktop PC from sleep this morning, clicked on Network and immediately spotted a Phone in the device list that doesn't belong to anyone here (a Blu brand phone which is unusual enough that I would know about it).

I clicked on the device and was able to view the MAC address, but nothing else useful. A couple minutes later it disappeared from the network list.

Then a few minutes later I went and looked at another PC on the same home network and saw the same phone in its Network list. It also disappeared a couple minutes after I clicked open 'Network'.

Scanned both PCs with various anti-malware programs including Malwarebytes - they look clean.

Any suggestions on what I was seeing, and if it's malicious how to deal with it?


UPDATE: It popped back up again. I checked my router's connection list and don't see it there. For now I blocked the MAC address in my router but would still like to know where this is coming from.

 

Network Devices not Showing with File Explorer


I am hoping that somewhere out there may be able to assist with my problem as I have exhausted countless hours on the various Forums and in tweaking my system with no result to date.
The problem is that on my Home Network (Private) my main PC cannot “see” the other devices on the network. I have two laptops, printer and Samba drive (on my D-Link Router) and the only item that shows up is my own PC.
The other PC running Win 10 pro can see ALL devices on the network.
I can reach the other devices by entering L: \\computername and then access the various drives and documents on the device but my PC will not display them using File Explorer.
Also, I have HomeGroup setup and working OK on both PC’s.
My PC is running Win 10 Home Version 1511 Build 10586.36 64bit along with the MS Office Suite 2013.
The solutions tried without success so far include:
Netsh winsock reset
Netsh int ip reset
Ipconfig/release
Ipconfig/renew
Ipconfig/flushdns
Uninstalled Client for Microsoft Networks then reinstalled
Uninstalled the Adaptor drivers the reinstalled
Checked the registry settings to ensure that the Network Category is correctly set to 1 (Private)
Checked and confirmed that all the required Services are running – these include:

• DHCP Client
• Diagnostic Policy Service
• Diagnostic Service Host
• Diagnostic System Host
• DNS Client
• Peer Networking
• Server

plus a few others that I can’t recall.
Deleted all programs from Programs and Features that are not recognized or not required.
Network discovery and file sharing are both turned on.
When I run the Network trouble shooter it sometimes throws an error message “one or more protocols are missing from this computer” then attempts a fix which usually always fails. The detailed error log refers to win sockets but I have reset them many times with no difference. However, straight after a reboot the automatic fix will work and at results seeing my own PC through File Explorer>Network.
On my other PC (wife’s) when I select - File Explorer>Network I get exactly what is expected, viz:
IBMLaptop (hers)
LenovoZ50 (Mine)
SAMBA1 (attached to my DLink Router)
Epson61477C (Printer)

The TCP/IPv4 setting on both PC’s are exactly the same.
Also, I have another problem that I suspect is related in the “Network ID” button is greyed out and cannot be selected albeit I have confirmed that my network is set to “Private.
I suspect that some other program is making changes to the network setting because very occasionally the File Explorer>Network will display all devices but later reverts to showing either no devices or only the LenovoZ50.
Does anyone out there have any suggestions because I am completely flummoxed.