Windows 10: Can share files/printers but can't "see" other computer on my network

When I click on "Network" in the Explorer, it doesn't show the other computer named "hostname" on my local ethernet network. However, if I enter "\\hostname" in the search bar, then the shared printers and files set for sharing show up and I can access them and print.


There are an unending number of posts from the community and MS support on how to make other PC's on a network visible and I've tried many, many of these "solutions" with no luck. This includes a network reset and clicking "yes" to the question of making other computers visible.


Right now this is a cosmetic issue, since I can access shared files, but I'd like to fix it so that I can just use the explorer to see a PC on the network, and click on it to access files. Seems like it should be a simple fix.


Greg

:)

 

Can't share printer—getting error message

Yeah, I have windows firewall disabled, and I don't use any other firewall... mostly to prevent stupid issues like this.

None taken... and yeah, I do.

 

Connecting computer with no internet connection to network printer


@dk1971

1. Open Admin command and type: ipconfig
   
   
   
2. Win+X->Control Panel->Netwok and Sharing Center
   Follow the screen shot. This should disable internet access from this PC but allows access to local device(s)
   NOTE: Use the IP & Subnet Mask from step 1. Leave Default gateway & DNS Server blank
   
   
   

 

turning on file and printer sharing windows 10

Thank you for the update. What we can suggest now is to turn on File and Printer sharing in Command Prompt. Here are the steps to do it:

• Leave File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks turned
  on.
• Type CMD in the Search bar.
• Right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as Administrator.
• Type netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group="File and Printer Sharing" new enable=Yes, and hit
  Enter.
• Exit from the command prompt, and check if it will work.

If issue persists, try turning it on using Powershell, and check if it works. Here are the steps:

• Leave File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks turned
  on.
• Type Powershell in the Search bar.
• Right-click on Windows PowerShell, and select
  Run as Administrator.
• Type netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group="File and Printer Sharing" new enable=Yes, and hit
  Enter.
• Close PowerShell.

Let us know how it goes.