Windows 10: Can't connect network file or printer sharing between 2 new SurfacePros and older desktop.....

I have an older Dell desktop running Windows 10 and 2 brand new Surface Pros also on 10. Two huge issues:


A. The Surfaces cannot connect via wifi to do network file sharing. I think I have shared all the folders I wish to share properly, but the the "specific" person option gives no real direction on the protocol for doing that. I have read about 20 solution here and tried as many as I could understand and no luck. Sometimes when all three are on same wifi, can't even see them in File Explorer. If they do show up, there is a whole permissions problem and can't seem to figure out how to satisfy this. Homegroup was much easier.


B. I Can't see the printer I have shared from the Desktop om either of the Surfaces. There seems to be no way to add the printer without seeing it.


I am not a programmer or an IT person...just a Joe trying to network my computers so the Kids can do schoolwork. I think when I got the first Surface, I had at least the printer networked, but it disappeared, probably with a Windows update...Same with the file sharing on the second one I bought...It hade file Sharing but cannot even see it now from the desktop,


Thanks for the help...

:)

 

Need help connecting XP Laptop to Vista Desktop's Printer.

will try this

 

Need help connecting XP Laptop to Vista Desktop's Printer.

Sorry , I think, I read wrong.*Slap :slap: Are you tring to connect wirelessly to the printer on the desktop and the printer is connected to the desktop thru usb or something?


Quoted from MS website:
Sharing a printer


If you have a printer attached to one of your computers, you can print to it from any computer connected to your wireless network. To share a printer, follow these steps:

1. Log on to computer that has the printer attached to it.

2. Open Network and Sharing Center by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Network and Internet, and then clicking Network and Sharing Center.

3. Click the arrow button next to Printer sharing, click Turn on printer sharing, and then click Apply.

4. Click the arrow button next to Password protected sharing, click Turn off password protected sharing, and then click Apply.

Note

If you have password-protected sharing turned on, people will need a user account with a password on your computer to access your printer.

To access the printer from any computer on the network, follow these steps:

1. Open Network by clicking the Start button , and then clicking Network.

2. Double-click the icon for the computer that has the printer attached to it.

3. Double-click the icon for the printer. Windows will automatically add the printer to your computer and install the printer driver.

Troubleshoot network printer problems

Sorry again and goodluck*Smile

 

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.