Windows 10: Can't Get Windows 10 File Sharing To Work Reliably

I am seriously at my wits end with Windows File Share with regards to how difficult it is to simply set two computers to see each other and share files. I'm turning here to get some help because none of the suggestions I've found so far are a true fix for the issue.

Here's the thing: It does work, sometimes. I can see and share files over the network.

Other times, it doesn't. Computers, even themselves, won't show in Network folder. Sometimes, other computers in my house will show up, even when those computers don't have any shared files on them. I'll walk away for an hour and then come back to find all the computer will show in network folder but can't connect between them. (Route error. My assumption was the local IP had changed; this was before I set static IPs) Sometimes, I'll double click to open the network of another computer to have it hang trying to load. No error but it never opens the the folder. Everything seems so completely random.

Computers will still ping each other when the network folder is empty.

The key thing here is how it sometimes can't find itself. How is that even possible? It's it own computer; how can it not find it's own shares. It doesn't have to look at the network for that.

I restart both computer 6 times, turn off and on sharing, restart the router, reset the network cards on both computers, and all other manner of common troubleshooting steps and BOOM, it'll start working, seeing and sharing files with each other. Nothing new is really done or changed, it just seems to want to start working at that time. A day or two later, back to not working. Here we go again with another 45 minutes of guessing what's wrong when nothing has changed.

Scenario:

• Router: ASUS RT-N66U, running the latest firmware.
• Router: Factory defaults loaded and re-setup.
• Router: Computer 1 & 2 have static IP, no DHCP.
• Computer 1 is connected to router by wired connection.
• Computer 2 is connected to router by wireless connection, 5ghz. (Signal is near max, one room away)
• Both Networks are set to Private.
• Computer 1 has Windows 10 Pro Version 1809, fully updated.
• Computer 2 has Windows 10 Home Version 1809, fully updated.
• Both have local user accounts.
• Both are running Windows10FirewallControl, third party firewall software.

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Settings for share:
Private:

• Network Discovery: On
• Turn on auto setup of network connected devices: On
• File and printer sharing: On

Guest or Public:

• All Off.

All Networks:

• 128-bit Encryption: On
• Password Protected Sharing: Off

-------------------------------------------------
Other Info:

• Windows10FirewallControl isn't the problem. I've opened the firewall completely and also uninstalled the firewall program. Behavior is the same.
• Was using DHCP before and now am using static ip address. Behavior is the same (arguably worse now).
• Sometimes one computer can see and share and then the other can't. Don't understand why.
• Function Discovery Provider Host & Function Discovery Resource Publication service set to Automatic. Behavior is the same.
• Router has been updated and factory defaults loaded and re-setup. Behavior is the same.
• Power cycle computers and router many times. Behavior is the same.
• Windows 10 network reset completed on both computers. Behavior is the same.
• Both computer were on Windows 10 1803. Updated both to 1809. Behavior is the same.
• Computer 2 cannot be connected by wire. I understand this "might" fix the issue but that's not feasible with the locations of the computers and router. On principle, wireless should just work. Wireless networks have been around for decades. Switching to wire isn't a "fix" for the issue. It's a workaround. I shouldn't have to inconvenience myself because of Windows's broken file sharing.
• I have zero security concerns on my local network. Only my devices are ever connected to it. Only security concern is if the internet can view my files, which I don't want to happen.

I'm so sick of this crap with something so simple: just share the damn files. The time I've wasted troubleshooting and never really fixing the issue could have been saved by just using a external hard drive and copying the files that way. That's a hassle I shouldn't have to do. This should work without so much headache.

What am I missing here? Any new suggestions on what I can do to fix this once and for all? Better yet, any recommendations for third party LOCAL file sharing (no internet, LAN only) that doesn't hook into built-in windows services that, apparently, are still broken?

:)

 

Windows 10 Tweaks

Pressing “Windows+Pause Break” (it’s up there next to scroll lock) opens the “System” Window.

Windows 10: In the new version of Windows, Explorer has a section called Quick Access. This includes your frequent folders and recent files. Explorer defaults to opening this page when you open a new window. If you’d rather open the usual This PC, with links to your drives and library folders, follow these steps:

• Open a new Explorer window.
• Click View in the ribbon.
• Click Options.
• Under General, next to “Open File Explorer to:” choose “This PC.”
• Click OK

credit to Lifehacker.

 

SHARING FILES WITH WINDOWS 7

Hello,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

• Have you made any changes on your PC?
• Did you perform any Windows update recently?
• Are you connected to Domain network?

I suggest you to try the below steps and check if that helps.

1. To share files over file explorer refer the following
   
   article.
2. Refer article for
   file sharing over a network.

Hope it helps.

Let us know if you got the help you needed by clicking, Yes or No.

Sandeep Kumar M

Microsoft Community - Moderator

 

windows file sharing not through homegroups is not working

Hi Robert,

Welcome to Microsoft Community and thank you for your interest in Windows 10.

I suggest you to follow the below methods and check fi t helps.

Method 1: I suggest you to use the Home group troubleshooter to fix the issue.

Follow these steps and run the troubleshooter:

• Press Windows key to get the Start menu.
• Type Troubleshooting in the search box right up corner and hit enter.
• Click on Troubleshooting tab.
• Click on view all option on the upper left corner.
• Select the Home group options from the list.
• Click Next to run the Home group Troubleshooter.

Method 2: Also I suggest you to use the shared folders troubleshooter to fix the issue.

• Press Windows key to get the Start menu.
• Type Troubleshooting in the search box right up corner and hit enter.
• Click on Troubleshooting tab.
• Click on view all option on the upper left corner.
• Select the shared folders options from the list.
  
• Click Next to run the shared folders Troubleshooter.

Hope this information was helpful and do let us know if you need further assistance. We will be glad to assist.