Windows 10: Why can't I share files on my LAN?

I have 2 laptops running Windows 10 and a PC running Windows XP on my LAN. I am an administrator and the "owner" of all the files on each machine and, as far as I can tell, all files are shared with "full control". I originally had a workgroup on the Windows XP machine and a Windows XP laptop. When I replaced the laptop with a Windows 10 machine and got a 2nd Windows 10 laptop, I added both laptops to the XP workgroup.

Since then the situation is as follows.

At startup:

On the XP machine, I can see the Document folders both Windows 10 machines, although it sometimes takes several minutes to show them, and I can write to them.

After a few minutes, however, I can no longer access them unless I restart the machines. I can't see the workgroup computers. it says:

"The "workgroup" is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. The service has not been started."

On Windows 10 machine A, neither of the other machines are visible.

On Windows 10 machine B, both of the other machines are visible but I can't connect to them.

I know windows networking is notoriously poor but it should be better than this.

:)

 

Good LAN party games?

Most of my suggestions have already been listed.

However, I found Swat4 to actually be a pretty fun LAN game, especially at smaller LAN parties.

 

Sharing folders over network - access denied

Hello,

To troubleshoot your concern with sharing files over the network using your Windows 10 device, we suggest that you run the Shared folders troubleshooter and check if it helps. Kindly refer to the steps below:

• Type in Troubleshooting in the search box and press
  Enter.
• Click View all.
• Click Shared Folders.
• Click Next and follow on-screen instructions.

Hope it helps.

 

File Sharing

Hi Dwayne,

The ability to share files within your homegroup can be set based on your preference in the HomeGroup settings. For us to identify if the file sharing issue is caused by the update or an option not being retained in the HomeGroup setting, we'd like to ask
for additional details. Please answer the following:

• Aside from installing an update, have you also made any recent changes to the HomeGroup settings?
• What specific update have you installed before the file sharing stopped working? To check the Update history, follow these steps:

• On the Search bar, type Settings.
• Open the Settings app from the search result.
• Click Update & security and check the Windows Update section.
• Click the Update history link.

• Have you already checked if the file and printer sharing is enabled in the
  Advanced sharing settings in the Control Panel?
• What build and version of Windows 10 are you using?
• What troubleshooting steps have you tried based on the threads that you've read?

For initial troubleshooting, you can run the built-in troubleshooter for HomeGroup by following the steps below:

• On the Search bar, type Troubleshoot.
• Open the Control Panel from the search result.
• Click View all and locate HomeGroup.
• Click HomeGroup and follow the on-screen guide to run the troubleshooter.
  

We hope to hear from you soon.