Windows 10 - Can't Find Other Computers on Your Local Network? The 2019 Fix

[@flieger701]

Thank you for this! My network went bust after the 1803 update (thank you, Microsoft, you bastard!). Followed your steps and now my 2 desktops and 2 laptops are all seeing each other once again!

[@Oldguygeek]

In their defense, they had to tighten up security. Homegroup became too vulnerable. They couldn't just adjust everyone's setting to allow it, so they went the more secure route. But glad you got yours fixed. Enjoy!

[@rynovandermerwe9207]

Awesome! This time it worked, thank you so much Mister. This was the most helpful video that I have seen.

[@Oldguygeek]

Glad to be of help. Enjoy!

[@rynovandermerwe9207]

Thanks :)

[@JanZakariaie]

Thank you for your great share. Today Windows installed a full upgrade. Why is it that every time Windows installs an update I lose my Network settings?

[@Oldguygeek]

Sorry, I missed your comment. I think it's because if there are networking changes in the upgrade, they take the safe route and restore standard settings. If they didn't and something happened, they would get SO MUCH heat for it.

[@wavd-music]

hi good Old Guy Geek, I do have same problem as Jake and Midge : my network connection pc2pc stopped working yesterday. I have 2 WindowsHomeVersion-1903 pc's running, which don't see each other anymore in the home network, while both of them do see and connect perfectly with other devices on the local network. I don't have the SMB-Direct option, but I guess this feature is not required for connection between 2 identical updated Windows systems? Just discovered when I type in \\ in the Explorer and the name of the other computer, this is succesful, but only in one direction, strange because both pc's have identical settings as far as I know.

[@Oldguygeek]

Just for grins, check to see if UPnP Device Host service is running. If not, set it to automatic. Let me know if this helps.

[@wavd-music]

@@Oldguygeek > "UPnP Device Host" service was running but in "Delayed Automatic" setting, so I stopped it, then set it to "Automatic" and restarted the service. I did the same with "UPnP Device Host" service and after that everything was back to normal and confirmed that everything was operating properly after rebooting all systems. THANKS A LOT FOR YOUR SUPPORT ! ! /// can I find a donation button somewhere ?

[@Oldguygeek]

Great news! I'll update the video's description again. No donation needed but the next time you're buying something on Amazon, use this link: www.amazon.com/shop/oldguygeekonwindows I'll get a few pennies and it won't cost you a cent.

[@mcadutub]

Thanks for the instruction. Turn on SMB 1.0 resolve my issue which I can now see android media player on my private network. However, I have to disable and enable it every time I want to see movies on my PC. Is there a more permanent way as the above warning instructs to turn this feature off?

[@Oldguygeek]

Try to create some shortcuts directly to the shares on that PC. They should still work even if you can't see the system in the Network.

[@Oldguygeek]

Sorry, I misread your comment. Have you tried to mirror your Android to your computer using Smart View? Depending on your system specs, just open Smart View. It will find your PC and you can stream that way.

[@mcadutub]

Unfortunately, my Android media player is a set top box so there is no smart view. Anyway, thanks for the suggestion.

[@froggyfrogboy911]

Finally a solution dat actually works!!! I owe u a beer or smoothie. Thnx so much, this was drivin me crazy. I have those 2 services auto delayed like your previous video, should they be switched to auto instead? If so, what's the difference? Thanks again!!

[@Oldguygeek]

They changed a couple of things in the last release. Glad to hear you got it working

[@light487]

Why has been made so tediously difficult. Back in the good old days, there was no configuration really needed.. if it was on the network, you could see it.. Now it seems like I have to spend an hour wading through menus and settings just to share a single file between computers. I usually give up and find a USB thumb drive. I will try all this next time.

[@Oldguygeek]

Actually this video is a repeat of an earlier video. It's been this way for years. It's difficult because after major upgrades that involve sharing across computers, they take the safe road and turn stuff off. That way you have to reenable it yourself. Otherwise system might accidentally share stuff. Nobody wants that.

[@light487]

@@Oldguygeek yeh, I mean way back with windows 7 and earlier.

[@Oldguygeek]

That's what I meant. They got rid of HomeGroup because it was too insecure.

[@graemea4552]

Thanks for the information. I am running the latest version of Windows 10 home - 1909, OS build 18363.693. You mention that I should uncheck SMB 1.0 and turn on SMB Direct. I do not have SMB Direct in the list. How/where do I get it?

[@Oldguygeek]

Yep, they've removed it in later versions. Try using the 'Install Windows Features' to add it in. But don't forget to turn it off after.

[@graemea4552]

Thank you for your quick response. What do MS think I should use? Can't find 'Install Windows Features' - any hints?

[@Oldguygeek]

@@graemea4552 Sorry. Go into the Control Panel then select Programs. You should see the link for installing Windows features.

[@graemea4552]

I go into control panel then programs and features. The only link is 'Turn windows features on or off'. The list I then get does NOT include SMB Direct. I have a screen print but I'm not too sure how to insert it here.

[@BartGoem]

Thanks for all the help and the great video. I have 2 PC's with W10 same setting, SMB 1 is activated on both and in the services I did everything you stated in the video. The 1 PC (laptop) shows an Android movie server. The other (with the same settings) doesn't. I can ping the movie server on both my pc's but the one PC doesn't show the Android Device. What could be wrong? Txs and have a great day!

[@Oldguygeek]

I understand your frustration. This problem kept changing over time. I published yet another video on this. See if it helps: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2a9qaCNjL2akKM

[@BartGoem]

@@Oldguygeek Txs a million, I will take a look at it!

[@mignon9230]

Hi i have a problem in a LAN network. I have a modem that my ISP provide, on this modem i have connected a router and a PC, all with ethernet cable. And on the router i have connected another PC. My problem is i can't find any of the PC in this network. Is like there ir some problem beetween the modem and the router. Please help :(

[@Oldguygeek]

As long as both PCs are on the same router, you shouldn't have any problem. If both are Windows 10, this solution should work fine. Try checking your sharing settings on each PC to make sure that they are setup to share on your local private network.

[@lindacritcher9497]

I still can’t see or access printer and shared files from Windows XP wired computer. Also I can see laptop but need credentials to access. What credentials? Weird!

[@Oldguygeek]

Windows XP uses different sharing tech. Check out SMB. But BEWARE. It's no longer supported because it's not secure. I'm sure you know that your XP system is well out of date and has tons of security holes.

[@JanZakariaie]

Thank you. This worked grate. Now I have 2 other problems. 1) even tough, file & printer sharing is on, I can not use the printers connected to the network with a USB on the other computer. 2) When I click on the network computer icon Windows asks me for my User name & password. I never set these up? How do I set up the User names & passwords?

[@Oldguygeek]

Are they wifi printers or only USB. If USB you still have to setup print sharing on the PC they're connected to and it has to be on to use the printers. If they have wifi, after setup, disconnect the USB and they should connect to the network with their own IP address. But also, if they are old USB printers and they are not hi-resolution, you might want to think about just buying a new one. You can get a new HP for less than $80 USD.

[@waheedmalik67]

These changes need to be made on all the computers on the network? I just want the server to show up on the laptop. On all the other computers the server shows up but this new lap does not. should I still make these changes on all the computers and server? Thank you.

[@Oldguygeek]

No, it depends on the other systems. Microsoft has published another update that fixes it for most but if the laptop doesn't see the server (and all the appropriate sharing and rights are set) then try this on the laptop first.

[@waheedmalik67]

@@Oldguygeek thank you . I'll give it a try

[@newdawnrn45]

I was beating my head against the wall. thank you

[@Oldguygeek]

Well, I beat my head against the wall a bit too. Glad to be of help.

[@jasonesty3880]

Finally fixed my issue! Thank you!

[@Oldguygeek]

Excellent! Glad to be of help!

[@nabormartinez3266]

I seem to have a different issue. One of my PCs is on Network and the other is on Network2. The one on Network can see the other but the other one can't see it. How can I fix that?

[@Oldguygeek]

That may be something you may have to resolve with your router. It depends on how the 2 networks are setup. Or it may be Windows firewall settings are different on the systems.

[@nabormartinez3266]

@@Oldguygeek I was just thinking that because I noticed that I can see my router on the Network one but not on the Network2. Any Suggestions?

[@nabormartinez3266]

Well I logged in to my router and really didn't change anything and the other PC popped up so I'm good now :)

[@Oldguygeek]

Great! Maybe the router refreshed or something.

[@bajadentistrysocialmediaco8355]

ok what if SMB direct doesn't show up?

[@Oldguygeek]

Depending on your version of Windows, SMB Direct may not apply. If you don't have it, the other settings should work.

[@bajadentistrysocialmediaco8355]

@@Oldguygeek I did try the other settings and it did allow me to see the other compurs missing on the network. now if only the network server would stop asking me for credentials that were never configured

[@Oldguygeek]

Ah. Network servers usually safeguard files in the same way. Network shares are setup by an Admin who grants access to the various users. Now, if this is your server and you set it up then you're probably right in wondering why it's asking. What software is the server running?

[@bajadentistrysocialmediaco8355]

@@Oldguygeek That is a good question, it's actually the server at my job. They just got the server back from the technician, no one else has to give credentials but all other computers (including the server PC) run on Windows 7 while I am on windows 10.

[@Oldguygeek]

Well, show the technician this video. He may have to do something at his end.

[@jakeandmidge]

My network stopped working recently.. I have version 1903... I don't have the SMB Direct option... I have been trying to get mine back working for hours with no luck... my wifi printer was working and now it's not communicating either... I'm stuck... someone tried to tell me my problem was Norton Security, but I've been using it for years with no issues...

[@Oldguygeek]

The reason you don't have the SMB direct is because of changes in 1903. If you have followed these instructions, try rebooting your systems and the router.

[@jakeandmidge]

@@Oldguygeek Hi, thanks for reply... but still not working... I made the changes on both computers and rebooted them, and unplugged the route and waited 30 seconds and plugged back in... Still cannot see the other computer... I have worked on this for over 8 hours with no luck... Geeks Squad worked on it for two hours and no luck.. they say it is Norton Security causing the problem.. but I've used Norton for years without any issues... and this was working and suddenly the network was no longer working... it happened sometime this month ..

[@Oldguygeek]

Go to each computer's Settings app and type in 'Troubleshoot' in the search box. Go to the Troubleshooting page and run the 'Shared Folders' troubleshooter. If that doesn't help, run the 'Network Adapter' one.

[@jakeandmidge]

@@Oldguygeek ran on both computers.. no luck... this computer can't see the other one at all... says it can't be found... .. the other computer can't see this one... I'm totally stumped on this one...

[@Oldguygeek]

Because you already had the Geek Squad out, this may be a stupid suggestion. Go to your network sharing and make sure you have password sharing turned on for your private network. Open the old Control Panel, click on Network and Internet, then Network and Internet. You should see your public and private networks. Make sure both computers are connected through the same private network. In the left panel, click on Changed advanced sharing settings. Check the private network to make sure Network Discovery is on and File and Printer sharing is on. You should be able to see each computer. Also, under All Networks, make sure that Password protected sharing is turned on so you can setup and sharing certain directories using Usernames/Passwords.

[@tek_soup]

I would add, go into this pc/my computer and select computer tab, then add network location. it has always worked for me, better than going into the network folder.

[@Oldguygeek]

But that launches the network location wizard, which would confuse some people. I always try to show people the least confusing methods. Advanced users, like yourself don't really need the help getting to the right screen.

[@SixelAlexiS90]

@Old Guy Geek on Windows ok I've found the solution (W10 Pro). Is actually the "SMB Direct" the one to disable, then you have to enable the first two in the "SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support". You don't even need to change the services options at all, leave them to Manual and just do what I described above on the interested PCs and you will be ok (you don't even need to put the password on ON). This is how it works on the Home version of W10 with no issues, it's a bug of W10 Pro and with those settings the network will work as always :)

[@Oldguygeek]

I just saw this post down here. Yes, I did mention you have to place with that setting depending on what other systems you have. Some settings affect older Windows versions, some affect the availability of network storage devices. The SMB 1.0 is for some of those. But there are people out there that don't need that setting changed.

[@endboss4448]

I dont have the SMB direct folder

[@Oldguygeek]

Do you mean it doesn't show up in the Control Panel?

[@justifiedFaith209]

@@Oldguygeek I have the same problem. SMB direct doesn't show up in the control panel. W10 home.

[@Oldguygeek]

Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select Run as administrator. Type the following command to check if SMBv2 is enabled and press Enter: Get-SmbServerConfiguration | Select EnableSMB2Protocol If the output returns True, then SMBv2 is enabled. If the output is False, use this command to enable it and press Enter: Set-SmbServerConfiguration -EnableSMB2Protocol $

[@SixelAlexiS90]

I have W10 and still doesn't work... Can't see my pc or the other pc in the house.

[@Oldguygeek]

Make sure you have completed it on all systems and rebooted.

[@h4swell]

same problem here

[@benvancil1483]

I wish you were my grandfather.... mine passed away afew years ago

[@Oldguygeek]

Thanks, but sorry to hear that. I hope you got this fixed.