Cannot See Other Computers on the Network in Windows 11

Cannot See Other Computers on the Network in Windows 11

You open Network in File Explorer to grab a file from another PC in the house or office - and it's empty, or shows only your router and the TV. This is one of the most common home-network annoyances, and it's almost always a setting rather than a fault. Work through the steps below in order on both computers.

Step 1: Set the Network to Private

Windows hides your PC from others, and stops looking for them, on Public networks. This is the most common cause.

1. Open Settings > Network & internet.
2. Select Wi-Fi (then your network's properties) or Ethernet, depending on how you're connected.
3. Under Network profile type, choose Private network.

Only do this on networks you trust, such as your home or office. Leave cafe, hotel and airport Wi-Fi on Public.

Step 2: Turn On Network Discovery and File Sharing

1. Open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings. (You can also search Start for Manage advanced sharing settings.)
2. Expand Private networks.
3. Turn on Network discovery, and tick Set up network connected devices automatically if you see it.
4. Turn on File and printer sharing.

Shortcut: in File Explorer's Network page, a yellow bar saying Network discovery is turned off may appear. Select it and choose Turn on network discovery and file sharing.

Step 3: Make Sure the Discovery Services Are Running

Network discovery relies on a few Windows services. Microsoft lists these:

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc and press Enter.
2. For each of the following, double-click it, set Startup type to Automatic, select Start if it is stopped, then OK:
3. Function Discovery Provider Host
4. Function Discovery Resource Publication
5. SSDP Discovery
6. UPnP Device Host
7. Restart the PC.

Function Discovery Resource Publication is the one that lets other computers see this PC, so check it on the PC that's missing from the list.

Step 4: Open the Other PC by Name or Address

The Network list can be slow or incomplete even when sharing works. Try going straight to the other computer:

1. Find its name on that PC in Settings > System > About (Device name).
2. On your PC, type \\ followed by that name in File Explorer's address bar - for example \\LIVINGROOM-PC - and press Enter.
3. If the name doesn't work, use its IP address instead, such as \\192.168.1.25. On the other PC, run ipconfig in Command Prompt and look for IPv4 Address.

If this opens the shared folders, sharing is working - only the automatic list is lagging. You can make it permanent with a drive letter: see how to map a network drive in Windows 11.

Step 5: Check Something Is Actually Shared

Seeing a PC in the list doesn't mean it shares anything. On the PC with the files:

1. Right-click the folder and select Properties > Sharing > Share (or Give access to > Specific people on the right-click menu).
2. Choose who can open it and whether they can change files.
3. To check what this PC shares, type \\localhost in File Explorer's address bar.

Step 6: Passwords and Accounts

When you open the other PC, Windows asks for a user name and password that exists on the PC you're connecting to, not on yours.

• Use that PC's account name and password (for a Microsoft account, the email and password).
• A PIN won't work here; you need the actual password.
• If an old, wrong password was saved, open Credential Manager > Windows Credentials on your PC, remove the entry for that computer, and try again.

Microsoft's own guide also suggests turning off Password protected sharing (Advanced sharing settings > All networks). That lets anyone on the network open the shares without signing in - only consider it on a small, trusted home network, and turn it back on afterwards.

Still Not Working?

• Firewall or security app: third-party antivirus suites with their own firewall can block file sharing. Check that app's network or "trusted network" settings. Don't switch the firewall off; allow sharing instead.
• Different networks: a PC on guest Wi-Fi, a VPN, or a mesh "isolation" mode can't see the others. Disconnect the VPN and use the main network.
• Old NAS or Windows XP-era device: these may need SMB 1.0, which Windows leaves off because it is insecure. Update the device's firmware rather than enabling it.
• Restart the router: if several devices suddenly vanished at once, restarting it is a quick test.

If you only need to move files once - for example to a new laptop - sharing may not be the easiest route; see how to transfer files from an old PC to a new PC.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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See Also:windows 11 network file sharing