Solved Can \\ into network computer but not showing up in explorer\network


I gave up on fixing seeing network computers in File Explorer a long time ago. Instead, I use network shortcuts. This always works!

For example the shortcut to computer DarkMatter is \\DarkMatter.

nc1.webp

To keep up with these I have a folder on my desktop called My Network. In this folder I have the network computer shortcuts. Once I create this folder with the shortcuts I copy it onto the desktop of every other computer.

nc2.webp
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.6901)AMD Ryzen 7 6800H with Radeon 680M GPU (486MB...Crucial DDR5-4800 (2400MHz) 32GB (2 x 16GB)NVIDIA RTX 3060 Laptop (6GB RAM)
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.6901)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS TUF Gaming A15 (2022)
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800H with Radeon 680M GPU (486MB RAM)
    Memory
    Crucial DDR5-4800 (2400MHz) 32GB (2 x 16GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA RTX 3060 Laptop (6GB RAM)
    Sound Card
    n/a
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6-inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 300Hz
    Hard Drives
    2 x Samsung 990 Evo Plus (2TB M.2 NVME SSD)
    PSU
    n/a
    Mouse
    Wireless Mouse M510
    Internet Speed
    2100Mbps/300Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.8246)AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3DG.SKILL Flare X 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4ASUS ROG-STRIX-RTX3060TI-08G-V2-GAMING (RTX 3...
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.8246)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom build
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II
    Memory
    G.SKILL Flare X 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-RTX3060TI-08G-V2-GAMING (RTX 3060-Ti, 8GB RAM)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung G50D IPS 27"
    Screen Resolution
    1440p/180Hz
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG 990 EVO Plus (2TB] M.2 NVME SSD
    SAMSUNG 990 EVO Plus (4TB) M.2 NVME SSD
    PSU
    Corsair RM750x (750 watts)
    Case
    Cooler Master MasterCase 5
    Cooling
    Scythe Mugen 6
    Keyboard
    Logitech K520 (MK540 keyboard/mouse combo)
    Mouse
    Logitech M310 (MK540 keyboard/mouse combo)
    Internet Speed
    2100 Mbps down / 300 Mbps up
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes (Premium)
    Other Info
    ASUS Blu-ray Burner BW-16D1HT (SATA) || Western Digital Easystore 20TB USB 3.0 external hard drive used with Acronis True Image 2025 backup software || HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 Printer/Scanner
Not even using shortcuts instead?
e.g.
\\COMPUTER1
\\COMPUTER1\SHAREDFOLDER1


Denis
That's the only approach that always works for me.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 2H25AMD 9900X64 GBAMD 9070 XT
OS
Windows 11 2H25
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
DIY
CPU
AMD 9900X
Motherboard
MSI X870E Carbon
Memory
64 GB
Graphics Card(s)
AMD 9070 XT
Sound Card
built-in
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell 24"
Hard Drives
Sabrent 1 TB NVMe, 4 x SSD (need to check models), 4 x 3.5" HDD, 8-16 TB, all WD
PSU
Seasonic 850
Case
Fractal Design North XL (which I likw)
Cooling
Corsair AIO for CPU, fans for case
Keyboard
Das Keyboard 4
Mouse
Corsair M65 (white)
Internet Speed
1 TB download
Browser
Firefox
Antivirus
Bitdefender
Other Info
Also have Lenovo T14S laptop (me) and Lenovo Slim 71 (wife)
Not even using shortcuts instead?
e.g.
\\COMPUTER1
\\COMPUTER1\SHAREDFOLDER1


Denis
Yes \\computer_name\Works_for_me
But I want things to work like they should and Microsoft hosed it all up with their so called security update....
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro 23H2Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-12900HK32gbIntel(R) Iris(R) Xe Graphics
OS
Windows 11 Pro 23H2
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
MinisForum
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-12900HK
Memory
32gb
Graphics Card(s)
Intel(R) Iris(R) Xe Graphics
Sound Card
Realtek 888
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
1TB SSD
Keyboard
Logitech
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 2X
Internet Speed
1GB
Browser
Firefox
Antivirus
Windows Defender
you should try keeping macOS and Win11 network discovery working properly with all of the updates in the last 2 years lol. gets more and more fun every few months
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro
OS
Windows 11 Pro
But I want things to work like they should and Microsoft hosed it all up with their so called security update....
Yes don't we all. :rolleyes: But that's not what we have with recent editions of windows. "Should" is a word that will cause much frustration with Windows.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 2H25AMD 9900X64 GBAMD 9070 XT
OS
Windows 11 2H25
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
DIY
CPU
AMD 9900X
Motherboard
MSI X870E Carbon
Memory
64 GB
Graphics Card(s)
AMD 9070 XT
Sound Card
built-in
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell 24"
Hard Drives
Sabrent 1 TB NVMe, 4 x SSD (need to check models), 4 x 3.5" HDD, 8-16 TB, all WD
PSU
Seasonic 850
Case
Fractal Design North XL (which I likw)
Cooling
Corsair AIO for CPU, fans for case
Keyboard
Das Keyboard 4
Mouse
Corsair M65 (white)
Internet Speed
1 TB download
Browser
Firefox
Antivirus
Bitdefender
Other Info
Also have Lenovo T14S laptop (me) and Lenovo Slim 71 (wife)
So all this time and from 24H to 25H and soon 26H and no fix. It has something to do with FDResPub not refreshing as it should. As soon as you force a restart the missing PC that you are using magically appears in network explorer! WTH don't they fix it!
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro 23H2Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-12900HK32gbIntel(R) Iris(R) Xe Graphics
OS
Windows 11 Pro 23H2
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
MinisForum
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-12900HK
Memory
32gb
Graphics Card(s)
Intel(R) Iris(R) Xe Graphics
Sound Card
Realtek 888
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
1TB SSD
Keyboard
Logitech
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 2X
Internet Speed
1GB
Browser
Firefox
Antivirus
Windows Defender
So all this time and from 24H to 25H and soon 26H and no fix
It's a chronic Explorer fault. It's been around for at least six years.
After so long, I really don't expect it to ever be fixed.

24H???
It started with Windows 10 Version 1803.


Denis
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Home x64 Version 26H2 Build 26300....
OS
Windows 11 Home x64 Version 26H2 Build 26300.9457

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro 23H2Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-12900HK32gbIntel(R) Iris(R) Xe Graphics
OS
Windows 11 Pro 23H2
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
MinisForum
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-12900HK
Memory
32gb
Graphics Card(s)
Intel(R) Iris(R) Xe Graphics
Sound Card
Realtek 888
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
1TB SSD
Keyboard
Logitech
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 2X
Internet Speed
1GB
Browser
Firefox
Antivirus
Windows Defender
It has something to do with FDResPub not refreshing as it should
Do this on all systems in network..

add "LanmanWorkstation" as an additional startup dependency for the "Function Discovery Resource Publication" (FDResPub) service, which seems to do the trick. To do this, you simply open an elevated command prompt (i.e. use the "run as administrator" right-click context menu option to start cmd.exe), then execute the following command:
sc config fdrespub depend= RpcSs/http/fdphost/LanmanWorkstation


Reboot each device after executing this command, and the devices should see each other more reliably in Network and File Manager.

reference
a fix for Function Discovery Resource Publication. (FDResPub service) - Microsoft Q&A
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 26H2 26300.9457i9-10900 10 core 20 threads32 gbnone-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 26H2 26300.9457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.9457AMD Ryzen 7 6800U32 gbintegrated
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.9457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
  • System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.9457
Do this on all systems in network..

add "LanmanWorkstation" as an additional startup dependency for the "Function Discovery Resource Publication" (FDResPub) service, which seems to do the trick. To do this, you simply open an elevated command prompt (i.e. use the "run as administrator" right-click context menu option to start cmd.exe), then execute the following command:
sc config fdrespub depend= RpcSs/http/fdphost/LanmanWorkstation


Reboot each device after executing this command, and the devices should see each other more reliably in Network and File Manager.

reference
a fix for Function Discovery Resource Publication. (FDResPub service) - Microsoft Q&A
Well I tried it rebooted and still I don't see the PC I am using in network explorer. As soon as I restarted FDResPub, after a reboot, it shows for a short period of time like it always has.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro 23H2Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-12900HK32gbIntel(R) Iris(R) Xe Graphics
OS
Windows 11 Pro 23H2
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
MinisForum
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-12900HK
Memory
32gb
Graphics Card(s)
Intel(R) Iris(R) Xe Graphics
Sound Card
Realtek 888
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
1TB SSD
Keyboard
Logitech
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 2X
Internet Speed
1GB
Browser
Firefox
Antivirus
Windows Defender
Well I tried it rebooted and still I don't see the PC I am using in network explorer. As soon as I restarted FDResPub, after a reboot, it shows for a short period of time like it always has.
I am not surprised. If it was that easy Microsoft would have fixed it a long time ago.

That is why I use shortcuts to network computers. They always work. Note there is no need creating shortcuts to individual shared folders. That is redundant.

I think someone may have made a comment that shortcuts aren't needed. It was said that all was needed was the path. That is OK if you only have one other computer. However, if you have several other computers in your network like I have then shortcuts are a real time saver.

BTW, I also find useful a shortcut to the computer I am using. Using that I am able to access the shared folders on it. That way I don't have to memorize what they are.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.6901)AMD Ryzen 7 6800H with Radeon 680M GPU (486MB...Crucial DDR5-4800 (2400MHz) 32GB (2 x 16GB)NVIDIA RTX 3060 Laptop (6GB RAM)
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.6901)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS TUF Gaming A15 (2022)
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800H with Radeon 680M GPU (486MB RAM)
    Memory
    Crucial DDR5-4800 (2400MHz) 32GB (2 x 16GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA RTX 3060 Laptop (6GB RAM)
    Sound Card
    n/a
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6-inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 300Hz
    Hard Drives
    2 x Samsung 990 Evo Plus (2TB M.2 NVME SSD)
    PSU
    n/a
    Mouse
    Wireless Mouse M510
    Internet Speed
    2100Mbps/300Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.8246)AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3DG.SKILL Flare X 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4ASUS ROG-STRIX-RTX3060TI-08G-V2-GAMING (RTX 3...
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.8246)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom build
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II
    Memory
    G.SKILL Flare X 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-RTX3060TI-08G-V2-GAMING (RTX 3060-Ti, 8GB RAM)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung G50D IPS 27"
    Screen Resolution
    1440p/180Hz
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG 990 EVO Plus (2TB] M.2 NVME SSD
    SAMSUNG 990 EVO Plus (4TB) M.2 NVME SSD
    PSU
    Corsair RM750x (750 watts)
    Case
    Cooler Master MasterCase 5
    Cooling
    Scythe Mugen 6
    Keyboard
    Logitech K520 (MK540 keyboard/mouse combo)
    Mouse
    Logitech M310 (MK540 keyboard/mouse combo)
    Internet Speed
    2100 Mbps down / 300 Mbps up
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes (Premium)
    Other Info
    ASUS Blu-ray Burner BW-16D1HT (SATA) || Western Digital Easystore 20TB USB 3.0 external hard drive used with Acronis True Image 2025 backup software || HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 Printer/Scanner
I am not surprised. If it was that easy Microsoft would have fixed it a long time ago.

That is why I use shortcuts to network computers. They always work. Note there is no need creating shortcuts to individual shared folders. That is redundant.

Yes, and yes.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 26H2 26300.9457Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 265 1.8GHz to 5.3GHz (Ar...SK Hynix 32GB DDR5 5600 Desktop RAM UDIMM Non...Dell NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4060 8GB GDDR6 & (i...
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 26H2 26300.9457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Tower Plus EBT2250, DOB: 06/15/2025
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 265 1.8GHz to 5.3GHz (Arrow Lake)
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc. 02D3NT A00 (U3E1)
    Memory
    SK Hynix 32GB DDR5 5600 Desktop RAM UDIMM Non-ECC PC5-5600B
    Graphics Card(s)
    Dell NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4060 8GB GDDR6 & (iGPU) Integrated Intel® UHD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Chipset Realtek High-Definition Audio with Dolby Atmos
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell Ultra Sharp U2515H 25-Inch Screen LED-Lit
    Screen Resolution
    2560 X 1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung (NVMe PM9C1a 1024GB) M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive (OS), with Samsung Piccolo (S4LY022) 6-Core 4 Channel Controller.

    Samsung T7 500GB SSD, USB-C External Drive
    PSU
    Dell 460W
    Case
    Dell Tower Plus EBT 2250
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell Wired Keyboard - KB216
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Intel Killer E3100G 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet Controller
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Security
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 26H2 26300.945710th Generation Intel Core i7-10510U Processo...16GB DDR4 RAMNVIDIA® GeForce® MX250 with 2GB GDDR5 graphic...
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 26H2 26300.9457
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15 7000 (7591) 2-in-1, DOB: 11/30/2019
    CPU
    10th Generation Intel Core i7-10510U Processor (8MB Cache, up to 4.9 GHz) Comet Lake
    Motherboard
    Dell 0NNW5N
    Memory
    16GB DDR4 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA® GeForce® MX250 with 2GB GDDR5 graphics memory
    Sound Card
    Chipset Realtek ALC3254
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 15.6-inch UHD Truelife Touch Narrow Border WVA Display with Active Pen support
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    Intel NVME 512GB SSD with 32GB Intel Optane Memory, M.2 80mm PCIe 3.0 RAID

    SanDisk 256GB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card
    PSU
    Dell 4-Cell Battery, 68 Whr (Integrated), 90 Watt AC Adapter
    Case
    Dell Inspiron 15 7000 2-in-1 (7591)
    Cooling
    Standard Dell Case Fan & Havit HV-F2056 USB Powered (3 Fans) Laptop Cooling Pad.
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless Mouse M650L
    Internet Speed
    Wireless/Wired connectivity (WiFi 6 - 802.11 ax)
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Security
I am not surprised. If it was that easy Microsoft would have fixed it a long time ago.

That is why I use shortcuts to network computers. They always work. Note there is no need creating shortcuts to individual shared folders. That is redundant.

I think someone may have made a comment that shortcuts aren't needed. It was said that all was needed was the path. That is OK if you only have one other computer. However, if you have several other computers in your network like I have then shortcuts are a real time saver.

BTW, I also find useful a shortcut to the computer I am using. Using that I am able to access the shared folders on it. That way I don't have to memorize what they are.
Yes I have done this as well. I've made shortcuts to the one I'm on and a couple others that don't show in Explorer and just added them to Quick Access.

I feel I've paid for a used car that turns out has a bad engine and the dealer won't honor the warranty. Maybe a class action lawsuit is needed.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro 23H2Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-12900HK32gbIntel(R) Iris(R) Xe Graphics
OS
Windows 11 Pro 23H2
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
MinisForum
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-12900HK
Memory
32gb
Graphics Card(s)
Intel(R) Iris(R) Xe Graphics
Sound Card
Realtek 888
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
1TB SSD
Keyboard
Logitech
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 2X
Internet Speed
1GB
Browser
Firefox
Antivirus
Windows Defender
I feel I've paid for a used car that turns out has a bad engine and the dealer won't honor the warranty. Maybe a class action lawsuit is needed.
In truth, you haven't bought the OS nor do you own it. Microsoft owns Windows. You only have a license to use it. It is all laid out in the "Windows end user license agreement" and you can bet it is iron clad.

Legally, MS can do anything to Windows they want to, whether users like it or not. No one is forced to use Windows as there are alternatives.

That said, I do agree that the bugs in networking have long been an issue. However, most users have found ways to work around the problem and do not get as bent out of shape as you seem to be about it. IMO, using shortcuts is the best solution. Using RDP is another, as is using a NAS or cloud storage.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 26H2 26300.9457i9-10900 10 core 20 threads32 gbnone-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 26H2 26300.9457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.9457AMD Ryzen 7 6800U32 gbintegrated
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.9457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
  • System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.9457
Just create a scheduled task to restart FDResPub every hour or whatever
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro
OS
Windows 11 Pro
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