Canary build -- Networking aggroes in File explorer

Hi there
Why is every windows update fraught with uncertainty over what should be simple - home networking using Windows explorer to map / connect to Network drives. Running Canary build Win 11 Pro edition.

File explorer fails to see ANY computers unless the ip address is typed in -- (all the usual stuff done -- enable sharing, SMB1 installed etc).

filezilla has no problems using computer name. So is there some settpng or alternative to using computer name via netbios name in file explorer. if so what is it.




If the IP address is entered then it works - as does ping - what a load of Horse shyte this stuff is.



ping :



cheers
jimbo

jimbo45 said:

Why is every windows update fraught with uncertainty over what should be simple - home networking using Windows explorer to map / connect to Network drives. Running Canary build Win 11 Pro edition.

File explorer fails to see ANY computers unless the ip address is typed in -- (all the usual stuff done -- enable sharing, SMB1 installed etc).

Click to expand...

Hyper-V? If so, what network switch are you using? With the default switch you should see nothing but the host machine. I have another virtual switch, and with that my Canary build can see everything on my network.

Bree said:

Hyper-V? If so, what network switch are you using? With the default switch you should see nothing but the host machine. I have another virtual switch, and with that my Canary build can see everything on my network.

View attachment 77030

Click to expand...

@Bree

Running under KVM/QEMU on a Linux host -- every other app I run works just fine -- it's wretched file explorer that can't map any network shared drive without providing an IP address.

Even HediSQL has no problem determining and connecting to a remote computer on a home LAN. Host also can see all the windows machines

HEDISQL setup screen ----OK



EXCEL get data via msquery ---OK





Hedisql connection --OK





My analysis of this is it must be something in file explorer that's broken.

!!. Same problem doesn't exist in latest DEV or BETA build. I'm sure it must be something to do with Netbios or some sort of "SMB encryption" in the latest Canary edition.

file explorer ---NOK.




Cheers
jimbo

jimbo45 said:

I'm sure it must be something to do with Netbios or some sort of "SMB encryption" in the latest Canary edition.

Click to expand...

It's not the latest any more....

Have you tried adjusting the Ethernet properties on the machine to explicitly use NetBIOS over TCP/IP (if that is available, I don't know what type of machine \\wulf actually is)?

MS ruined networking a long while back and refuses to fix it.. I have been working with computer forever. The info posted above is about the best way to share... nothing we can do to bring back better days. IMHO

Well, they're attempting to fix it. apparently....

What’s new in Build 25992​

SMB Changes​

SMB firewall rule changes:

SMB NTLM blocking exception list:

SMB alternative client and server ports:

SMB over QUIC client access control certificate changes:

Click to expand...

A lot of SMB related stuff in today's build - which, it seems, may be in fact temporarily pulled?

Servers seemed to have had a hiccup for a couple of hours, but my VMs started pulling 25992 again.

johnlgalt said:

Servers seemed to have had a hiccup for a couple of hours, but my VMs started pulling 25992 again.

View attachment 77107

Click to expand...

I still have the same problem -- shows no computers at all in File explorer unless you supply an IP address.

e.g

Now supply IP address




I'm 100% sure it's not the Linux Host problem -- 1000's of big companies use KVM/QEMU for running large virtual infrastructure etc -- if this had been a problem there would have been stuff all over the web. The facr that DEV and BETA builds function without problem means that the SMB changes (or other stuff) in Canary have broken file explorer on some virtualisation platforms. The strange thing is that it works on HYPER-V with a std Windows HOST. I feel like trying this on the Canary release itself with HYPER-V running another canary build release. It's just possible that enabling Hyper-V unlocks / modifies some of the SMB stuff when providing for HOST<> GUEST communication . Might be a bonkers idea but who knows -- something obviously isn't working. I've also tried on another Linux Host running MINT - same problem.

I have neither the time nor skill to try and fix this - it surely seems to me that since home networking is such a mainstream activity these days that before making major changes to SMB Ms should have really indicated to users what they need to be prepared to do so home networks - especially when lot are connected to legacy devices continue to function.

Not having file explorer being able to map computers etc is a major show stopper for the typical user who visits my place with their (usually) Windows laptops.

It's also bonkers that on an older DEV build you get a message "This version is about to expire soon" - but when you try and update you just get message "You are on the latest update for this device" - even if you are in the insider program and have enabled update to latest release as soon as possible.

This whole insider thing is just becoming rediculous ow.


Cheers
jimbo

jimbo45 said:

I'm 100% sure it's not the Linux Host problem -- 1000's of big companies use KVM/QEMU for running large virtual infrastructure etc -- if this had been a problem there would have been stuff all over the web.

Click to expand...

While I believe you that it is not QEMU, because Windows really hates doing things it doesn't like doing, that statement above is completely irrelevant.

Unless you can show me that you're using an exact setup of machines, VMs, networking equipment and infrastructure, as they are and it does not work, it doesn't matter. You have the issue. Others don't. And it's a Canary build (alpha-level idiosyncrasies). I seriously doubt even one of those 1000s of companies is running a Canary build of Windows 11 in any sort of production status anywhere.

Keep comparing apples to apples, please.

jimbo45 said:

Not having file explorer being able to map computers etc is a major show stopper for the typical user who visits my place with their (usually) Windows laptops.

Click to expand...

You're using this as a production level software, even if for personal use, with other people involved?

And you have the gall to complain about it when it is several months removed from being stable?

I'm curious - as a good Insider Preview user, how many Feedback reports have you filed about these issues?

Bree said:

Hyper-V? If so, what network switch are you using? With the default switch you should see nothing but the host machine. I have another virtual switch, and with that my Canary build can see everything on my network.

View attachment 77030

Click to expand...

Thanks @Bree for indirectly answering my question on why my host Beta and the Canary under Hyper-V on the Beta host cannot see each other wen browsing. What you said fixed it, and glad to learn something new!

It's always something lol - I didn't think to mention it but yeah, I had to create my own VSwitch, as the default one created by Hyper-V is bottom of the barrel type performance.

I'm pretty sure Bree (or, more likely Kari) convinced me to go with a manually created VSwitch, and I've never looked back since.

johnlgalt said:

I'm pretty sure Bree (or, more likely Kari) convinced me to go with a manually created VSwitch, and I've never looked back since.

Click to expand...

Kari is the Master, almost all I know about Hyper-V I learned from him.

100% agreed. I can't ever express my thanks to @Brink and @z3r010 for all the Windows-related DMG sites - between the forums in general, the superlative tutorials, and Kari and all of his contributions, plus tons and tons and tons of folks like you helping folks out, not only are these forums top notch, but the depth of knowledge is staggering.

johnlgalt said:

It's always something lol - I didn't think to mention it but yeah, I had to create my own VSwitch, as the default one created by Hyper-V is bottom of the barrel type performance.

I'm pretty sure Bree (or, more likely Kari) convinced me to go with a manually created VSwitch, and I've never looked back since.

Click to expand...

I'll have to see how long the next Canary build takes with my own Vswitch since when I updated Canary yesterday, it was still using the default vSwitch and while it wasn't as slow as it was with previous builds, it still took 45 minutes or more.

Windows 11 Canary Build 25992 is Out With SMB Changes

You gotta love it when Microsoft claims they "fixed" something.

Got a chance to finally see how a manually created vswitch worked on the Canary build update on the Hyper-V running on Beta, it was like a niight and day difference as it was fast. So thanks @jimbo45 for creating this thread and then @Bree for mentioning the manual virtual switch even though Kari may have have been the master but @Bree, you were the one who mentioned it which is what mattered and @johnlgalt as usual for confirming the default vswitch was slow.