four computers on same unmanaged switch can't copy files between them - GEEK squad couldn't fix after 3 hours of attempts

dmac486 · 2025-07-11T10:35:02-0400

original setup was three windows 10 machines with file and printer sharing working, all through ethernet cables to an unmanaged switch. everything was fine until I did the free upgrade to windows 11 on my main computer. My wife's laptop could no longer see the shared folders on my machine. Every search of internet or new suggestion from other more experienced users indicated that my settings SHOULD be correct and she SHOULD be able to see the folders and read/write to them. When I did the free upgrade to windows 11 on my basement computer, that machine also started having the same issues .. but the two windows 11 machines could read/write to each other but the windows 10 machine was blocked somehow. Her laptop CPU was not supported for windows 11 so I bought her a brand new laptop with windows 11 out of the box. Her new laptop will not allow either old/free upgrade windows 11 machines to read/write her "shared" public folders. I had the BestBuy GEEK squad tech come to "fix" it and after 3 hours he said he couldn't find the issue and refunded the service fee. I know this is post is long, but I don't know what to try next.

gunrunnerjohn · 2025-07-11T10:43:07-0400

Have you looked at this tutorial?

See Computers on Network in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to see the computers you want on your network in Windows 11. When computers on the same network and workgroup are discoverable, you can see them in File Explorer > Network. This allows you to share what you want among the devices connected to the network...

www.elevenforum.com

garlin · 2025-07-11T10:53:14-0400

W11 24H2 changed the default security settings for File Sharing, which wreaks havoc if you're in a mixed environment with older W10 PC's.

Open a CMD window on each W11 PC as Administrator and run:

Code:

powershell "Set-SmbClientConfiguration -RequireSecuritySignature $false -confirm:$false"

Restart the PC.

allan · 2025-07-11T10:57:55-0400

It's a little unclear to me if your computers cannot see one another or just can't access files on each other. If they cannot see each other, do the following:

Control Panel - Network & Sharing - Change Advanced Sharing Settings
Arrow Left (settings upper left) and do a Network Reset
After rebooting, log on to your wireless network (even if you are using Ethernet)
Then make sure you are set to PRIVATE NETWORK (not public) for Ethernet & WiFi

Do this on each machine.

The computers should now be able to see each other.

You MAY have to do this every time after Tuesday Windows Updates

glasskuter · 2025-07-11T11:01:00-0400

We've had this same question from folks working with mixed networks.. MS has never made it easy to share.
Try this.
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.
Make sure these services are set to automatic and running

DNS-Client – Server

Function Discovery Provider Host

Function Discovery Resource Publication

SSDP Discovery

UPNP Device Host

Windows Defender Firewall

Another method to try

Open File Explorer.
In the address bar, type the following: \\computername (replace "computername" with the name of the computer you're connecting to).
Press Enter.
Note: You can also use ip address in address bar
Whichever of these methods allows you to get into the other machine, create a shortcut to it on desktop, and pin that shortcut to quick access. You can then delete the shortcut from desktop.

If that doesn't work, report back and we can try something else.

antspants · 2025-07-11T12:05:52-0400

Just be careful before disabling security settings. At least only do so after properly assessing the possible risks.

garlin · 2025-07-11T12:14:50-0400

antspants said:
Just be careful before disabling security settings. At least only do so after properly assessing the possible risks.

If you're on a home network with a proper firewall on your ISP router, it's not an issue. The change reverts you to 23H2's previous security settings. Over time, Windows has constantly ramped up the File Sharing security like boiling a frog slowly.

gunrunnerjohn · 2025-07-11T12:16:27-0400

I had to use the \\computer_name until I got the full networking working. My last Windows 10 computer is my laptop, I'm looking for a replacement as that one is at least ten years old and the battery is dead again. I think it's time to replace it.

dmac486 · 2025-07-11T13:55:06-0400

gunrunnerjohn said:
Have you looked at this tutorial?

See Computers on Network in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to see the computers you want on your network in Windows 11. When computers on the same network and workgroup are discoverable, you can see them in File Explorer > Network. This allows you to share what you want among the devices connected to the network...

www.elevenforum.com

Thanks for the link to the tutorial .. it didn't help my problem but I learned a few things from the tutorial

antspants · 2025-07-11T20:28:31-0400

garlin said:
If you're on a home network with a proper firewall on your ISP router, it's not an issue. The change reverts you to 23H2's previous security settings. Over time, Windows has constantly ramped up the File Sharing security like boiling a frog slowly.

My understanding is that there are still risks if someone doesn’t understand the caveats and have ensured that:
They’re not exposing SMB ports (e.g. 445) to the internet via port forwarding or UPnP.
They’re only sharing files between trusted devices (e.g. their own PCs, media servers).
They have strong passwords on all local accounts.
Their router firewall blocks unsolicited inbound traffic (albeit usually default in routers).
They’re not running unknown or untrusted software on their LAN.
Guest devices (friends, smart TVs, etc.) are isolated, or they fully trust them.
And more…?

These days you could probably be compromised via a smart fridge, who knows. For those of us who don’t have a knack for networking (like me), it’s at least important to understand the possible risks regardless of how remote they may be?

dmac486 · 2025-07-12T11:00:56-0400

allan said:
It's a little unclear to me if your computers cannot see one another or just can't access files on each other. If they cannot see each other, do the following:

Control Panel - Network & Sharing - Change Advanced Sharing Settings
Arrow Left (settings upper left) and do a Network Reset
After rebooting, log on to your wireless network (even if you are using Ethernet)
Then make sure you are set to PRIVATE NETWORK (not public) for Ethernet & WiFi

Do this on each machine.

The computers should now be able to see each other.

You MAY have to do this every time after Tuesday Windows Updates

My main computer can see and access shared folders from the three other computers on the LAN only after I enter login credentials for each computer.

NONE of the other three computers can see my main computer in file manager and none of them can access any shared folders on my main computer.

I want the capability to click on a shortcut for a batch file and copy a short list of files from any computer to any other computer but this results in a "The network name cannot be found."

I will try a network reset on each machine and see what happens. Will I have to change all the settings for file sharing and discovery all over again?

dmac486 · 2025-07-12T11:03:16-0400

garlin said:
If you're on a home network with a proper firewall on your ISP router, it's not an issue. The change reverts you to 23H2's previous security settings. Over time, Windows has constantly ramped up the File Sharing security like boiling a frog slowly.

is Windows Defender Firewall "a proper firewall on my ISP router"??

garlin · 2025-07-12T11:20:47-0400

I was trying to explain my point to @antspants, 24H2 "breaks" file sharing because you were previously allowed to access file shares without a password.

Improved security is normally a good thing, but a rude surprise for those in a more relaxed, home network. Your ISP (Internet provider)'s router/modem blocks incoming network requests, except for traffic that is in direct response to your outbound traffic. So home network users don't really have to worry about relaxing file sharing security if you trust all your PC's (or home users).

If you have a laptop that roams outside of your workplace or home network, then relaxing security is not always a good idea.

Otherwise, changing the settings to what it was before 24H2 is not the worst thing for a home setup. I'm also not surprised Best Buy's Geek Squad has no clue either.

gunrunnerjohn · 2025-07-12T11:56:37-0400

garlin said:
Otherwise, changing the settings to what it was before 24H2 is not the worst thing for a home setup. I'm also not surprised Best Buy's Geek Squad has no clue either.

Geek Squad has been known not to be able to fix much simpler issues than that!

There have some folks that are fairly accomplished, but they hire a ton of people that really have no business attempting to supply computer support!

pseymour · 2025-07-12T12:02:03-0400

Guest fallback is disabled on the Pro SKU only, as far as editions home users would use. For some reason, a lot of home users think they need something higher than the home SKU.

gunrunnerjohn · 2025-07-12T12:45:57-0400

pseymour said:
Guest fallback is disabled on the Pro SKU only, as far as editions home users would use. For some reason, a lot of home users think they need something higher than the home SKU.

I actually might have gone for the Home edition if it had the remote desktop client capability. I use that for both my secondary computer and a mini box that I use as a video controller.

Tester · 2025-07-12T12:56:54-0400

dmac486 said:
NONE of the other three computers can see my main computer in file manager and none of them can access any shared folders on my main computer.

Do you have you main setup as Public network of private network?

allan · 2025-07-12T13:50:18-0400

dmac486 said:
My main computer can see and access shared folders from the three other computers on the LAN only after I enter login credentials for each computer.

NONE of the other three computers can see my main computer in file manager and none of them can access any shared folders on my main computer.

I want the capability to click on a shortcut for a batch file and copy a short list of files from any computer to any other computer but this results in a "The network name cannot be found."

I will try a network reset on each machine and see what happens. Will I have to change all the settings for file sharing and discovery all over again?

You'll have to set Ethernet or WiFi to Private - other settings SHOULD remain intact.

glasskuter · 2025-07-12T14:43:26-0400

It's a known fact 11 shares fine with 11, but you throw any other version of windows into the mix and you have a problem.

Not only would some of my computers not show in the network map but for the ones that did, I was unable to access the shares. I was able to resolve it this way. You have to do this on each computer, creating a credential for all the other computers.

First, I applied the regedit I referenced in Post #5. That usually makes the shared systems show in the network map.
Then on all systems I did this:

CREATE A WINDOWS CREDENTIAL

Create a Windows credential for an account & password on both client and server computers you are sharing files between.

Go to Control Panel>Credentials

To add a password to your Windows vault:

Open control panel>credential manager.

Click Windows credential on the right.

Click Add a Windows credential.

In the Internet or network address box, type the name of the computer on the network that you want to access. This can be the NetBIOS name (example: server1) or DNS name (example: server1.fabrikam.com).

In the User name and Password boxes, type the user name and password that you use for that computer or website, and then click OK.

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