Solved Home networking support

We have 3 PC's in the household and will soon introduce a new laptop. One of the PC's is used for file / media storage (server) Both my desktop PC and the server I have set for automatic sign in - no PW or Pin. There are just 2 old adults in the house.

Messing around with network settings I can managed to create links from my PC to my server but when I click on network under explorer there is no network visible just a bunch of items for my Sonos systems and the printer.
If I try to access my PC from the server, I can see the PC in networks but clicking on it prompts me for Username and Password.

I assume username is the name of my PC, but there is no password or Pin.

Can anyone help me understand what I'm doing wrong- Thanks

Does anyone remember "Network Magic" I wish it was still around......

In settings, turn off password protected sharing on all computers. That should make things much easier for you:

britgeezer said:

Does anyone remember "Network Magic"

Click to expand...

I not only remember it, I have it installed twice on my very old laptop that dual boots Vista and Windows 7. I fire it up on occasion but won't connect to the internet with it.

NavyLCDR said:

In settings, turn off password protected sharing on all computers. That should make things much easier for you:

View attachment 44166

Click to expand...

Yep, did that previously. I just checked on my PC and its off, I'll make sure on the server later.
Any thoughts on why no Network shows in Explorer?

Is your network set to private or public. Should be set to public.

That was counter intuitive to me, but I set it to public.
Still no sign of other networks - even after reboot.
I feel like Alice ....

britgeezer said:

That was counter intuitive to me, but I set it to public.
Still no sign of other networks - even after reboot.
I feel like Alice ....

Click to expand...

Oops. I screwed up. It should be private. My mistake!

You access network computers by accessing their shared folders. Just share one or more folders on each computer.

Below you see the two folders on the computer called Starship I am sharing on the network:

You can just create an additional, local, password-protected Admin user account then use that to authorise the network connection & set the checkbox in that dialog for the credential to be remembered.

All other user accounts will then be able to use the connection, not just the authorising one.
- You never need to use the additional Admin account again if you don't want to, just let it sit there minding its own business.
- But do write its password down somewhere secure yet accessible.

See
A consolidated network setup checklist [post #2] - TenForums
- it applies to Windows 11 as well


Best of luck,
Denis

2 different screens say settings are for Home. What do I choose - Private or Public as both say for Home? I am the only user at home on one laptop sharing with phone, tablet and printer.

Charmaine,

Set the network as Private
See Network Location to Private, Public - ElevenForumTutorials
- Private means that you can allow network computers & printers to communicate with each other, exchange files, print, ... You'll also see this referred to as allowing 'Network discovery' i.e. letting them see each other.
- Public means that the network is exposed to the public so you do not want to allow the same level of discovery as you would for your home network. This is what you'd choose for, say, a network you connect to in a public building such as a cafe that lets the public use its internet connection.
Your router takes care of the fact that your Private network also has an internet connection.


Best of luck,
Denis

Try3 said:

Charmaine,

Set the network as Private
See Network Location to Private, Public - ElevenForumTutorials
- Private means that you can allow network computers & printers to communicate with each other, exchange files, print, ... You'll also see this referred to as allowing 'Network discovery' i.e. letting them see each other.
- Public means that the network is exposed to the public so you do not want to allow the same level of discovery as you would for your home network. This is what you'd choose for, say, a network you connect to in a public building such as a cafe that lets the public use its internet connection.
Your router takes care of the fact that your Private network also has an internet connection.


Best of luck,
Denis

Click to expand...

I have always used the Public setting. Works perfect for my needs and is probably why MS has it listed as Recommended.

Winuser said:

I have always used the Public setting. Works perfect for my needs and is probably why MS has it listed as Recommended.

Click to expand...

Thank you for agreeing with me but Charmaine might appreciate a few words of explanation about your needs to help her decide about her needs.

All the best,
Denis

Leave it set on public and see if you can do everything you need to do. If you can't do something then try the private setting. Just doesn't need to be all that complicated

Try3 said:

Thank you for agreeing with me but Charmaine might appreciate a few words of explanation about your needs to help her decide about her needs.

All the best,
Denis

Click to expand...

@NavyLCDR said it better than I cold have.

I will say this. I and most home users don't need to access other computers on their network. I have three printers that use Wi-Fi and all of the computers plus my smart phone can access and use the printers. The only computer that I need access to from my other computers is my mini PC so I can access the Mezzmo server and this works using the public setting. For file sharing I have all the files I need to share on One Drive. Everyone has different needs but I think most home users can use the public setting and don't need to use the private setting.

I was on Public and strange devices randomly appear in my Network. Other computers, modems, tvs, phones, unknown devices. Random each day. I live on a residential street, neighbors not at home all day. My internet provider said set it to Private.

CharmaineK said:

I was on Public and strange devices randomly appear in my Network. Other computers, modems, tvs, phones, unknown devices. Random each day. I live on a residential street, neighbors not at home all day. My internet provider said set it to Private.

Click to expand...

What ever works for your needs but I disagree with your provider. I'm staying with Public because I don't need to access anything on the other computers in my house. I hope this pic helps you to understand the difference.

Winuser said:

What ever works for your needs but I disagree with your provider. I'm staying with Public because I don't need to access anything on the other computers in my house. I hope this pic helps you to understand the difference.

View attachment 46814

Click to expand...

Yes. I know the difference. See my screenshot above. One screen says use private for home, another screen says use public for home.

The key is that with Public, your device is not discoverable. With Private, your device is discoverable. I and most home users do not need their device discoverable. Your needs may differ. With all of my computers set to Public, I still see all of the devices in my home listed under Network. Things like my printers, TVs, Roku device and the Bose Soundbar. I just don't see my other computers.