Network in Windows Explorer not showing 1 computer

My Windows 11 notebook will let me share files with my Windows 10 desktop, so I know the network connection is working.

WELL SOB! I just went to Windows Explorer to take a screen shot showing that NETWORK was showing Media and Other devices, and now the missing Computer catagory is showing and is showing my Desktop computer which was missing all morning!

What really made it strange was if I turned on my Window Tablet, it would show up, just not the Desktop. I also know the the Desktop was discoverable, because it would appear on the Tablet under Networks.

I'd just scrap this entire post, but maybe someone can tell me why it wasn't working, and now after hours of frustration it suddenly is? It's like the car noise going away when you take it to the repair shop.

I spoke too soon. The Notebook is showing, but the Desktop is still NOT showing

Another update. Now it's only show Other Devices.

Update 2 - Now Network says "This File Is Empty". But it works. I've been using the shared file for the last hour.

This is just my opinion based on my experience and I'll probably get blasted for posting this. MS doesn't have a clue how to make networking work the way it should. Instead, they put more effort into making new emoji's and desktop stickers. They have a, if we ignore the problem long enough it will either go away or users will stop complaing about it mind set.

You might be right. This is very unstable. A little while ago, a phone showed up in Networks, and it wasn't even my phone. Then it went away, and the Notebook computer came back in. Sometimes my TV streaming device appears, and sometimes it doesn't. My head is spinning from all the research and "fixes" I've tried. I'm giving up for now.

Hi Jeff, You are not alone. I gave up on using the network map a long time ago. It would show up in 11 but not in 10. I worked for days until I finally gave up and instead accessed it using it's computer name. . About 2 months later it magically showed up in the map and I said "YAY!!" Within a month it disappeared from the network map again so now am back to accessing it through computer name again.

To access file shares by computer name, in Open Run command and type \\computername. (To find computer name in 10 settings>system>about. To find computer name in 11 settings>system. It's listed at top of page)

Thanks glasskuter. That's crazy! When I ran \\computer name, it added it to the expanded list under Network in explorer, but still not in the right hand Network pane.

I think I found a better solution. I didn't know these things existed, but I found some Network Scanning software. I just downloaded a portable version of one called Advanced IP Scanner. I works great. It found all the connected devices. Clicking on my Desktop computer in the list opens Windows Explorer showing the shared folder. I think this is a keeper

If have 7 computers in my home network. Note some are dual-boot.
Desktops
#1 DarkMatter - Windows 10 Pro
#2a Lightning - Windows 10 Pro
#2b Lightning7 - Windows 7 Home
#3 Palomino - Windows XP Pro
#4a Phoenix - Windows 10 Home
#4b Phoenix-7 - Windows 7 Pro
#5 Thoroughbred - Windows XP Pro
Laptops
#6 EvenHorizon - Windows 10 Pro
#7 Starship - Windows 11 Home

I can access all the other computers from my Windows 11 laptop. Windows networking through File Explorer is unreliable so I created a folder on my desktop called My Network. In this folder I have shortcuts to all my network computers. I have no problem accessing the shares for any of my computers as long as the computer is turned on and not sleeping.

Yes @MisterEd that's the way it is supposed to work. I've been following relative posts here and only a handful have complained about it so the problem is not widespread. I've noticed one common denominator and that is it is always just communication between 2 computers on a network and it's always involves communication between a windows 10 and 11 system, and in my case, it involves a different windows 10 computer each time, never the entire network. (I have 3 computers on my network at all times, 2xwindows 10, and one Windows 11. Another Windows 10 is active occasionally.)

If it works sometime, but not others, to my mind that eliminates it being incorrect sharing settings, especially as one can connect and access files using the computer name or ip address when it happens. Whatever it is, it's a fluke condition, either on the network or in one of the computers themselves. After all the time I spent trying to solve it, I try not to let it bother me when it happens since the workaround works. (or as the OP stated, a third party app solves the problem) So does using RDP since all my computers run Pro.

One thing that I have found in all of the windows versions that I've used (basically every version of Windows with a network stack) is to not use the default out of the box settings - set your router to a different subnet and this will remove most of the failings of windows networking, networks do not respect human boundaries so other devices in the area can show up, [but not be accessible] - it also helps to name all of your devices using a logical name system - Things like "RouterOne" "DesktopOne" "Printer Lounge" etc will save a lot of frustration

Here's another vote for Advanced IP Scanner. I also like that it's IPv4/IPv6 agnostic and works with both equally well. Cheers!
--Ed--