Windows 11 networking is broken!

I have set up file sharing on my Windows 11 desktop PC so that I could access files from my Windows 11 laptop on the same LAN (same router, subnet, etc) as the desktop.
It was working for a while, but then suddenly one day I could no longer see the desktop PC from my laptop.
I have network discovery on both computers enabled, public and private networks (I have tried alll combinations).
From the desktop PC, I can see the local computer (Asus-Win11) pc in the Network folder, but from the laptop, I see only the laptop (Lenovo Windows 11), not the desktop.
I am running ESET Internet Security Ultimate.
I have turned off VPN on both computers.

I have tried turning off the ESET firewall, even ESET protection but that has no effect.

I am at a loss here. I have reverted to 'sneaker net' using a USB drive to share files between computer.

I was using DropBox, but I began experiencing connectivity issues, so I gave up on it.

My main reason for sharing folders between computers is that I am trying to write in Scrivener 3.x Windows from both computers - depending on where in the house i am.

Is there something basically broken with Windows 11 LAN or do I have setup problems?

Thanks for your help.

Ultrarunner22

I noticed for Intel LAN drivers there was an update for v24H2
whats your networking controller? LAN-ethernet or wifi?
Intel i211 for me and the new driver works fine for me..

It could be a Windows update issue too..
What version of Windows version are you running and build number?

if you're running 24h2, its a known bug. there are tons of posts regarding this. skim through this one and check your settings in comparison:

Turns out my computer is not ready for the 24H2 update. My current version is 23H2.
When I run check for updates, I get the notice that I should update, but there is no Download & Install button; only the "Learn More" and it appears that my system is not ready for 24H2.
I did a BIOS update to the latest for the Asus X570 Plus WiFi but that did not change anything - and for a while gave me a lot of anxiety when the system would not boot into Windows. I Googled on my laptop, and found that I needed to enable CSM in the BIOS, and after that, Windows booted but I needed to change my pin.

As for the networking issue, it remains unresolved, however, I can see the laptop from the desktop - Asus X570 Plus - but cannot see the desktop from the laptop.
I could use the two computers to compare settings, but I thought I already had the correct settings.
I'll keep troubleshooting this until I either fix it, or give up in frustration.

Edit: Although I do see the laptop in Network on the desktop PC, I cannot access it. When I click to open the folder, I am asked to enter my network credentials. If I try to enter my password, I get "The username or password is incorrect"

I have been focusing on the desktop PC, which is running Windows 11 Pro 23H2. The laptop is running Windows 11 Pro 24H2.
I am going to spend a little time with it again today, but unless I find the solution quickly, I will keep using my USB stick. It's only the Scrivener files that I need to have on both computers, so not worth hours of troubleshooting.

I have also thought of setting up my Raspberry Pi 3B+ as a 'server', or I could use Samba, but in the past, my attempts at getting Samba working on Windows to connect to a Linux box failed.
I should just go back to using Dropbox.

Yes, it is flawed with all sorts of reasons why items on the network do not show. The commands that usually bring them back for me is running these two commands from an elevated prompt on the PC's involved:
net stop FDResPub
net start FDResPub

Ultrarunner22 said:

, I will keep using my USB stick. It's only the Scrivener files that I need to have on both computers, so not worth hours of troubleshooting.

Click to expand...

As you have the correct settings, the only possible explanation is the Windows update for this issue. For a while perhaps you can use any LAN Messenger Apps to share files between laptop and desktop instead USB sticks.

What worked for me was to bypass all the credential junk by turning off password protected sharing in all my systems and giving everyone full control. My situation does not call for it. Sharing in Windows is tenuous at best so I didn't want to make it more complicated than it has to be. I used the control panel method.

I have password protected sharing turned off, and I have given everyone full control of the folders I wanted to share.
I have pretty much exhausted my patience with this, so I decided to re-activate my Dropbox account (basic free). I was having issues with Dropbox last month - maybe they put the basic accounts on their slowest server - but it seems to be working now.

Try this on all the systems on your network. Then restart each system.

If the system is HOME use registry Export current registry key before altering
open Regedit and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanWorkstation\Parameters
Create a new DWORD, name it RequireSecuritySignature and set its value to 0.

If the system is PRO use group policy.
Open Group Policy.
Expand Computer Configuration, Windows Settings, Security Settings, Local Policies, Security Options

Double click on Microsoft Network Client: Digitally sign communications (always)
set to disabled OK

Double click on Microsoft Network Client: Digitally sign communications (if server agrees)
set to disabled OK

Then go to Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Network, Lanman Workstation

Double click on "Enable Insecure Guest Logons" Set this to "Enabled" Click on OK.