Windows File Explorer In Win 10 Doesn't Display Network Computers

I have been trying to find a fix for the problem I and, apparently, many others, are having. It started, as far as I know, when I read it was safe to install the Microsoft updates for September. So, I did and at the time I was running Windows 10 ver. 1909.



Since updating, I have not been able to see the computers on my network in Windows File Explorer when clicking the Network option in the Left pane. I always have been able before to see them. I do have a program that allows me to send files to all these computers, so I know permissions are set properly. I can also get to them using a shortcut like \\OWNER-PC and access all the folders and files on any computer in my network I make a path to.


So far these suggestions, in addition to making sure permissions are set properly are the following and how they are now set:



Please check that the following services are set to start automatically on every computer in your network.

• Function Discovery Provider Host – is set to Automatic Delayed.
• Function Discovery Resource Publication - is set to Automatic Delayed.
• SSDP Discovery - is set to Automatic.
• UPnP Device Host - is set to Automatic.

It was later pointed out that Function Discovery Provider Host and Function Discovery Resource Publication should be set to Automatic Delayed. However, it has been tested using both Automatic and Automatic Delayed and it doesn’t make any difference at all.



Here is what I can do at present. I have a bat file that when run first STOPS Function Discovery Resource Publication. Then it STARTS Function Discovery Resource Publication.



On any other computer that has an incident of Windows File Explorer open at the time I run that bat file, the computer I run it on then shows up in that other computer’s open incident of Windows File Explorer. I can navigate to that other computer and open or do anything I want to do. Once I close that incident of Windows File Explorer and open another the other network computer is no longer accessible until I run that bat fil again on it. So, to try to be a little clearer, I open Windows File Explorer on, what I consider my main computer. The network option of Windows File Explorer in the Left pane only displays that computer itself. I then go to my other 4 computers and run that bat file. When I return to my main computer all the 5 computers on my network are displayed in that open incident of Windows File Explorer. If I close it and open another incident, it goes back to only displaying itself.



I guess I should mention that I run a program called MyFolders that I downloaded from this site. Even when Windows File Explorer does not display any other network computers, I can still send files to the ones that MyFolders has previously mapped. I cannot map a new folder because the other network computers are not displayed in Window File Explorer.



Hoping installing Windows Ver. 2004 would fix this problem, I installed it on all 5 computers. It did not fix it; it is still the same. So I am now running Windows 10 ver. 2004 an all my computers.


Any ideas why I can no longer see the computers on my network in Windows File Explorer and how I can fix this? I have searched the WEB and come up with nothing helpful or that hasn’t been tried.



By the way, this is the case on all 5 of my computers, so something seems to have made a change somewhere.

 

I don't have a proper answer to this but can suggest a simple workaround. You could create shortcuts to the other computers on your desktop in the form of either \\PC NAME or \\IP. This will work while you continue searching for a 'proper' answer. You need fixed IPs to use \\IP of course.

Over the last few weeks I have also experienced some not dissimilar problems and inconsistent behaviour in displaying my networked computers in File Explorer so I suspect a bug somewhere in recent 1909 updates, continuing in 2004.

 

Edit - you could also map your network drives using the same method.

 

I have had those mapped shortcuts for some time now. Just trying to find a solution to not being able to see the other computers. I believe there are many with the same problem from what I see on the NET.

 

SOLVED, I do believe. Someone at another site sent me a link that took me to this:
Latest MBAM Appears To Kill Local Network Sharing / Visibility
________________________________________
It seems an update to MBAM (sometime in the last week or two) has effectively disabled both Network Discovery and File and Printer Sharing in Windows 10. That is, even with those features enabled they are non-functional.
I have two nearly identical PCs (both running Windows 10 Pro and both running Malwarebytes) on a home network that is shared with a NAS and various other devices. After years of trouble-free networking I discovered that when I open File Explorer on either machine I was suddenly unable to see any other devices on the network. After hours of failed troubleshooting I finally called Microsoft Tech Support and allowed them to connect to one of my PCs remotely. After a very frustrating hour they asked if I would disable my antivirus software so they could perform further testing. Within seconds of turning off Malwarebytes all my missing devices became visible in File Explorer! My other PCs, the NAS, the home theater - everything. And when I re-opened MBAM they all disappeared again.
Unfortunately, I can find no option in the Malwarebytes setup to account for this nor could I find any documentation here or elsewhere to explain what's happening which begs the question: Is this a bug?

I quit Malawarebytes on my computers and they once again became visible in Windows File Explorer

 

Thank you. Just to let people know, I installed Malawarebytes version 4.2.2.95 yesterday and for me it seems to have corrected the problem. I do know, however, that is not the case for some.