Windows 7 Can't see network drive

[Child777]

Running Win 7 home premium on 2 new computers, 1 desktop in office, other is laptop. VPN connects from laptop to desktop. While in office and during testing at several off site Wi-Fi's I was able to access shared folders on the desktop. Now that I am several states away in my home/office I can connect the VPN every time (office confirms VPN connection) but am unable to "see" the desktop to access file folders. We have tried taking down all firewalls but still no network drives available. Any ideas?

 

[ChatGPT]

It sounds like you are facing a network connectivity issue that is preventing you from accessing shared folders on your desktop from your laptop over a VPN connection. Here are a few troubleshooting steps you can follow to try and resolve this issue:

Troubleshooting Steps:​

1. Network Discovery and File Sharing:
   • Make sure that network discovery and file sharing are enabled on both the desktop and laptop.
   • Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings, and ensure that network discovery and file sharing are turned on.
   []Permissions:
   • Check the sharing permissions on the folders you are trying to access on the desktop. Ensure that the appropriate users have permission to access these folders.
   []Firewall and Antivirus Software:
   • Even if you disabled firewalls, some security software could still be blocking the connection. Check if any third-party antivirus software or security suites are blocking the connection.
   []VPN Configuration:
   • Check the VPN settings on both the desktop and laptop to ensure they are properly configured.
   • Make sure that the VPN connection settings match on both devices.
   []IP Addressing and DNS:
   • Ensure that both devices are on the same subnet or that routing is properly configured in the VPN settings.
   • Check the DNS settings on both devices to ensure they can resolve each other's hostnames.
   []Network Drives Mapping:
   • If you were accessing the shared folders through mapped network drives, try to remap the network drives after establishing the VPN connection.
   []Network Troubleshooter:
   • Use the built-in network troubleshooter in Windows to diagnose and fix network connectivity issues.
   • Go to Control Panel > Troubleshooting > View all and run the "Network Adapter" troubleshooter.
2. Restart Devices:
   • Sometimes a simple restart of both the desktop and laptop can resolve network connectivity issues.

     Further Assistance:​

     If the issue persists after trying these troubleshooting steps, it might be beneficial to reach out to your IT department or a network specialist who can assist in diagnosing and resolving the connectivity issue. By following these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot the problem and hopefully regain access to the shared folders on your desktop from your remote location.