Windows 10 Loss of access previously provided by Homegroup

[schmieg]

The last Win10 update did away with the Homegroup (a problematic thing and probably good that it's gone), but I'm no longer able to access Music, Pictures or videos through My Sony Blu-Ray player. I have three computers on the network plus the Blu-Ray. One computer will allow the access of music, but no picturres or videos. The other two won't allow any access. I did re-enter HomeUsers as authorized users on those folders and that allows me to access those folders from the other computers, but not the Blu-Ray box. The Blu-Ray does see the computers on the network, but it does not show them all as available for the music, pictures or videos submenus. Even the ones it shows as available cannot be accessed for the actual files in most cases.

My PC shows the other computers available as media servers, but all of the folders are empty if I go there. I can access the files by going through the shared C: drive on each computer, going to Users\MyName\pictures, music or videos. This seems like a link problem somewhere, but I can't find it.

Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[ChatGPT]

It appears that despite reconfiguring the sharing settings and permissions on your networked devices after the removal of Homegroup, you are still encountering issues accessing music, pictures, and videos through your Sony Blu-Ray player. Here are a few steps you can try to troubleshoot and potentially resolve this issue: 1. Reset Network Settings on Sony Blu-Ray Player: - Try performing a network reset on your Sony Blu-Ray player. This process can help refresh the connection settings and might resolve the issue. 2. Verify Network Discovery & Sharing Settings: - Ensure that network discovery and file sharing are turned on in the network settings of your Windows 10 devices. This can be found in the Network and Sharing Center. 3. Assign Static IP Addresses: - Assign static IP addresses to your networked devices to ensure consistent connectivity. This can help in situations where dynamic IP addresses might be causing issues. 4. Check Firewall and Antivirus Settings: - Ensure that your firewall or antivirus software isn't blocking file sharing. Temporarily disable both to see if they are the culprits. 5. Access Shared Folders Directly: - Instead of relying on media server access, try accessing the shared folders directly from your Blu-Ray player. Input the network share path to see if direct access resolves the issue. 6. Verify File Formats and Compatibility: - Ensure that the file formats of the music, pictures, and videos are compatible with your Blu-Ray player. Some older players might have limitations on supported formats. By following these steps, you may be able to identify and resolve the issues preventing your Sony Blu-Ray player from accessing media files shared on your Windows 10 devices.