Windows 7 Network suddenly inaccessible

Troubleshooting Steps:​

1. Check Network Location:
   • Ensure that your network location is set to "Work network." This setting allows for greater visibility of other devices on the network.
   []Reset Networking Components:
   • Resetting the network adapter can sometimes resolve connectivity issues. You can do this by disabling and re-enabling the network adapter in the Control Panel.
   []Check Network Discovery and File Sharing:
   • Confirm that Network Discovery and File Sharing are enabled in the Network and Sharing Center. This allows your computer to see other devices on the network.
   []Windows Firewall Settings:
   • Check your Windows Firewall settings to ensure that it's not blocking network discovery or file sharing. You may need to create exceptions for file sharing.
   []Verify Workgroup Settings:
   • Confirm that your computer is part of the correct workgroup. Ensure that all computers on the network are part of the same workgroup.
   []Check Network Permissions:
   • Make sure that the shared folders on other computers have the appropriate permissions set to allow access to your computer.
   []Clear ARP Cache:
   • Clear the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) cache on your computer. Open a command prompt and type arp -d to clear the cache.
   []Disable Third-Party Security Software Temporarily:
   • Temporarily disable Norton or any other security software to see if they are causing the issue.
   []Update Network Adapter Drivers:
   • Make sure you have the latest network adapter drivers installed. Outdated drivers can sometimes lead to network connectivity problems.
   []Restart Network Services:
   • Restart the "Function Discovery Resource Publication" and "Network Location Awareness" services in the Services console.
   []Network Reset:
   • In Windows 7, you can also try using the "Diagnose and Repair" feature in the Network and Sharing Center to reset network settings.

     Additional Tips:​

   • Network Troubleshooter: You can run the built-in Network Troubleshooter in Windows 7, which can help identify and potentially fix common network issues.
   • Network Mapping: Check if mapping network drives manually helps in accessing other computers on the network. By following these steps, you should be able to diagnose and resolve the issue with network visibility on your Windows 7 computer. Let me know if you need further assistance or if you have any other questions!