Win 11 Home Laptop not seeing Win 10 Pro Desktop on net

[MikeyChris]

I recently bought an inexpensive Laptop and set it up with several shortcuts to documents on my desktop. No issues were encountered. The methodology used at the time was this: I opened the NETWORK on the he laptop, clicked on the DESKTOP icon that appeared in the Network connections on the laptop, and drilled down to the files needed, and created shortcuts. Well today I needed to create another shortcut to a doc and the laptop does not see the desktop on the net anymore (BUT all the old shortcuts to docs on the desktop still work). When I try a net search for the desktop using the name of the desktop, it is never found. Any suggestions on how I can correct this? Is it a sharing issue? I didn't have to do any special stuff when I set up the original shortcuts, I just shared the files I needed, but I could see the desktop from the laptop without doing anything. I guess because I use the same login info on bot computers. HelP! Thanx.

 

[ChatGPT]

It sounds like you're experiencing issues with network visibility between your Windows 11 laptop and your Windows 10 Pro desktop. Here are several possible solutions to troubleshoot the problem and restore network visibility:

1. Check Network Discovery and File Sharing Settings​

Ensure that both devices have network discovery and file sharing turned on:

• On your Windows 10 Pro Desktop:
  • Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings.
  • Under Private, ensure that Turn on network discovery and Turn on file and printer sharing are enabled.
• On your Windows 11 Laptop:
  • Repeat the same steps above to ensure these settings align with your desktop.

2. Verify Sharing Permissions​

Make sure that the folders you want to access from the laptop have appropriate sharing permissions:

• Right-click on the folder on your desktop, go to Properties.
• Navigate to the Sharing tab, and click on Advanced Sharing.
• Check Share this folder, then click on Permissions and ensure your user has full control.

3. Firewall Settings​

The Windows Firewall might be blocking the connection. Temporarily disable it to check:

• Navigate to Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall.
• Click on Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off on the left.
• Select Turn off for both private and public networks (just for testing).
• If this resolves the issue, consider adding exceptions for File and Printer Sharing.

4. Network Type​

Ensure that both computers are on the same network type (Private or Public). You can check this in:

• Settings > Network & Internet > Status.
• Click on Properties of the connected network and set it to Private if it's not already.

5. Restart Network Devices​

Sometimes simply restarting your router, along with both computers, can resolve connectivity issues.

6. Using IP Address for Access​

Try accessing your desktop by using its IP address:

• Open Command Prompt on your Windows 10 desktop and type ipconfig.
• Note the IPv4 address (e.g., 192.168.1.2) and try accessing it on your laptop by entering \\192.168.1.2 in the File Explorer address bar.

7. Check for Updates​

Make sure both systems are up to date. Sometimes, updates can fix bugs related to network connectivity.

8. Network Reset​

As a last resort, you can reset your network settings:

• On Windows 11: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network reset.
• This will remove your network adapters and reinstall them, so you'll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi.

Conclusion​

Try these steps and see if the issue persists. With the right adjustments, your laptop should be able to locate the desktop on the network again. If you still face issues, let me know what you've tried and I'll assist further!

 

[MikeyChris]

Thank you so much for all this info. I have tried most of it with no success. However, I think the problem is that the laptop is connecting to the WiFi but somehow not getting to the desktop through the wired connection. I can see the printer and my personal cloud on the laptop, but all of those are on the WiFi (i.e. not wired). The Desktop is hard wired to the Gateway (combo Router/Modem). When I type \\192.168.0.1 (the gateway URL) from both the laptop and the desktop I am able to login to the gateway. But trying to find the desktop's i.p. from the laptop is unsuccessful. Im gonna try rebooting the router and see if that helps. It's frustrating because I had no issues at all when I originally set this up. Thanx again for all the help.

 

[ChatGPT]

It sounds like you're dealing with a typical network configuration issue, especially since the desktop is hardwired and the laptop is on Wi-Fi. Given what you've described, let’s try a few more targeted steps to address the connectivity problem:

1. Check the Desktop's IP Address​

Since the desktop is wired, its IP address should be different from the gateway. You can find the desktop's IP address by following these steps:

• On the Windows 10 Pro desktop, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig.
• Look for the Ethernet adapter (Local Area Connection) section and note the IPv4 Address. It should look something like 192.168.0.x.

2. Ensure Devices are on the Same Subnet​

Ensure that both computers are on the same subnet:

• Your laptop's IP address (which you can find in the same way with ipconfig) should also be 192.168.0.x, but the last digit should be different than the desktop’s.

3. Router Settings​

• Since the desktop is connected via Ethernet, ensure that there are no restrictions or configurations in the router settings (like MAC address filtering) that could prevent the laptop from seeing the desktop.

4. Reboot Router​

As you mentioned, rebooting the router is a good idea. This can often resolve IP allocation and connectivity issues.

5. Try Pinging the Desktop​

Once you've verified the desktop's IP address, open Command Prompt on your laptop and try pinging the desktop:

ping [Desktop_IP_Address]

• Replace [Desktop_IP_Address] with the actual IP. If the ping is successful, it confirms that your laptop can reach the desktop over the network.

6. Share the Entire Network​

If the ping works but you still can't access the desktop:

• On the desktop, ensure that Network Sharing is enabled for the entire network.
• In the Network and Sharing Center, you can set sharing options to allow access to your PC.

7. Firewall and Security Software​

• As mentioned earlier, double-check the firewall settings on the desktop, as they may be blocking incoming connections from devices on the Wi-Fi network.

8. Manual Network Connection​

Instead of browsing through the network, you can try manually connecting:

• In File Explorer on the laptop, type \\[Desktop_IP_Address] directly into the address bar, replacing with the desktop’s actual IP.

9. Network Reset if Needed​

If all else fails and nothing works, consider performing a network reset on both devices. This is a last resort but might resolve lingering configuration issues.

Conclusion​

Keep me updated on how the rebooting goes and whether you're able to ping the desktop or access it directly with the IP address. With some diligent troubleshooting, we should be able to restore that interconnectivity!

 

[MikeyChris]

OK this is weird. IF I type http:\\192.168.0.1 into a browser it takes me to the gateway. HOWEVER, when I ping the same exact url from the laptop I get ping could not find host. The laptop and desktop are both on the same subnet. the LT is 192.168.0.132 and the DT is 192.168.0.82. FWIW I can successfully ping the gateway from the DT. Does this "clue" give you any ideas?

 

[ChatGPT]

From what you’ve described, it seems the laptop can access the gateway through a web browser but cannot ping it directly, which is indeed peculiar and may indicate a few possible issues. Here are some things you might want to look into:

1. Check the URL Format​

When accessing IP addresses in browsers, be sure to use the correct format. For the gateway, the URL should be http://192.168.0.1 instead of http:\\\\192.168.0.1. The backward slashes might confuse the command line.

2. Network Isolation​

Some routers have settings that can prevent devices on the Wi-Fi from communicating with wired devices. This is often referred to as "Wireless Isolation" or "AP Isolation". Check the configuration of your router to ensure that this feature is disabled.

3. Firewall Settings on the Router​

Some routers have built-in firewalls that may block ICMP packets (used by ping). Make sure that ICMP is allowed on the firewall settings of the router.

4. Check Laptop Firewall​

Since you can ping the gateway from your desktop but not from your laptop, check if the firewall settings on your laptop may be blocking outgoing ping requests:

• Open Windows Defender Firewall on the laptop and review the settings to ensure nothing is blocking ICMP requests.

5. Try Different Network Profiles​

Make sure the network type is set to Private on your laptop. If it’s still set to Public, it might limit connectivity:

• Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status and click on the network you are connected to, and check if it’s set to Private.

6. DNS Issues​

It could also be a DNS issue. Try pinging the gateway by its IP address rather than by hostname (which it seems you are already doing). If you need to set a public DNS server, you can try changing the DNS settings to Google DNS:

• Go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
• Click on your connection and select Properties.
• Choose Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) then click on Properties.
• Select Use the following DNS server addresses and enter 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 as alternate DNS servers.

7. Reboot Everything Again​

If you haven’t already rebooted both devices and the router after checking these settings, it’s worth doing so to ensure everything is refreshed.

Conclusion​

Give these steps a try, especially rechecking the network isolation settings on the router. The fact that the laptop can access the web interface of the gateway but not successfully ping indicates a likely network configuration issue on the router or within the firewall settings. Let me know what you find out!

 

[MikeyChris]

@ChatGPT Well magic just happened. I had tried most of what you suggested, without success. Then I tired rebooting everything (both computers & router) and still no joy. Then as I putzing around trying to find a workaround to get a shortcut to a doc, I notice the desktop showed up again on the Laptop's NEWORK screen. So I thanked the bit gods and am now waiting for it to stop working. I really appreciate all your help.

 

[ChatGPT]

I'm glad to hear that your desktop has reappeared on the laptop's network screen! Sometimes, a good reboot of all devices can work wonders in fixing connectivity issues, as it refreshes all network assignments and clears out any glitches that may have occurred.

A Few Tips to Maintain Stability:​

1. Regularly Update Your Systems: Keeping both the Windows 10 and Windows 11 machines up-to-date ensures that you have the latest fixes and features that could improve network connectivity.
2. Check Network Settings Periodically: Occasionally review the network settings, especially after any updates or configuration changes to ensure everything is still set up correctly.
3. Backup Connection Settings: If you have a particular setup that works, consider documenting the settings so that it's easier to restore if any issues arise again in the future.
4. Have a Plan B: If this sort of issue occurs again, knowing you can access the desktop by its IP address will be helpful.

Conclusion​

If you notice any more connectivity issues down the line, don’t hesitate to revisit the troubleshooting steps we've discussed. Enjoy your document shortcuts, and may the "bit gods" favor you with continued connection stability! If you ever need further assistance, I'm right here to help.

 

[MikeyChris]

I'm glad to hear that your desktop has reappeared on the laptop's network screen! Sometimes, a good reboot of all devices can work wonders in fixing connectivity issues, as it refreshes all network assignments and clears out any glitches that may have occurred.

A Few Tips to Maintain Stability:​

1. Regularly Update Your Systems: Keeping both the Windows 10 and Windows 11 machines up-to-date ensures that you have the latest fixes and features that could improve network connectivity.
2. Check Network Settings Periodically: Occasionally review the network settings, especially after any updates or configuration changes to ensure everything is still set up correctly.
3. Backup Connection Settings: If you have a particular setup that works, consider documenting the settings so that it's easier to restore if any issues arise again in the future.
4. Have a Plan B: If this sort of issue occurs again, knowing you can access the desktop by its IP address will be helpful.

Conclusion​

If you notice any more connectivity issues down the line, don’t hesitate to revisit the troubleshooting steps we've discussed. Enjoy your document shortcuts, and may the "bit gods" favor you with continued connection stability! If you ever need further assistance, I'm right here to help.

Ok the weirdness continues. Even though I can see either computer (in both directions), when I ping (either direction) I get the cannot find host message. Not a biggie, but weird.

 

[ChatGPT]

It's definitely a quirky situation you have going on! Since you can see both computers on the network but get a “cannot find host” message when pinging, let’s delve into some explanations and additional troubleshooting steps to help clarify the issue.

Explanations​

1. Firewall Settings: It's likely that the firewalls on either or both computers are configured to allow file sharing but block ICMP packets used by the ping command. This is often a security measure.
2. Network Isolation: If there's a setting enabled on your router, such as Wireless Isolation, it might allow you to see the devices on the network but prevent ICMP requests from being processed.
3. Host Resolution Issues: If you're attempting to ping by hostname instead of IP address, and there's a name resolution issue (like DNS not resolving properly), then you'll encounter "cannot find host" errors.

Troubleshooting Steps​

1. Ping by IP Address: Make sure you're trying to ping using the specific IP addresses directly (e.g., ping 192.168.0.82 for the desktop from the laptop). This will confirm whether it’s a name resolution problem.
2. Check Firewall Rules:
   • On both Windows machines, navigate to Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall > Advanced settings.
   • Check the inbound and outbound rules for ICMP (ping). You can create a rule that allows ICMP requests to see if this resolves the issue.
3. Router Settings Review:
   • Check your router settings for any security features that might restrict pings. Sometimes, these settings can be under various names like "ICMP Blocking" or "Ping Blocking."
4. Utilize the Command Line:
   • You can also use tracert to see the route to the device, which can provide insight on whether packets can reach the intended device.
   • Use tracert 192.168.0.82 to see how data travels to the desktop.
5. Temporary Networking Software:
   • If you have any additional software installed that manages network connections or security, it may be interfering with the usual behavior.
6. Local Network Properties:
   • Check the local area network properties to ensure that both computers are in the same workgroup, as this might affect some network functionalities.

Conclusion​

It can be frustrating when network issues behave unpredictably, but since your machines are working together in at least some capacity, you’re on the right track. Going through these troubleshooting steps should help clarify the situation. If needed, let me know how each step turns out, and we'll tackle any issues together!