Can’t See Other Computers on Network Win 10? Fix
If you can’t see other computers on your Windows 10 network, the cause is usually a combination of network discovery being turned off, incorrect sharing settings, or a profile set to “Public” instead of “Private.” This guide walks you through the exact settings to check and fix, so your PCs show up in File Explorer’s Network list again.
Why Windows 10 Hides Other Computers
Windows 10 uses a feature called Network Discovery to find other devices on the same local network. When it’s disabled, your PC neither broadcasts its presence nor listens for others, so the Network folder appears empty even though the computers are physically connected. Microsoft disables Network Discovery by default for the Public network profile, which is the default for new Wi‑Fi and Ethernet connections. If your network is marked as Public, Windows blocks file sharing and device visibility for security.
Step 1: Set the Network Profile to Private
The quickest fix is to switch your active connection from Public to Private. Here’s how:
- Open Settings (Win + I) and go to Network & Internet.
- Click Status on the left, then click Properties under your active connection (it says “Ethernet” or “Wi‑Fi”).
- Under Network profile, select Private.
- Close Settings and check File Explorer → Network.
If you don’t see the Properties button, you may be on an older Windows 10 version – use the classic Control Panel method instead: open Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → click the connection name (e.g., “Ethernet”) → click Properties → select Private and OK.
Step 2: Turn On Network Discovery and File Sharing
After setting the profile to Private, verify that Network Discovery and File and Printer Sharing are enabled:
- Open Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Advanced sharing settings.
- Under the Private section, select Turn on network discovery and Turn on file and printer sharing.
- Click Save changes (requires admin rights).
If you’re on a domain network, some options may be grayed out – that’s controlled by your IT department.
Step 3: Check the Services That Make Discovery Work
Windows relies on several background services for network browsing. If they’re stopped, discovery fails even with the right settings. Open Services (Win + R, type services.msc) and ensure these are running and set to Automatic:
- Function Discovery Provider Host
- Function Discovery Resource Publication
- SSDP Discovery
- UPnP Device Host
For each, right-click → Properties → set Startup type to Automatic → click Start if it’s stopped. Restart your PC afterward.
Step 4: Enable SMB 1.0 (Only If Needed)
Older devices (like Windows 7, XP, or some network-attached storage) use SMB 1.0, which is disabled by default in Windows 10 for security. If you have such a device, you can enable it, but be aware it increases vulnerability to malware like WannaCry. To enable:
- Open Control Panel → Programs → Turn Windows features on or off.
- Check SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support.
- Restart your PC.
If all your devices are Windows 10 or 11, you do not need SMB 1.0 – leave it off.
Step 5: Use the IP Address as a Fallback
If the Network list still doesn’t show a computer, you can access it directly by IP address. Open File Explorer, type \\192.168.1.100 (replace with the target PC’s IP) and press Enter. To find the IP on the other computer, run ipconfig in Command Prompt and look at the IPv4 Address. This bypasses discovery entirely and works even if Network Discovery is off, as long as file sharing is enabled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my network show “Public” even though I’m at home?
Windows sets a network to Public when it doesn’t recognize the network as trusted. This often happens after a router change, a Windows update, or when connecting to a new Wi‑Fi. You can manually change it to Private using the steps above – it’s a one-time fix unless the network identifier changes.
I turned on Network Discovery, but it turns off automatically. Why?
This usually happens when the network profile is still Public. Windows forcibly disables discovery on Public networks for security. Double-check that the active connection is set to Private, and also verify that the Function Discovery Resource Publication service is running – if it stops, discovery reverts to off.
Can I see other computers if they are on a different subnet?
No. Network Discovery only works within the same subnet (e.g., all IPs starting with 192.168.1.x). If your router uses multiple subnets or VLANs, computers on different subnets won’t see each other. You’d need to configure routing or use a direct IP connection.
Why can I see the other computer but get an “Access Denied” error when opening it?
That’s a permissions issue, not a discovery issue. The target computer must have a shared folder, and your user account must have access. On the target PC, make sure the folder is shared (right-click → Properties → Sharing → Share) and that the user you’re using has read/write permissions. Also, both computers should use the same Microsoft account or have local accounts with passwords.
Does disabling SMB 1.0 affect my ability to see other Windows 10 PCs?
No. Windows 10 and 11 use SMB 2.0 or 3.0 for file sharing, so SMB 1.0 is not needed for modern computers. Only older devices (Windows 7 with certain updates, XP, some NAS drives) require SMB 1.0.
My computers are all on Private, but the Network list is still empty. What else can I try?
First, restart all devices and the router. Then, check that the TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper service is running (it’s often needed for older network browsing). You can also try disabling IPv6 temporarily – some routers have issues with IPv6 discovery. If nothing works, use the direct IP method to access the other computer – it’s the most reliable fallback.
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