Explorer showing mapped NAS Directories as empty when they are not.

Question

Explorer showing mapped NAS Directories as empty when they are not.

Anonymous

This does not appear to be an access problem because it is possible to convince explorer to show the contents in some cases with some effort but the effect is temporary and returns to being secretive very easily.

Example …

I select the S: Share drive = shows empty.
In the navigation pane, expand the Share drive and it’s directory structure is revealed.
Select the Share drive and it shows the drive contents.

Once explorer shows the contents, everything is mostly accessible. A small test file (.txt) can be opened with Word but not Notepad. In fact, most files will open with their default programs with a small number of exceptions. Explorer can copy and paste from the NAS to anywhere (NAS or local drive) and it is possible to paste to the NAS from the local drive even without explorer showing the contents. Even Notepad can write to the NAS without problems, it just cannot read it back.

This behaviour holds true for all file browsing from within a program (Eg Word).

Environment

This is a new Windows 11 desktop which is replacing a Windows 11 Notebook. The old notebook does not exhibit this behaviour.

Device name Teflon62

Processor 13th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-13420H 2.10 GHz

Installed RAM 16.0 GB (15.6 GB usable)

Device ID 1719676C-78E4-48AC-83F0-4E2624D4B903

Product ID 00355-61863-32861-AAOEM

System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

Pen and touch No pen or touch input is available for this display

Edition Windows 11 Pro

Version 24H2

Installed on ‎18/‎11/‎2024

OS build 26100.2454

Serial number YJ01T61C

Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.36.0

Ethernet is maked as a private network

Network discovery is on with automatic set up check box on.

Printer and file sharing is on.

Folder view options is set to show hidden files, folders and drives.

The following services have been set to start Automatic

Computer Browser
Function Discovery Provider Host
Function Discovery Resource Publication
Network Connections
UPnP Device Host

Tried turning the firewall off.

In fact I have read and tried a lot of things from various forums but will continue to desperately try anything.

I am feeling really dumb right now.

***Move from Windows / Windows 11 / Files, folders, and storage***

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4 answers

Answer 1

Anonymous

Hello

Based on my understanding of the problem, I suggest you try using a mapped network drive and see if it solves the problem.

Map a network drive in Windows - Microsoft Support

Best Regards

Zunhui

Answer 2

Anonymous

Hi,

Thank you for your response, I suggest you check the "Reconnect on login" box when mapping the shared driver and test to see if the problem reappears.

Best Regards

Zunhui

Answer 3

Anonymous

The reconnect at logon has always been checked. This is a permanent mapping.

Answer 4

It is a mapped drive. From your suggestions I have

Disconnected the drive mapping.
rebooted the pc
Mapped it under the local account. Test.
disconnected the drive
rebooted the PC
Mapped it under a network account Test.
disconnected the drive
rebooted the PC
Mapped it under the network administrator account. Test.

In every case the problem remains.

Initially the drive shows its contents, but not subdirectories.
closing explorer makes it forget anything it knew and then will show empty.
expanding the navigation pane makes it remember the drive contents.
This also applies to subdirectories, initially empty but once expanded on the navigation pane shows the contents.

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Explorer showing mapped NAS Directories as empty when they are not.

4 answers