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Can't connect to shared network drive

Anonymous
2018-08-28T18:27:39+00:00

After the last Windows 10 update (1803), our five Windows 10 Pro computers which are in a WORKGROUP local network (no domain) keep loosing their connection to two shared network drives on one of the computers.  Usually by restarting their computer (sometimes multiple times) they can see the shared drives.  Also, the following steps almost always fix the problem but again it only lasts for a day or two or sometimes a few hours.

  1. Close all running programs.
  2. Click on Start Menu and then rt-click on This PC and choose Properties.
  3. Click on “Advanced System Settings” on the left side of the window.
  4. Click on Computer Name tab.
  5. Click on Network ID button.
  6. Accept the default of “This computer is part of a business network”.
  7. Click on the Next button.
  8. Change the setting to “My computer uses a network without a domain”.
  9. Accept the default workgroup name of “WORKGROUP”.

10.  Click on Next button.

11.  Click on Finish button.

12.  Click on OK.

13.  Restart the computer.

Also restarting the computer which hosts the shared drives also doesn't seen to solve the problem for more than a few hours.

Thanks very much for any help.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-09-11T13:22:47+00:00

    Marc Cai,

    I finally found a solution.  The problem is definitely a bug in Windows 10 1803.  Below is a link to the fix.  Once I made the modification to the Host file on each client (step 6.2), they were able to see the shared folders without any problems.  

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-files/homegroup-removed-how-to-get-network-sharing-work/01277332-2916-4a68-853a-116696b20743

    Moderator's note: Also refer this guide to see if this helps you:

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-networking/connect-pcs-and-users-for-sharing-windows-10-to/fb92e439-5dbc-4367-9857-1ef360e9ffdf

    Thanks for your help.

    Rod

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-08-30T15:24:56+00:00

    Marc Cai

    I really appreciate you help and patience.  However, I  am confused as to why we care about USB settings.  Just to clarify, the "shared drives" are simply folders on the C drive of one of the five computers in the peer to peer Workgroup network.  Those folders have shared read/write access for the other four computers.  All access is thru the ethernet LAN, not any USB connections.  Also I already checked the computer that is sharing it's folders and that computer does not have the Power Management tab in it's ethernet adapter.

    Are you saying that changing the USB Wake Support setting in the BIOS Power Management is going to make the Power Management tab appear in the Ethernet adapter of all the computers?

    I also checked the USB mass storage device driver settings in Device Manager on one computer and it does have a Power Management tab.  Are you saying that making sure that all USB drivers should not allow this computer to turn off this device to save power will somehow help keep the ethernet connection working?

    Thanks very much for your help.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-08-30T03:37:58+00:00

    Thanks for the update, Rod. You can also try the methods on the shared drives by the way. Follow the same steps on the shared drives' drivers. 

    Regarding the missing Power Management tab, most of the users found on other network drivers/USB crontollers. If it really is missing even with other drivers, please check your driver's update or the device's BIOS/UEFI settings. Under the BIOS settings, You can look for USB Wake Support under Power Managements or Advanced Settings.

    Once you've tried it, please update so we'll know the next things to try.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-08-29T21:16:32+00:00

    Here is the answer to your questions below:

    The only change that was done to the computers before the problem began was the Windows update.  All of the computers now have Windows 10  Version 1803 (Build 17134.228).  

    I tried the Network & Sharing Center steps you suggested below.  However, four out of the five computers including the host of the shared drives do not have the Power Management tab in the Configure window.  They only have General, Advanced, Driver, Details, and Events tabs.

    I was very hopeful that your suggestion about the turn off to save power setting would be the solution.  What's next?

    Rod

    ____________________

    If you're able to  remember, can you tell us the last changes that were done before the issue happened (Update, software installation, ETC)? What is the current exact version of your Windows 10? To check:

    1. Press Windows key + R, then type in winver.
    2. Click OK.

    Meanwhile, please perform the following:

    1. Go to Network and Sharing Center.
    2. At the right pane, click Change adapter settings.
    3. Right click on your connection name (WiFi name) and Properties.
    4. Click the Configure... button.
    5. Go to Power Management tab.
    6. Uncheck/disable the radio button for  "Allow this device to turn off this device to save power".
    7. Restart the PC (Important)

    Please feel free to get back, so we can continue.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2018-08-29T04:41:53+00:00

    Hi RodMSC3#, 

    If you're able to  remember, can you tell us the last changes that were done before the issue happened (Update, software installation, ETC)? What is the current exact version of your Windows 10? To check:

    1. Press Windows key + R, then type in winver.
    2. Click OK.

    Meanwhile, please perform the following:

    1. Go to Network and Sharing Center.
    2. At the right pane, click Change adapter settings.
    3. Right click on your connection name (WiFi name) and Properties.
    4. Click the Configure... button.
    5. Go to Power Management tab.
    6. Uncheck/disable the radio button for  "Allow this device to turn off this device to save power".
    7. Restart the PC (Important)

    Please feel free to get back, so we can continue.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments