File Explorer Locations missing

Question

I have a small network of computers (some are VMs) on a wholly private LAN.

Some of these PCs when you open file explorer in the network section show some of the other PCs.

Some of them do not. I want to be able to open the shared folders from any of these PCs.

Why do they all not appear on every file explorer network section?

How do I get them all to appear.

The network is working as a missing PC can be opened using the \{pcname}{shared folder} in the header bar.

Answer 1

Hi AlanCam,

How is the problem? Please feel free to contact us if there is any progress.

Best Regards,

Manson | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 2

Hi AlanCam,

Thank you for reaching out here at the Microsoft Community.

I have to say there could be many configuration would refer to this issue, but I think we can first confirm these configuration: 

1. Click Start, type "control" and select to open Control Panel.
2. Go to Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings.
3. Under Private network profile, make sure the below options are checked: 
   1. Turn on network discovery
   2. Turn on automatic setup of network connected devices
   3. Turn on file and printer sharing
4. Under All Networks network profile, make sure the below options are checked: 
   1. Turn on Public Folder sharing so anyone with network access can read and write files in the Public folders
   2. Enable file sharing for devices that use 40-bit or 56-bit encryption (If there is any old version Windows in your network)
   3. Turn off password protection sharing (After/if you've tried all other steps in this post but not work)
5. Still in Control Panel, go to Windows Defender Firewall > Allowed apps.
6. Make sure Network Discovery is enabled under Private network profile (checked).
7. In Control Panel, find and click System, click Domain or workgroup, make sure all the computers have the same worgroup name.
8. Reboot your computers so that all the settings can take take effect.

Please feel free to let me know how it goes.

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Best Regards,

Manson | Microsoft Community Support Specialist