Included in Windows 11 is an improved Network Discovery a feature that allows Windows computers to find and discover other computers and devices on a network. When you’re connected to a private network, like your home or workplace, the discovery feature is automatically turned on. On public networks like guest Wi-Fi or networks that are not trusted, it is disabled so that other machines are not automatically discovering your devices. In some instances, Network Discovery is disabled in private networks as well, and won’t automatically allow other machines to be discovered. If that’s the case and you wish to enable it, the steps below should help you. To get started with enabling or disabling Network Discovery in Windows, follow the steps below:
Enable Network Discovery in Windows 11
If your Windows devices are not able to see or discover each other on your private network, it might likely be that Network Discovery is disabled. To enable Network Discovery, continue below. Windows 11 has a centralized location for the majority of its settings. From system configurations to creating new users and updating Windows, all can be done from its System Settings pane. To get to System Settings, you can use the Windows key + I shortcut or click on Start ==> Settings as shown in the image below: Alternatively, you can use the search box on the taskbar and search for Settings. Then select to open it. Windows Settings pane should look similar to the image below. In Windows Settings, click Network & internet, then select Ethernet on the right pane of your screen shown in the image below. In the Ethernet settings pane, under Network profile type, choose Private. This profile will allow devices in your network to be discovered. This profile should also be selected if you need file sharing or use apps that communicate over this network. The private profile is suitable for homes, workplaces, and networks that are trusted. If you have other networks like Wi-Fi (if you’re connected to a wireless network) or Ethernet (if you’re connected to a network using a network cable), you can also set the profile type to Private. When you’re done, exit and network discovery should be enabled.
Turn on Public Folder Sharing in Windows 11
Use the steps below to set up file sharing. Windows 11 has a centralized location for the majority of its settings. From system configurations to creating new users and updating Windows, all can be done from its System Settings pane. However, changing the account username is still done in the old Control Panel. To get to Control Panel, you can click on Start and start typing Control Panel as shown in the image below: In the Control Panel, select Network and Internet as highlighted in the image below. On the next pane, select Network and Sharing Center as highlighted below. Next, select Change advanced sharing settings as highlighted below. In the Advanced sharing center, select Private (current profile) and Turn on file and printer sharing. Save your changes and exit. On the same Advance sharing options page, scroll down All networks. There you should see settings for Public folder sharing, Media streaming, File sharing connections, and Password protected sharing. Windows should automatically turn on file and printer sharing in private networks. However, in some instances, this will not be enabled. If you can not automatically find printers and shared resources in your private network, then the File sharing option may be disabled. If you enable password-protected sharing, only people who have accounts on the local computer or in the domain environment will be able to access shared files and printers. Make your changes and save, then exit.
Turn on File Sharing from Command Line
The settings above can easily be done using the commands below when run as administrator. You must open the command prompt as administrator to run the commands above. Update: A commenter mentioned below to enable SMB 1.0 / CIFS File Sharing support in the Control Panel, under Programs and Features ==> Turn Windows features on or off. Below is how to enable additional features in Windows 11. Turn Windows features On or Off in Windows 11 Conclusion: This post showed you how to enable Network Discovery and File and printer sharing in Windows 11. If you find any error above, please use the form below to report.
