How to Fix “Cannot See Shared Folders in Windows 10 PC”

Sharing files and folders over a network is a common task in Windows 10, but sometimes users encounter issues where they cannot see shared folders on their PC. This can be frustrating, especially when you need to access important files from another device. Fortunately, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve this problem.

Check Network and Sharing Center Settings

The first step in troubleshooting shared folder issues is to ensure that your network settings are configured correctly. Here’s how to check and modify the settings in the Network and Sharing Center:

1. Open the Control Panel and select “Network and Internet”.
2. Click on “Network and Sharing Center”.
3. Click on “Change advanced sharing settings” in the left pane.
4. Ensure that “Network discovery” and “File and printer sharing” are enabled for the Private, Guest or Public, and All Networks profiles.
5. Under “All Networks”, make sure “Turn off password protected sharing” is toggled off.
6. Click “Save changes” to apply the new settings.

Check Firewall Settings

Windows Defender Firewall can sometimes block access to shared folders. To ensure that it’s not interfering with your network connections, follow these steps:

1. Open the Control Panel and select “System and Security”.
2. Click on “Windows Defender Firewall”.
3. Click on “Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall” in the left pane.
4. Ensure that “File and Printer Sharing” is checked for both “Private” and “Public” networks.
5. Click “OK” to save the changes.

Update Network Drivers

Outdated or corrupted network drivers can cause issues with accessing shared folders. To update your network drivers:

1. Open Device Manager by pressing the Windows key X and selecting “Device Manager” from the menu.
2. Expand the “Network adapters” category and right-click on your network adapter.
3. Select “Update driver” from the context menu.
4. Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software” and follow the on-screen instructions.

If Windows doesn’t find a newer driver, you can try visiting the website of your network adapter’s manufacturer to download the latest driver.

Check Workgroup Settings

Windows 10 uses a workgroup to organize computers on a network. If your computer is not part of the same workgroup as the computer sharing the folder, you may not be able to see it. To check and modify your workgroup settings:

1. Open the Control Panel and select “System”.
2. Click on “Advanced system settings” in the left pane.
3. Click on the “Computer Name” tab in the System Properties window.
4. Click on “Change” under “Computer Name/Domain Changes”.
5. Ensure that the “Workgroup” field matches the workgroup of the computer sharing the folder.
6. Click “OK” to save the changes.

Use the Local Group Policy Editor

The Local Group Policy Editor can be used to enable the “Enable and secure guest logons” policy, which allows your Windows 10 computer to access network devices using older protocols like SMB v1. Here’s how to use it:

1. Press the Windows key R, type “gpedit.msc”, and hit Enter.
2. Navigate to “Computer Configuration” > “Administrative Templates” > “Network” > “Lanman Workstation”.
3. Double-click on the “Enable insecure guest logons” policy.
4. Select “Enabled” and click “OK” to save the changes.

Close the Local Group Policy Editor and restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Conclusion

Sharing folders over a network in Windows 10 is a convenient way to collaborate with others and access files from multiple devices. However, when issues arise, such as not being able to see shared folders, it can be frustrating. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, such as checking network settings, updating drivers, and using the Local Group Policy Editor, you should be able to resolve the problem and regain access to your shared folders.