Network file sharing not working between Windows 11 & Windows 10

Hi,

I used a NET USE DOS command: NET USE z: \10.20.30.40\Documents for consistent access.

I can also browse \10.20.30.40\Documents in the file browser.

I believe the failure is in the way Windows 11 uses DNS, from what I'm seeing. Once you browse to the Win 11 machine from Win 10, the IP address then displays in the network browsing tree, at least temporarily, but you still cannot use the PC's named entry in the tree to access the share.

Because my Win 10 PC is a work PC, I cannot edit the HOSTS file. I wonder if that wouldn't work for this issue.

This may be getting long in the tooth, but I have a way to make this work on my Network of 10 machines...:
:: NOTE: Be aware that by changing these settings may not be what your organization wants, but as I'm a home user this works great for me...

Windows 11 Control for Network Sharing - - Using Net Use X: <Shared Net Drive/Folder> e.g. echo .Net Use O:&IF NOT EXIST "O:" (Net Use O: \yourmachine\OneShare /Y)

Method: Provide permissions through settings. Open Control panel using either control -OR- Rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL

Control panel -> Network and sharing center -> Change advanced sharing settings ->

"Under the heading: Change sharing options for different network profiles"

-> Private v (Expand) -> [Network Discovery] - Turn on Network Discovery and check Turn on automatic setup of network connected devices.

-> Private v (Expand) -> [File and Printer Sharing] - Turn on File and Printer Sharing.

-> Guest or Public v (Expand) -> [Network discovery] - Turn on Network Discovery.

-> Guest or Public v (Expand) -> [File and Printer Sharing] - Turn on File and Printer Sharing.

-> All Networks v (Expand) -> [Public folder sharing] - Turn on sharing so anyone with network access can read and write files in Public folders....

-> All Networks v (Expand) -> [Media streaming] - Local Network Firewall stuff to allow Media, TV and other devices.. I've left this alone unless you need to stream something...

-> All Networks v (Expand) -> [File sharing connections] - Use 128-bit encryption to help protect file sharing connections (recommended).

-> All Networks v (Expand) -> [Password protected sharing] - Turn off password protected sharing. [ <-- This is where the main issues come from...]

--> Save changes.

Save Changes - May need a re-boot...

Windows 10 Control for Network Sharing

Turn on network discovery. -> Turn on file and printer sharing. ->

Allow windows to manage home group connection(recommended).

Method: Turn on SMB feature.

appwiz.cpl -> 'Turn Windows Features On or Off' -> Check scroll to SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support.

TAKEOWN /F<Your Drive.. X:> /R /D Y /SKIPSL

Icacls <Your Drive.. X:> /INHERITANCE:e /GRANT:r %UserName%:(F) /T /C

I can ping the Windows 11 machine from all of the Windows 10 systems, but that's about as much connectivity I get.

Island fishing, when you say Ping, are you using the Name, or the IP?

I have found that using the IP seem to work for me. e.g. \111.222.333.444&lt;sharename>

I then map a drive using the NET USE DOS command.

Same here... Windows 11 laptop can access all of the Windows 10 shares on various PCs, but not the other way round.

I can 'see' the Windows 11 machine in Windows Explorer in all the Windows 10 machines, but when I click or try to open it, it thinks for about 20 seconds, then pops up with an error window (see below) - "SurfaceGo2" is the offending Windows 11 machine.

I've tried every supposed 'fix' I've found online, but nothing helps.

I can ping the Windows 11 machine from all of the Windows 10 systems, but that's about as much connectivity I get.

There is obviously an issue with Windows networking.

<sigh>

Mike.