Missing Network Settings - "Find Devices and Content"

Anonymous
2013-11-29T13:30:12+00:00

Windows 8.1 -Under all my various network adapters there is no  "Find Devices and Content" box.

I've tried various fixes. Changing homegroup etc. Nothing work.

Please provide some guidance

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2014-01-11T17:54:45+00:00

I am not sure if everyone is checking at the right place if they are connected to domain network and they have 8.1 because only 8.1 has this option. Windows 8 has a different way to share devices and content.

For chromecast troubleshooting:

https://support.google.com/chromecast/troubleshooter/2995236?hl=en&ref\_topic=3447927#ts=3081637,3249450

Where to find the option to share:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/turn-sharing-on-or-off

I have been using Windows since forever and have used Apple too, so switching to Mac / Apple is not going to help. Its just another OS with the same fundamentals. Go figure it out in a Apple store if you want a demo.

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-05-25T19:23:50+00:00

    I was able to make the "Find devices and Content" re-appear by following the this Microsoft article in reverse

    https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg252535(v=ws.10).aspx

    The article describes how to make that setting disappear for enterprise admins but essentially I had to delete the registry folder 

    "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Network\NewNetworkWindowOff"  

    The existence of that folder in your registry will block the setting from appearing.   I think one of the many programs I installed put that registry key there. 

    If you don't have the folder "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Network\NewNetworkWindowOff" you may want to check the second half of that tech article "to turn off the network location Wizard for the current user" and see if you have the registry keys it describes.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-11-09T23:57:02+00:00

    I was having this same issue on Windows 10 Pro and finally found the answer, which I'm not crazy about.  I'm posting the answer here because this thread is a top search return.

    If you have User Account Control (UAC) set to "Always Notify," Find Devices and Content is not available.  This is a pretty bad flaw in logic.  UAC shouldn't interfere with this setting. 

    To bring back Find Devices and Content, I had to reduce my UAC setting to the default level, "Notify me when apps try to make changes to my computer," to bring back the option.  No other solution worked for me.

    Good luck!

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-12-11T17:15:04+00:00

    Mr. Microsoft Support Engineer.

    I too have this problem and you said you would be happy to reply to Richard, which you have not.

    Looking forward to your promised followup.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-11-30T05:45:15+00:00

    Hi Richard,

    1.      Are you connected to a domain network?

    2.      Are you using a work laptop?

    You may try these steps and check if it helps.

    1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.

    (If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)

    1. Tap or click Network, tap or click Connections, and then tap or click your network connection. (You may also click Workplace and change the settings accordingly.)
    2. Turn on Find devices and content.

    For more information, refer to the link.

    **Find PCs, devices, and content on your network**  

     Please post back the results and we will be happy to assist you further.

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