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
    2015-02-17T21:43:15+00:00

    Hey guys,

    Great news, I found a fix! I realized another problem was related to the problem we all have, and that is that the network location actually doesn't show up at all. So I searched for a solution to that problem, and I found this page: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg252535(v=ws.10).aspx

    The solution is this: remove HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Network\NwCategoryWizard

    The end. Slider is back! :)

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-02-03T17:02:00+00:00

    Well, I am not quite sure what to make about all this.

    On some of my user accounts, I have the FADC option.  On others I don't.  Been through all the firewall settings, Advanced Sharing setting, Network troubleshooting, and my network type is Private.

    If I create a new user account, I can have the FADC option so long as the new user account is an Administrator account.  If I change it to a Standard account, no FADC.

    I tried a system restore to a week or so back, and it made no difference.

    I could always try a refresh or completely blow away the OS, but it isn't worth the trouble.

    Not sure what the FADC does.  I can still find and connect to printers and screen mirroring devices such as my Roku 3 even though I do not have the FADC setting.

    In reading this thread and other related ones found with a web search, this appears to be a well documented problem and Microsoft's only comment is to restore, refresh, blow away the OS, or copy folders to new user account.  Restore and copying folders to new user account not working for me unless again I set the new user account as Administrator.

    My Windows 8.1 appears to be otherwise working fine, so I'm not going to bother with this.

    I have other problems with user accounts awhile back.  Microsoft needs to either resolve these problems with user accounts and not make the account profiles so easily corruptible, or else make it so each device can only have a single account like Apple does.  It is a good idea to have multiple accounts on a single PC, but in Windows 8.1 anyways Microsoft hasn't been able to make this a stable feature.  

    In latest w 10 TP, there is no option for FADC as of yet.  Windows 10 is Microsoft's last chance for Windows to be a viable CONSUMER desktop platform.  If they can't make it easier for the casual user to set up and maintain, then Windows desktop will be relegated to enterprise only. So far Windows 10 looks promising.  Time will tell...

    Update:  Looks like creating a new user account is the solution.  One can copy over their existing user folders to the new account to keep ones data.  There are instructions for how to do this is several places.  FADC also only works in accounts with administrator rights.

    So stop beating your heads against the wall, folks.  Microsoft has weighed in with their response -- create new user account or try a system restore.

    Good day!

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-01-25T14:45:17+00:00

    I have the same problem, need to switch my network from public (as it was auto detected) to private to use homegroup network

    I used the homegroup troubleshooter, it fixed the problem and changed it to Private, which I have no idea what has been fixed and how, this is typical microsoft you do things and just pray it works.

    The issue still outstanding in microsoft's hands, I still do not see the Find devices and content as mentioned above , my Surface Pro has been updated successfully to 8.1 Pro.

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-01-04T14:28:28+00:00

    I have the same problem and tried everything in this thread except reinstalling OS. How disappointing no fix to this from Microsoft.

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