Win10 can't connect to Win8.1 but Win8.1 can connect to Win10

Think this is designed to make sure users go crazy.

My primary need for network connections and file sharing between these two computers is to sync files so that I can work seamlessly on either computer...

So, I just ran my file sync software on the Win8.1 computer (which always works when the Win10 computer is turned on) completed the file sync, then climbed two flights of stairs (I'm getting too old for this) to the Win10 computer, clicked on the shortcut for the Win8.1 computer and had an immediate connection.

Perhaps the step that I missed was logging in as admin, then relogging in as the non admin user, but I didn't run a file transfer or file sync before I returned to the Win10 computer.  In most cases, rebooting does not prevent subsequent reconnections to the Win8.1 computer from the Win10 computer.

If history holds, I will now be able to connect from the Win10 computer until something such as a windows update runs a reboot.  Just updated my "tips" file to include this step next time.

Beverly Howard

>> I hope that leads to a solution <<

yep, been there before and this is not a homegroup issue... don't have homegroup on the Win8.1 computer.

I am pretty sure that this is a user rights issue since (for security reasons) the normal login on the Win8.1 computer is as a non-admin user.  There appears to be a glitch where the Win10 os "assumes" that non admin users are to clueless to know what a file transfer is.

Ironically, I had no problems with file transfers to and from the other win8.1 computer on this network, but that box is now gone.

...and, as mentioned, I had the ability to share files in both directions the day before I posted my last cry for help on April 10.

Will keep trying combinations.  Thanks for the response,

Beverly Howard

I think StephenHayward26 was referring to this...

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/homegroup-removed-from-windows-10-version-1803-07ca5db1-7bca-4d11-68a3-a31ff4a09979

HomeGroup removed from Windows 10 (Version 1803)

I hope that leads to a solution & gets you off McCartney's long & winding road. Have you run into him yet?

This problem is back and, unfortunately, the steps that I posted on 1/31/21 are now not resolving the issue.  As posted previously, none of the other suggestions and steps in this thread have worked.

Yesterday, I was able to connect the Win10 to the win8.1 computer and view, transfer files, open, save to, etc, etc, but no way at the moment.

As mentioned, I can connect from the Win8.1 computer to the Win10 and have a fully functional network connection FROM the Win8.1 computer.

Any more thoughts?

Thanks in advance,

Beverly Howard

Your problem is the same as mine, any update which is pushed onto your machines turn SMB back OFF as it seems Microsoft will not let us have home networking