Enable Network Discovery and File Sharing on Windows

This guide intends to teach you to Enable or Turn on Network Discovery and File Sharing on Windows 10 / Windows 11.

Network discovery is the process that allows computers and devices to find one another when they are on the same network. It is the initial step system administrators take when they want to map and monitor their network infrastructure. This process is sometimes also referred to as topology discovery.

When connected over a local network, network discovery enables network devices to connect and communicate with the other devices connected to the same network. This allows system administrators to locate devices with ease. With this ability to quickly locate devices on a large network, system admins can then gain better control over infrastructure, create device inventories, and enforce better device-access policies.

Steps To Enable Network Discovery and File Sharing on Windows

To complete this guide, you must log in to your Windows Client (Windows 10 or Windows 11) and follow the steps below.

Change Network Profile to Private on Windows

First of all, you must change your Network profile to private. To do this, open your Windows settings by pressing Win key + I, and from there click on Network & Internet.

Windows Network and Internet

Then, click on the Properties button below the active network interface (labeled as Ethernet or Wi-Fi).

Network interface properties

Under the Network profile, switch to the Private profile. This will be used so that your PC is discoverable and can be used for printer and file sharing if you set it up.

Set network profile to Private on Windows

Now follow the steps below to turn on the Network discovery.

Turn on or Enable Network Discovery on Windows

At this point, you can enable your network discovery from the network sharing center.

First, from your search bar search for the control panel and open it.

Open control panel

Then, navigate to the Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.

Network and Internet Control panel
Network and sharing center

From there, click on the Change Advanced Sharing Settings link on the left.

Change advanced sharing settings for enabling network discovery and file sharing

Under the Private network section, Turn on network discovery.

Also, choose Turn on file and printer sharing.

Enable network discovery and file sharing

Finally, click Save Changes.

After enabling Network Discovery, you should see the shared computers and devices on your network under the Network Section of File Explorer.

Turn off Network Discovery on Windows

To turn off the network discovery, you just do the previous steps and from there that you turn it on, click on the turn-off button, and save changes.

Conclusion

At this point, you have learned to Enable or Turn on Network Discovery and File Sharing on Windows 10 / Windows 11.

Hope you enjoy it. You may be like these articles on the orcacore website:

Disable and Enable Superfetch on Windows

Install and Configure MAMP on Windows 11

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