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I've got two Windows PCs on the same home network, but I can't see or access files from one on the other. I've made sure network discovery is turned on for both, but it's still not working. What are the correct steps to fix this sharing issue? I need a clear guide to check the firewall, sharing permissions, and any other common settings I might have missed.

Not 100% sure, but Yeah, tbh this is super common. First, double-check that both PCs are on the same network profile (Private, not Public) and maybe try turning file and printer sharing on in the firewall exceptions.

+1 This happened to me. I had to go into the firewall advanced settings and make sure the rules for file sharing were actually enabled for the private network. Good luck!

This is a classic networking headache, but we can usually fix it! Let's go beyond just network discovery with a clear checklist.

**First, verify these core settings on both PCs:**
1. **Network Profile:** Go to **Settings > Network & Internet > Ethernet/Wi-Fi**. Click your connection and ensure it's set to **Private** network, not Public.
2. **Advanced Sharing Settings:** In the old Control Panel, under **Network and Sharing Center > Advanced sharing settings**, ensure **Network Discovery** and **File and Printer Sharing** are turned on *for the Private network*. Also, turn on **"Turn on automatic setup of network connected devices."**

**Next, check the firewall:**
* Search for **"Allow an app through Windows Firewall."** Click "Change settings" and verify both **"File and Printer Sharing"** entries are checked for Private networks.

**Finally, set up the actual share:**
* Right-click the folder you want to share, select **Properties > Sharing > Advanced Sharing**. Check "Share this folder," then click **Permissions**. Ensure "Everyone" or the specific user has at least **Read** access. For more control, also check the **Security** tab in Properties.

**One more thing:** Sometimes a simple restart of both PCs and your router can magically resolve stubborn network issues.

Give these steps a try on both machines and let us know which part you get stuck on—we're here to help you get this sorted

Agreed. I had the same problem. For me, it turned out the network was set to "Public" on one PC instead of "Private," which blocked everything. Let me know if that works.

Agreed. Yeah, that's usually the culprit. Also double-check that both PCs are actually on the same network profile in your firewall settings. Good luck!

+1 You could also verify both computers are in the same workgroup. Another option is to try accessing the other PC directly by typing its IP address into File Explorer's address bar.

You could also double-check that the specific folder you want is actually shared. Another option is to temporarily disable the firewall on both PCs to see if that's the blocker.

+1 Yeah, and if you do test with the firewall off, remember to turn it back on right after to keep things secure.

Agreed. Also, double-check that both PCs are set to the same network profile, like "Private," in your network settings. Hope that helps.