Network discovery allows a Windows 10 PC to find certain computers and devices on a local network and, when sharing is configured, to be discoverable by them. Enable it only on a network you trust, such as your private home or controlled office network.
Make sure the network is treated as private
Windows applies different sharing behavior to public and private network profiles. A coffee shop, hotel, airport, or other untrusted network should normally remain Public rather than being changed to Private merely to make discovery work.
Turn on network discovery
- Open the Windows network and sharing settings.
- Open the advanced sharing options available in your Windows 10 build.
- Under the Private network profile, enable Network discovery.
- Enable file and printer sharing separately only if you actually need it.
- Save the change.
Discovery and file sharing are different
Seeing another computer on the network does not automatically grant access to its files. Shares, Windows credentials, NTFS permissions, firewall rules, and organization policy still control access.
If devices do not appear
Verify that both devices are on the intended local network and private profile. Check firewall settings, required Windows services, router client isolation, VPN connections, and whether the other device supports the discovery protocol you expect.
Do not disable the firewall
Turning Windows Firewall off broadly is not an appropriate fix for discovery. Use the Windows sharing controls and narrowly scoped firewall rules created for the feature.
Older SMB advice can be unsafe
Do not enable obsolete SMB1 merely because an old device or tutorial says it is necessary unless you fully understand and accept the security risk. Replacing or updating equipment that requires obsolete protocols is preferable.
Windows 10 support status
For network discovery, remember that Microsoft ended standard Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
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