Windows does not limit File Explorer’s network discovery to Wi-Fi. Ethernet-connected PCs can also be discoverable, but the active network profile, sharing settings, discovery services, firewall policy, and network configuration all affect what appears. If a computer is missing from File Explorer’s Network view, test whether you can open a known shared folder before assuming the share itself is unavailable.
Why a PC may appear on Wi-Fi but not Ethernet
File Explorer’s Network list depends on Windows network discovery, not just on whether a connection is wireless. Windows 11 provides network-profile settings for both Wi-Fi and Ethernet. A Public profile hides the PC from other devices; a Private profile allows discovery and file and printer sharing on a network you trust. Microsoft’s network settings guidance does not describe discovery as Wi-Fi-only.
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That does not identify the cause on any particular PC. The two connections could have different profiles, firewall rules, network policies, or network paths. A guest network, VLAN, VPN, managed-device policy, or the target computer’s age and protocols may also affect communication. Diagnose visibility separately from access to a shared folder.
Set the active connection’s profile to Private only on a trusted network
- Open Settings > Network & internet.
- Select the active connection: Wi-Fi and its connected network, or Ethernet.
- Find Network profile type and select Private if this is a trusted home or work network and the PC needs to be discoverable.
Microsoft describes Public as the recommended choice for most situations because it hides the PC from other devices and prevents using it for file and printer sharing. Private makes the PC discoverable and permits sharing; use it only when you know and trust the network’s users and devices. Microsoft Support explains the profile differences.
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Enable discovery and sharing for the intended purpose
- Go to Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings.
- Under the applicable profile, turn on Network discovery if you want other devices to find this PC in File Explorer.
- Turn on File and printer sharing only if this PC is meant to offer folders or printers to other devices.
Network discovery controls whether devices can find one another for browsing; file and printer sharing controls whether this PC offers shared resources. The settings are related, but seeing a computer in the Network list does not by itself prove that a particular folder is shared or that you have permission to open it. Microsoft’s shared-folder troubleshooting guidance covers these Windows settings and related checks.
If the PC is still missing, check discovery services
Microsoft names four services involved in network visibility:
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- SSDP Discovery
- UPnP Device Host
Check these services using Microsoft’s version-appropriate instructions for the Windows release in use. Service startup behavior can differ by Windows version or be controlled by organizational policy, so do not assume that changing every service to the same startup setting is appropriate. Microsoft lists the services and troubleshooting steps.
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If you know the computer name and share name, try entering the share’s UNC path in File Explorer’s address bar in this form: \ServerNameShareName. You can also connect from Command Prompt using Microsoft’s documented form:
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net use <DeviceName>: \<ServerName><ShareName>Replace the example names with the actual device, server, and share names. You may need valid credentials, and the target must be online with the share configured and permissions granted. If direct access works while the Network list remains empty, the problem is browsing or discovery rather than necessarily the share’s availability. If direct access fails too, check the target, share path, permissions, and network or firewall connectivity. Microsoft documents direct connection troubleshooting; its Windows file-sharing guidance also explains sharing basics.
Keep the firewall on and check policy-specific rules
Do not turn off Windows Firewall as a general test or fix. Microsoft says Windows Firewall opens the appropriate ports when sharing or discovery is enabled; disabling the firewall can leave the PC vulnerable. If a third-party firewall is installed, or a work or school policy manages network traffic, check that product’s or administrator’s rules for discovery and file sharing instead. Microsoft’s Windows Firewall guidance describes its role, and its network troubleshooting steps discuss sharing-related firewall behavior.
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Use legacy-protocol advice only when the target calls for it
Modern Windows discovery and older device compatibility are not the same problem. Microsoft’s Windows 11 community guidance notes mDNS and says older Windows or legacy, non-Windows devices may depend on protocols such as UPnP, NetBIOS, or LLMNR. That guidance concerns compatibility with older endpoints; the device’s age and supported protocols matter.
Microsoft’s troubleshooting page includes enabling the SMB 1.0 client among possible steps, but that is not evidence that SMB 1.0 is required for modern Windows discovery or a safe general-purpose fix. Do not enable it simply because a PC is absent from File Explorer. Investigate legacy settings only when the target device’s documentation or age gives a specific reason, and follow current Microsoft security guidance. Microsoft’s troubleshooting page lists the legacy step in context.
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What each test tells you
| Observation | What it points to | Next check |
|---|---|---|
| PC is absent from Network, but a known UNC path opens | The share is reachable; browsing or discovery may be the remaining issue. | Review the profile, discovery setting, named services, and firewall policy. |
| PC is absent and a known share path fails | Discovery is not the only possible issue; the share, permissions, target availability, or network path may also be involved. | Confirm the server and share names, credentials, target status, and relevant firewall or network policy. |
| Wi-Fi works but Ethernet does not | The connection-specific profile or network path may differ; this symptom alone does not prove an Ethernet limitation. | Compare the active profile and discovery settings, then consider managed policies, VPN, guest-network, or VLAN separation. |
These checks narrow the layer at fault; they do not establish a universal cause. Without details such as the Windows build, network topology, VPN state, firewall management, and target-device protocols, a specific diagnosis cannot be confirmed.
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