How to Enable Network Discovery on Windows 10 and Windows 11

Network Discovery is a feature in Windows that allows your computer to find other devices on a network and makes it visible to them as well. This is especially useful for sharing files and resources between devices on a local network. In this guide, we’ll walk through how to enable Network Discovery on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Steps to Enable Network Discovery on Windows 10

  1. Open “Network & Internet settings”. To do this, click on the network icon in the lower-right corner of your screen and select “Network & Internet settings”.
  2. Go to the “Status” section and select “Network and Sharing Center”. Scroll down in the Status section and click on “Network and Sharing Center”.
  3. Configure sharing options. From the left-hand menu, select “Change advanced sharing settings”.
  4. Enable Network Discovery. In the settings window, find the “Network Discovery” section and set the switch to “Turn on network discovery”.
  5. Save your changes. Click “Save changes” to activate Network Discovery.

How to Enable Network Discovery on Windows 11

The process on Windows 11 is similar but with a slightly different interface. Follow these steps:

  1. Open Windows Settings. Press Win + I for quick access to settings, then select “Network & Internet”.
  2. Go to “Advanced network settings”. From the left menu, select “Advanced network settings”.
  3. Select sharing options. Look for the “Sharing options” section and select it.
  4. Enable Network Discovery. In the Network Discovery section, set the option to “Turn on network discovery”.
  5. Save your settings. Click “Save changes” to apply your settings.

Security Tips for Using Network Discovery

  • Only use Network Discovery on secure networks, such as your home network. On public or unsecured networks, it’s best to keep this feature disabled.
  • Ensure your firewall and antivirus software are actively protecting your computer.

By following these steps, your computer will be able to see other devices on the network and be accessible to them as well. Now you can easily share files and access network resources!