I refuse to sell my soul to the network devil!

So hopefully you guys can solve my problem or explain why it is doing what it is/isn't doing.

Problem 1
Two PCs, one running Windows 11, other running Windows 10. Two laptops, again one running Windows 11, other running Windows 10. All fully updated with latest version.
All connected by cable except for one laptop which is connected by WiFi.
PC1 can see and communicate with PC2.
Neither PC1 nor PC2 can see and communicate with each other
L1 and L2 can see and communicate with PC 1 or PC2
Neither L1 nor L2 can see and communicate with each other.
Both L1 and L2 can see and communicate with PC1 or PC2.
All have been setup identically - and re-checked.

Problem 2
The root folders I wish to share are selected using Sharing. Security box is set to System My email address and Administrators. I added Everyone to Security and all permissions and I could see something happening to files and folders. I could then move these files to other machines. But now and then one failed with a message saying no access. Checking that file I saw that Security did not include Everybody. Adding it solved the problem.
Question is why was Everyone applied to most files but not some. And as sometimes there are a few files involved, is there a quick way of adding Everyone. Adding it at top folder level didn't do so.

I should add that give the circumstances of use of these machines, I am not unduly concerned about security.

When a computer doesn't show up in the network I can usually force it to by running the batch file as administrator:

Even though that works it is a hassle to run that every time. Now I don't worry about that and just maintain shortcuts to every computer in a folder on every computer. Note that a shortcut to a computer consists of "\\" + computername. For example, the shortcut to a computer named FIDO is \\FIDO.



Using these shortcuts always works as long as the other computer is turned on and not sleeping. Note that these computers have a mixture of operating systems including Windows XP, 7, 10 and 11. The only thing that doesn't work is the Windows XP computers accessing the share on the other computers in the network. That used to work so I need to fix that.

I have the same username and password on most computers so that simplifies sharing. However, for the computers I don't I have a few folders that have read/write permissions enabled for everyone.

Thanks MisterEd. I'll see if I can implement that. I've never had a need to run batch files so if I find any issues with doing that in respect of this, I'll come back to you.
Thanks again.

Didn't work for me I'm afraid.
As I said, I have not had a need to use batch file before so to check

I created batch file
net stop FDResPub
net start FDResPub
pause

Saved it on my main PC as Archives (name of laptop that isn't showing on my PC when I click Network)
Ran as Administrator \\Archives
Screen switched to DOS - result

C:\Windows\System32>net stop FDResPub
The Function Discovery Resource Publication service is stopping.
The Function Discovery Resource Publication service was stopped successfully.


C:\Windows\System32>net start FDResPub
The Function Discovery Resource Publication service is starting.
The Function Discovery Resource Publication service was started successfully.

Unfortunately still can't see the laptop though the laptop can see the PC and copying files from the PC to the laptop OK. But I had to initiate that copy command on the laptop.

Further help please?

Did you run the batch file on every computer?

No I hadn't but when I did it appeared on the main PC. Going to have to do a bit of trial and error here.
Basically the same batch file has to be run on every machine I want on the network when I switch on.

I've copied the batch file to all machines and running it solves the problem. All 4 can see and talk to each other.
But I am puzzled by the \\ + computer name. Does this allow the batch file on the unseen computer to be run remotely from any one of the other computers. But how can this be if the computer running it can't see the computer?

The batch file works because it restarts the process where each computer announces that it is on the network. This process is supposed to be automatic but seems not work well in Windows 10 and 11. I need to figure out how to automate running the batch file so it starts at an appropriate time. BTW, I didn't come up with this batch file. I borrowed it from someone on TenForums who wrote it as a "fix" for someone having the same problem as you have.

"\\ + computer name". The \\ signifies what follows is a network path. Another example is suppose you have a shared folder on computer Orion called games. The network path would be \\Orion\games. This network path is what you would use in a shortcut. Note you could use the same network path in File Explorer. Open File Explorer and either type or paste the network path in address windows at the top. Hit enter and File Explorer opens at the network location.

I created a folder on my desktop called My Network which contains network shortcuts to all my computers. I placed a copy of the folder on the desktop of all my computers. You might want to do the same so you don't have to worry whether any particular computer shows up in Network or not.

You are never too old to learn, though at 84 I may be pushing it
Thanks.

Odd but I suppose it's the devil in my network.
Following your advice Mister Ed Igot all 4 machines talking to each other, The next day they had fallen out. Using you batch file 3 of them made up and were talking to each other again. No idea why they stopped in the first place.
However, one of them, my main PC will not connect with nor be seen by the other three. Needless to say I have run the batch file, and as it was created on this PC and copied to the others it must correct.
I haven't done anything on the PC other than use the internet, Outlook, Word, etc. No new apps, no changes to system.

One time my main desktop always got an error when I tried to connect to my laptop. My laptop had no problem connecting to all my other computers even the desktop. I tried everything but couldn't solve the problem, I ended up reinstalling Windows 10 on the desktop. That solved the problem.

If you're not concerned about security maybe enabling SMBv1 on both machines will be enough?

On both machines:
Turn Windows Features On or Off>SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support>
Enable> SMB 1.0/CIFS Client
Enable> SMB 1.0/CIFS Server
Reboot