Windows 8 Networking Woes

cokewithvanilla

New Member
Messages
4
Hello,

I just upgraded 2 laptops to Windows 8 Professional. I have a desktop and a laptop on Windows 7 Ultimate. The desktop is basically a storage server. I have had it networked in windows 7 (no passwords, EVERYONE set to Full Control) for years. I have never had an issue accessing the shared drives. The Windows 8 laptops, using the same settings as the Windows 7 computers work erratically. Sometimes they work, sometimes they ask for passwords, sometimes they don't work. Sometimes I'll access a drive, then wait like 30 minutes and try to access again only to receive the message "Windows cannot access...". More often than not, I cannot share files effectively.

Why is it that Windows 8 cannot see a shared drive when a Windows 7 computer can? Why does a Windows 8 computer, with password protected sharing off ask for a password to a drive on a computer that doesn't even have a password?

Extremely frustrating! I don't know if it matters, but I have disabled UAC in the registry.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell E6510
    CPU
    i5 M 520
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVS 3100M
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 15.6''
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    128GB Samsung 840

    250GB Seagate Momentus 7200.4
In most every case you would be far better served setting up a Homegroup between those machines in order to ease the sharing restrictions on drive sharing.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15824-homegroup-create-windows-8-a.html

You will need to make sure that the C:>Users folder is shared out on all machines through the sharing tab, the process is outlined in the link.

http://www.eightforums.com/network-sharing/20146-shared-default.html

Disabling UAC in the registry shouldn't be required and it may end up causing problems. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
I have shared the Users folder, nothing. I really don't want to have to setup a homegroup. I don't see why I should change my network to work with windows 8... Windows 8 should work with my network... what if I decided to add a linux or mac machine?

I still get the error "The network path was not found". I can ping the IP, no problem. I can access the shared drives from a Windows 7 machine.

I have always disabled UAC... I hope I don't end up having to enable it.

edit: the Windows 7 computers can access the Windows 8 computers, no problem
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell E6510
    CPU
    i5 M 520
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVS 3100M
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 15.6''
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    128GB Samsung 840

    250GB Seagate Momentus 7200.4
I have shared the Users folder, nothing. I really don't want to have to setup a homegroup. I don't see why I should change my network to work with windows 8... Windows 8 should work with my network... what if I decided to add a linux or mac machine?

I still get the error "The network path was not found". I can ping the IP, no problem. I can access the shared drives from a Windows 7 machine.

I have always disabled UAC... I hope I don't end up having to enable it.

edit: the Windows 7 computers can access the Windows 8 computers, no problem

See this post. Message #12 may have the answer you need. If you are getting "now you see it now you don't" with your shares then this is probably the fix for you. Nothing to do with UAC, IPV6, passwords or anything else. There is some kind of bug in the "Computer Browser" service.

http://www.eightforums.com/network-sharing/19707-consistent-temporary-network-error-2.html
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Pro and Windows 8.1 Pro 32 bit and 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo and Dell
    CPU
    Intel i3
~OP:

What you are experiencing is not uncommon. I would do what Chev65 suggests (set up a HomeGroup and share with all HomeGroup members) and, as you may have done, share the contents of each user folder. Also, turn password protected sharing off if it is on for any machine. "Things" just work better having taken these steps given that you don't want any serious access restrictions.

You say "I really don't want to have to setup a homegroup. I don't see why I should change my network to work with windows 8... Windows 8 should work with my network... what if I decided to add a linux or mac machine?"

There is little to do in setting up a HomeGroup. Doing so might get your network working comfortably and with no downside. For example, doing so would have no effect whatsoever on adding a linux or a Mac.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
I have shared the Users folder, nothing. I really don't want to have to setup a homegroup. I don't see why I should change my network to work with windows 8... Windows 8 should work with my network... what if I decided to add a linux or mac machine?

I still get the error "The network path was not found". I can ping the IP, no problem. I can access the shared drives from a Windows 7 machine.

I have always disabled UAC... I hope I don't end up having to enable it.

edit: the Windows 7 computers can access the Windows 8 computers, no problem

Assuming that both machines are in the same Workgroup and that there aren't any third party anti virus's or firewalls involved you should have no problems accessing all files and folders of the entire C:>Users folder and subfolders on both of those machines.

Make sure there are no locks showing up at C:>Users>UserName or any of the subfolders.

Check the settings are same as in the link which also explains how to un-share any of the Users folders.

http://www.eightforums.com/network-sharing/20146-shared-default.html
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
See this post. Message #12 may have the answer you need. If you are getting "now you see it now you don't" with your shares then this is probably the fix for you. Nothing to do with UAC, IPV6, passwords or anything else. There is some kind of bug in the "Computer Browser" service.

http://www.eightforums.com/network-sharing/19707-consistent-temporary-network-error-2.html

Thanks! So far, so good! That's exactly what I was looking for.


Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I just can't, and probably never will bring myself to setup a home group. I like the idea that I can bring any computer into my home and access all my files.... for example, if i am fixing someones computer, or if a friend is over and needs access to my files.

I also can't stand the idea that a Windows 8 computer can not see the files, but a Windows 7 one can... that, to me, makes no sense. Any OS should be able to see my shared drives without a special group thing (my opinion).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell E6510
    CPU
    i5 M 520
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVS 3100M
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 15.6''
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    128GB Samsung 840

    250GB Seagate Momentus 7200.4
See this post. Message #12 may have the answer you need. If you are getting "now you see it now you don't" with your shares then this is probably the fix for you. Nothing to do with UAC, IPV6, passwords or anything else. There is some kind of bug in the "Computer Browser" service.

http://www.eightforums.com/network-sharing/19707-consistent-temporary-network-error-2.html

Thanks! So far, so good! That's exactly what I was looking for.


Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I just can't, and probably never will bring myself to setup a home group. I like the idea that I can bring any computer into my home and access all my files.... for example, if i am fixing someones computer, or if a friend is over and needs access to my files.

I also can't stand the idea that a Windows 8 computer can not see the files, but a Windows 7 one can... that, to me, makes no sense. Any OS should be able to see my shared drives without a special group thing (my opinion).

Workgroup, Homegroup or just plain old file sharing is a personal choice. Whatever fits your needs.

"I also can't stand the idea that a Windows 8 computer can not see the files....."

The key to getting a consistent share is to disable the "Computer Browser" service on the Windows 7 machine. There is a possibility that the bug is in the Windows 7 code and that Windows 8 is not the culprit at all. I didn't need to do anything with my Win 8 installs to get consistent sharing. Just disable the "Computer Browser" service on the Win7 machine and everything was good to go.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Pro and Windows 8.1 Pro 32 bit and 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo and Dell
    CPU
    Intel i3
See this post. Message #12 may have the answer you need. If you are getting "now you see it now you don't" with your shares then this is probably the fix for you. Nothing to do with UAC, IPV6, passwords or anything else. There is some kind of bug in the "Computer Browser" service.

http://www.eightforums.com/network-sharing/19707-consistent-temporary-network-error-2.html

Thanks! So far, so good! That's exactly what I was looking for.
Did the suggested fix work--at least longer than initially?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
Workgroup, Homegroup or just plain old file sharing is a personal choice. Whatever fits your needs.

"I also can't stand the idea that a Windows 8 computer can not see the files....."

The key to getting a consistent share is to disable the "Computer Browser" service on the Windows 7 machine. There is a possibility that the bug is in the Windows 7 code and that Windows 8 is not the culprit at all. I didn't need to do anything with my Win 8 installs to get consistent sharing. Just disable the "Computer Browser" service on the Win7 machine and everything was good to go.



Did the suggested fix work--at least longer than initially?

I figured I would wait before posting that it was solved. I woke up this morning, having not even shut down or put to sleep the two computers and it doesn't work now. I bet if I restart both of them, they will network fine. Yesterday, I disabled Computer Browser on both computers - nothing. Restarted and it worked. I figured I just needed to restart for disabling (which you shouldn't need to do), but that doesn't appear to be the case.

All computers are on the same workgroup, "WORKGROUP" and the 'server' computer has all sharing set up manually, permissions in the sharing tab set to full control EVERYONE, permissions in the security tab set the same way. Password protected sharing off. I've had this setup working for years... only the W8 computers don't work


edit: just to say I did it, I restarted the W8 computer.... and what do you know... networking now works. I wonder what changes when the computer sits for a while.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell E6510
    CPU
    i5 M 520
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVS 3100M
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 15.6''
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    128GB Samsung 840

    250GB Seagate Momentus 7200.4
I have this so called computer browser server enabled on all of my machines but have no file access or slow access problems, this is with a combo of Win 7 and 8 machines. The browser service problem only causes slow network performance on some systems, it has nothing to do with file access or permission problems.

I believe that some people are very confused on exactly how Homegroups works. It doesn't prevent you from seeing other machines connected to your network. When you set up a Homegroup it actually creates a Domain within the Workgroup.

This Homegroup Domain allows for total access of shared folders between all Homegroup machines and total access to all shared folders on all Workgroup machines while preventing other Workgroup machines from gaining access to any folder or library on any of the Homegroup machines unless they are shared with "Everyone" using the Homegroup sharing options per the second link below.

There is also no need to make adjustments to the Security tab on any of the networked machines, only the Sharing tab should be required. If fact messing with the NTFS Security permission settings is not advised and can lead to bigger problems.

As I mentioned before, in a standard Workgroup, the only requirement is to allow for sharing through the C:>Users folder, this will share out every folder in the C:>Users folder with Everyone in the workgroup unless you decide to un-share some of those folders per the second link below.

http://www.eightforums.com/network-sharing/20146-shared-default.html#post192513

To un-share any folder in the C:>Users folder. :)
http://www.eightforums.com/network-sharing/20146-shared-default.html#post192605
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
Just as a shot in the dark try disabling the Power Management feature on ALL of you network adapters both wired and wireless. Device Manager > Click on "Network Adapters" > Right click on your adapter and select properties > Click on the "Power Management" tab and untick "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power." Click OK. Repeat for any other network adapters on ALL machines in your sharing group. Some of these Network adapters go into a sleep mode when idle and there is an outside chance that this is contributing to your problems. You can always go back in and change them back if you don't see any improvement.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Pro and Windows 8.1 Pro 32 bit and 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo and Dell
    CPU
    Intel i3
If you are seeing a network error like "Windows cannot connect to \\XYZCOMPUTER" then the problem is likely the "Computer Browser" service running on your Windows 7 computer that needs to be disabled.

If you are not seeing this network error and simply can't connect to your shares then the problem is most likely in your share settings as described by Chev65 above.

I followed every sharing tutorial here to the "T" several times to make sure I was doing everything correctly but nothing seemed to help until I disabled the "Computer Browser" service on my Win7 computer. After that no more sharing issues. Like everything else your mileage may vary.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Pro and Windows 8.1 Pro 32 bit and 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo and Dell
    CPU
    Intel i3
I have this so called computer browser server enabled on all of my machines but have no file access or slow access problems, this is with a combo of Win 7 and 8 machines. The browser service problem only causes slow network performance on some systems, it has nothing to do with file access or permission problems................

In my case it was no network performance. The only thing I was ever able to see from a Win8 computer was the network error "Windows cannot connect to \\MY_WINDOWS7_COMPUTER". Disabling the "Computer Browser" service on the Windows 7 machine fixed my sharing woes immediately.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Pro and Windows 8.1 Pro 32 bit and 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo and Dell
    CPU
    Intel i3
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