How to Find Other Computers on Your Windows 11 Network
Network discovery in Windows 11 is a built-in feature that lets your computer find other PCs, printers, and devices on your local network. You need Windows 11 version 22H2 or newer and a network set to “Private” for this feature to work properly.
Turning on network discovery makes your PC visible to others and puts nearby devices right inside File Explorer under the Network tab.
Enable Network Discovery and File Sharing in Advanced sharing settings. Ensure your network profile is set to Private in Network & internet settings. Devices will then appear in File Explorer under the Network section.
How to See Other Devices on Your Network in 🪟 Windows 11
Locating other computers on a local network requires a few specific adjustments:
Step 1Make Sure All Devices Are in the Same Workgroup
Windows 11 network computers need to share the exact same workgroup name to see each other. By default, most PCs use WORKGROUP, but you must check this setting on every device to make sure they match. Open Settings , go to System, click About, and choose Advanced system settings to change your workgroup name.
Checking or changing the workgroup involves these actions:
- Click Start and open Settings .
- Go to System About
- Click Advanced system settings on the right.
- In the Computer Name tab, click the Change button.
- Under Workgroup, type the name you want (for example, WORKGROUP).
- Click OK and restart your PC if asked.
Learn more about changing the workgroup:
How to change workgroup in Windows 11
Step 2Set Your Network to Private
Windows 11 network computers cannot see each other if your connection is set to Public. Switching your network profile to Private tells Windows that you trust the local router and allows other devices to spot your PC. Open Settings, select Network & internet, click your active connection, and choose Private.
What this achieves: Mutual visibility opens up between the PC and surrounding network devices.
Switching the network profile to Private takes these steps:
- Click Start and open Settings.
- Go to Network & internet.
- Click on your network name (like your Wi-Fi network).
- Find Network profile type and select Private.
More details here:
Change network profile in Windows 11
Step 3Turn On Network Discovery
Windows 11 network computers stay hidden until you turn on Network Discovery. This feature lets your PC see surrounding hardware and tells other devices that your computer is online. Open Settings, go to Network & internet, choose Advanced network settings, and turn on Network Discovery.
What this achieves: The computer and other devices become mutually visible across the local environment.
Activating this feature requires the following sequence:
- Open Settings.
- Go to Network & internet Advanced network settings Advanced sharing settings
- Find Network discovery and turn it On.
Learn how to do this here:
Turn Network discovery On or Off in Windows 11
Step 4Turn On File and Printer Sharing
Windows 11 network computers need File and Printer Sharing turned on before you can browse shared folders or use networked printers. This setting gives other trusted devices permission to access your shared storage and hardware. Open Settings, go to Network & internet, select Advanced network settings, and turn on File and Printer Sharing.
What this achieves: Local network hardware gains permission to access shared storage and peripherals.
Turning this capability on involves these actions:
- Go to Settings Network & internet Advanced network settings Advanced sharing settings
- Turn on File and printer sharing.
More info:
How to turn File and printer sharing On or Off in Windows 11
Find Devices in File Explorer
Completing these configurations unlocks the Network view inside File Explorer to reveal all connected hardware.
Summary
- Make sure all devices are in the same workgroup.
- Set your network to Private so devices can be found.
- Turn on Network Discovery so devices can see each other.
- Turn on File and Printer Sharing to share files and printers.
- Look in File Explorer under Network to find other devices.
Finding other Windows 11 network computers requires four quick checks. Make sure all devices use the same workgroup, set your connection to Private, turn on Network Discovery, and enable File and Printer Sharing. Once these steps are done, open File Explorer and click on Network to see all connected devices.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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