Network discovery is an important Windows setting for those who want to share files and folders on a network. When it is turned on, your computer becomes visible to others on a network, and they to you.
How to Turn on Network Discovery in Windows 11 [Tutorial]
Knowing how to turn on network discovery is crucial for people who work in groups and in modern workplaces, and for those who simply want to share files between computers without an external drive. Read on to learn all about network discovery: how to turn it on, when to do it, and how to work around some of the issues it can cause.
Security, like many things, is relative. If you and your colleagues at work or school are connected to a shared, private network, turning on network discovery will let you join the party and share files and folders freely. But if you’re at a coffee shop or terminal with other commuters sharing the same Wi-Fi network, turning on network discovery might not be the smartest idea, especially if you have important files set up for sharing. It all comes down to your location and network type. And a little bit of trust.
Knowing the status of network discovery on your computer can be useful for troubleshooting related issues (more on this later). But it’s also a good way to ensure that your computer and its shared files aren’t visible to others on public or untrusted networks. It’s a different story if you want to check if someone else’s computer is discoverable on a network, which also requires you to turn on your own network discovery setting and confirm it.
