All,

I've spent the last couple of weeks investing a lot of time trying to solve a very frustrating issue that I have on my Windows 8.1 laptop. I'm getting desperate for a solution. I am unable to see other PCs and my NAS under "Network" in explorer. I cannot therefore copy files to and from the NAS or other PCs. The NAS is available under "This PC" network locations as a media device called "WDMyCloud" and also under media devices and storage (same name) and can be accessed. However it can not be accessed via the mapped shares or in explorer. If type the address in 192.168.... into the explorer address bar it goes to the web GUI interface without issue and is also accessible in Twonky. My squeezebox server cannot access the music on the NAS (server sits on the windows 8.1 laptop).

 My windows 7 PC connects fine to the NAS, but not the windows 8.1 laptop. I have also tried different routers (ASUS RT-AC68U and Home Hub5), the problem remains identical, so I assuming it is an issue specific to the windows 8.1 OS?

I'm unable to include screen shots to help until my account is verified, I'll do that as soon as I can.

Any help very much appreciated. I'm getting close to removing and installing Windows 8.1 afresh.

Steve.

Hello Steve,

Please see the below technet link for a similar issue and the possible solutions:

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/6b837cf1-7679-4bcd-a4ea-ae894bc0b973/windows-8-explorer-cannot-see-nas-drive-on-wifi-connected-laptop?forum=w8itpronetworking

In my opinion, if you are accessing the NAS through WiFi, then setting the network type to "trusted" would do the trick. If using wired connection, the registry trick should resolve. Please check the above link for details.

(Please mark as answer if it solves your issue. Please upvote.)

Regards,

Rajesh

Rajesh,

thank you for the reply and assistance. Unfortunately the processes described in the thread you linked have not worked for me. Any other suggestions? Is it worth doing a fresh windows 8.1 install? I'd rather not if there is a simple fix to be had.

Steve.

Hello Steve,

Sorry to hear that the problem still persists.

Please try the steps mentioned in the below link:

http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/549572/why_can_t_access_my_nas_device_from_my_windows_8_1_computer_/

Please make sure that "Find PCs and Devices" option is turned on.

Secondly, please check that on the network adapter (Wifi/LAN which you are using to connect to NAS) has "Client for Microsoft Networks" installed on it. You can check this from Control Panel -> Network and Sharing Center -> Click on the connection type (Wifi or LAN) -> Click Properties.

Lastly, you can try the following:

Open Control Panel -> Device manager -> Select Network Adapters -> Click "View" -> Click Show hidden devices.

Check that only one 6to4 tunnel adapter should be present. If there are more, please delete all 6to4 tunnel adapter except one and reboot to check.

Hope these steps help you.

(Please mark as answer if it resolves you issue).

Regards,

Rajesh

Hello Steve,

What is your current situation?
Is the issue resolved?

Best regards,
Fangzhou CHEN

All,

thanks for taking the time to respond. My current situation has not changed. I've struggled to find time this last few days to look into this further and follow the instructions helpfully posted here. I've now followed the instructions posted above by Rajesh and these are my results:

Find devices and networks is already set to "on".

Second check that on the network adapter (Wifi/LAN which you are using to connect to NAS) has "Client for Microsoft Networks" installed on it. I could not find this option in the list under properties for the network adaptor (see screen shots below if I am allowed to post them).

The last suggestion; I do only have one 6to4 tunnel adapter present.

Any further help much appreciated and I should be able to follow any further suggestions/instructions and post back in a more timely manner. Thanks again.

Steve.

PS I could not post those screen shots - how do I fix that? I need to have my account verified?

• Marked as answer by 2xcess Saturday, January 24, 2015 8:35 PM

Just a bit of added information; the windows 7 machine that can access the NAS and network shares etc does have "Client for Microsoft Networks" installed on it, this suggests that the lack of "Client for

 Microsoft Networks" is the issue with my windows 8.1 machine? How do I go about correcting this? Steve.

  When you look at the properties of the NIC from Networking and Sharing Center, do you not see an entry for Client for Microsoft networks (it is usually the first item)? If it is there, check the box.

Bill, if I understand your question the option is not there at all under the network adapter properties . Steve.

  Then you don't need to look any further for the problem! If you don't have Client for Microsoft Networks, Microsoft networking can't work.

 I have never seen that, so I really have no idea what will fix it. Perhaps someone else does. I would start by checking the device driver for the NIC. Update it if there is a later one available or simply uninstall and reinstall if it is the latest available.

Hello Steve,

If "Client for Microsoft Networks" is missing, please try re-installing it by right-click -> Install on the below inf file:

C:\Windows\inf\netmscli.inf

(It would require a reboot.)

Alternatively, you can install "Client for Microsoft networks" using the below steps:

1) Open Control Panel -> Network and Internet -> Network Connection -> Select Connection (Ethernet or WiFi) -> Click Properties

2) Click "Install" and then "Client." Click "Add," click "Microsoft" and then "Client for Microsoft Windows."

3) Click "OK" twice. Restart the computer to reinstall the component to all network connections.

After reboot, please select "Client for Micoroft Networks" on your NIC properties and see if the problem is resolved.

(Please mark as answer if it resolves as issue. Please upvote if this post is helpful)

Regards,

Rajesh

• Edited by Rajesh Nath Monday, January 26, 2015 1:58 AM Added Method2 for Installation
• Marked as answer by 2xcess Monday, January 26, 2015 10:07 PM

Thanks both,

I seem to be failing to re-install "Client for Microsoft Networks" using the steps above. The first method I end up with a notepad of netmscli.inf and on the second method I get to the -> Network and Internet -> step but then do not see an option for -> Network Connection -> ?

I know I'm doing something wrong somewhere - any added guidance (perhaps try an idiots guide!)

Steve.

All,

It's fixed!!! Re-installing "Client for Microsoft Networks" has given me back full access to my shares and drives. I just went to the network adaptor in use, clicked properties and then followed Rajesh's instructions.

Thank you soooooo much for the help!

Steve.

Hey Steve,

Good to hear your issue is fixed now! Have a nice day!

Rajesh.

Rajesh,

"Client for Microsoft Networks" has disappeared again... I was confident I could resolve this but I don't seem to be able to install C:\Windows\inf\netmscli.inf I had this problem installing the file last time and simply cannot remember how I resolved it in the end. Following the first method I end up with a notepad of netmscli.inf and on the second method I get to the -> Network and Internet -> step but then do not see an option for -> Network Connection -> ? At present when I click on one of the connection properties, then click "Install", then "Client"there are no clients in the box to chose from.

Steve.

Sigh.. worse still it seems that I have managed to overwrite the necessary .inf file messing around trying to install it. If anyone has a copy that would also be appreciated.

Steve.