I just finished installing the RC of Windows 7 this morning. The first thing I saw was that my network connectivity was "Internet only" on my home network. I tried accessing my networked computers, since they did show up in my network places. Clicking on them led to an error: "The network path cannot be found." I tried everything I could think of to access these two other computers; I disabled all the firewalls, made sure NetBIOS was enabled, turned off IPv6 support, lowered the encryption standard, and still nothing worked. When I ping the computers with their names, they come up just fine. But I cannot type \\COMPUTER\ into Explorer and access the machine. If I get a little more crafty and type in its ip address, \\192.168.1.105\, then I am presented with the normal password dialog box and I can get into the machine like I normally would. However, this is really annoying. Does anyone know of a way to fix this problem?

it does work.I have it setup just as stated in the posting hereI can not think of anything I had to do special but will go back over it and post back

Hi, This issue occurs if "Network Discovery" is not enabled. Is your computer in your own house? If so, I suggest that you launch "Control Panel"\"Network and Sharing Center", set your computer location as "Home network". The advanced sharing settings will be changed as the default setting of "Home network". In this case, "Network Discovery" is enabled. You could also click "Change advanced sharing settings" and enable "Network Discovery". If the issue still occurs, please let us know if you can see other computers in "Network" in Windows 7 RC, and if this computer could be seen and accessed properly from other computers.Arthur Xie - MSFT

Yes, network discovery is enabled, as is file sharing. My network is set up as a home network. When I open the network, I see three machines, including the one I am currently. When I try to access one of those other machines, however, I get the error "Windows cannot access \\COMPUTER_NAME" However, if I would type in that computer's IP address into the address bar, \\192.1681.105\, then I get the regular network browsing window. From any of the other two machines, I can access the Windows 7 client over the network without any problem.

It seems that the DNS for this computer does not work. Please check related settings. 1. Click Start. Enter ncpa.cpl in Start Search box. 2. Right click on the connection you are using, choose Properties. 3. Double-click on the IPv4 protocol. 4. Make sure that IP address and DNS server are set to obtain automatically. 5. If the DNS is already obtained automatically, I suggest that you choose "Use the following DNS server address", and enter the address of your router. Please check the result. If the issue still occurs, check the hosts file. 1. Click Start, type drivers in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.2. Click the entry for drivers that is displayed in the search results. The icon next to drivers will be a folder.3. A window appears that will display Windows > system32 > drivers in the address bar at the top. Double-click the etc folder.4. Locate and right-click the hosts file, and then click Rename.5. Type oldhosts, and then press ENTER. If you receive the following error message click Continue:6. You need to confirm this operation.7. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.8. Restart the computer to make sure that the change takes effect.Arthur Xie - MSFT

My DNS server was already set as my router, and my IP has always been static.I tried removing my hosts file, and that didn't make a bit of difference. The error still occurs.I have found a minor work-around. By adding my machine's names into the lmhosts file, I can now access them by typing \\COMPUTER_NAME\ into the address bar. However, the network icon still throws the same error when I click on it. Another problem is that these IP address arestatic in the lmhosts file, butthey are assignedby the router. It also doesn't allow me to add/change the machine set on the network.

How does it work when you set to obtain IP address and DNS server automatically?Arthur Xie - MSFT

I don't know why, but after some time, clicking on the network icon led to the computer as it normally should. However, the otherproblems still stand.I tried getting everything from the router, and that made no difference (I even removed my custom lmhosts entries, just in case).

Hi Gentlemen, I experienced the same problem. However, some days ago everything worked fine. All PC are Windows 7 RC1. I did not install any software.I have a desktop pc who can still access my NAS - Thecus 4100pro (same user & password) through the Iconon the Network panel. . But on my portable, some days ago, suddently it says "Windows cannot access \\N400PRO. Thorugh a browser, I can still access the NAS using the IP-adress.There must be some bug somewhere, but find a turn-around???Keep me posted in case you know something usefull?Regards,Matthias

Dears, I founded a turn-around by updating the HOSTS file with the name of the NAS & the IP-Adress. This might only help if you have a static adress asigned.I do not like it, but it works. It seems that Windozws 7 RC1hassome problem with the name resolution. However, Windows troubleshooter does not indcate any problem.Kind regards,Matthias

It can work easily enough, if you reserve that IP in the router for the NAS.

Thank you, Mattias. I've just been networking my two new WIN 7 machines and ran into this same problem. Your workaround did the trick! Mike

I have also found a solution to this problem and it involves designation of networks as Public though Network and Sharing Center indicates a Home or Work Network (Private Network). Open Control Panel and select Administrative Tools. Open Local Security Policy and select Network List Manager Policies in the left pane. In the main view, right click your network and select Properties. Select the Network Location tab and change the Location Type to Private. I don't know why this option does not change when it is updated in Network and Sharing Center, but it solved all my sharing and network problems. Chris Haakenstad

Hello Matthias, I have the same problem I think. I know where the hostfile is on my computer but do not know how to add the NAS and Ip-adress. Can you give me an exemple please? Thanks Sjoerd

Hi, Thank you for sharing this very important solution. I run Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit. I was having the same problem, sometimes I could not find the network computers, I followed your solution and it worked for me as a charm. Thank You Once again.

The solution offered by KadenWI works like a charm. No workaround, no reboot. T H A N K Y O U!!!!!