I have Windows 8.1 Pro on my desktop and Windows 8.1 on my laptop on the same network. I have configured Workgroup so that they are visible on the same network with advanced shared folders on each computers. They both show in the Network window.

The wierd thing is that Windows 8.1 allows me to access my Windows 8.1 Pro computer on the network but not vice versa. All settings/configurations are the same on both computers. I have done: ipconfig /flushdns; /release; /renew; and same negative result on accessing my Windows 8.1 computer on the network.

Is there something I am missing here? Could it be that desktop is Pro and laptop is not Pro?

There are two aspect, the visibility and access. Can you reach shared folder from Pro by mapping (net use).

What names have you used, bios one or FQDN? Have you used IPv4 of IPv6? Have you changed configuration of TCP/IP settings? I do not think that your tests have any good reason.

Open firewalls for tests only.

Use network monitor to learn what happens in your network and share your findings here.

M.

Hi,

Are you able to access the share if you connect to the full share path with the share name?
\\computername\share\

Can you ping Windows 8.1 from Windows 8.1 pro?

Run the Shared Folders troubleshooter and let us know what it finds.
Open the start screen and type troubleshooting to search and on the Settings category (to the right), open the Troubleshooting item. Click Network and Internet and then Shared folders and go through the process.