When Network discovery is Off, Network Computers and devices must not be listed when clicking on Network icon?

Hi,

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Community.

The issue might be due to network discovery in startup items. Follow below steps and check if the issue persist

Step 1: I would suggest you to boot computer in safe mode with Networking and check if issue persist.

Safe mode is useful for troubleshooting problems with programs and drivers that might not start correctly or that might prevent Windows from starting correctly. Safe mode starts Windows with a limited set of files and drivers.

Please refer below link on how to boot computer in safe mode.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-computer-safe-mode#start-computer-safe-mode=windows-7

Note:  To exit from safe mode, restart your computer and let the Windows start normally.

Step 2: If the computer works fine in safe mode with networking, perform a clean boot

Putting your system in Clean Boot state helps in identifying if any third party applications or startup items are causing the issue. You need to follow the steps from the article mentioned below to perform a Clean Boot.

How to perform a clean boot in Windows

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Note: After troubleshooting, refer to this section "How to reset the computer to start normally after clean boot troubleshooting".

Hope this information is helpful. Please post back with the status of the issue and we will be glad to assist you further.

Thanks a lot,

Yes, it presists in the safe mode.

With respect to the a clean boot in Windows, I don't think this will do anything at all since I really did this many times, and no thing was there which was helpful.

I'd think really that a clean boot in Windows is silly thing.

Hi,

Try to turn off network discovery in Administrative command prompt and check if it helps.

Follow below steps to do so,

1. Press “Windows + X” and select Command prompt (Admin).

2. Type the following command and Enter

   netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group="Network Discovery" new enable=No

3. Exit from the command prompt

If the issue still persist check in a new user account.

Refer below link on how to create new user account

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-user-account#create-user-account=windows-7

Post back with result so that we can assist you further.

Hi,

Try to turn off network discovery in Administrative command prompt and check if it helps.

Follow below steps to do so,

1. Press “Windows + X” and select Command prompt (Admin).

2. Type the following command and Enter

   netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group="Network Discovery" new enable=No

3. Exit from the command prompt

If the issue still persist check in a new user account.

Refer below link on how to create new user account

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-user-account#create-user-account=windows-7

Post back with result so that we can assist you further.

Thanks a lot,

I have tried the command, but it still persists.

I have tried creating a new admin user account, but the same problem persists with the new use account.

I really got perplexed about this problem

By the way, when clicking on "windows +x', this screen shot show me. No choice of selecting  select Command prompt (Admin).

 As long as Network discovery is Off, then do you think when I opened the Network icon on the other laptop(even if wireless router was setup on it), I must not have found   Network Computers and devices were listed at all. I.e. I must find this network shown as in the screen shot below?

Hi,

Did you check if the issue persist in new user account? If you have not please check with new user account and post back with result.

When the Network discovery is off you will not see any Network devices and computer, it will be same as of the screen shot in your response.

Thanks a lot,

Yes, I have checked that with the new user account, and unfortunately, the problem, as said in my previous post, is still persisting. I really got perplexed.

Hi,

Follow below steps and check.

1. Click on start and type cmd in search tab
2. Right click on cmd and Choose run as administrator
3.  Type in the command:

          netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group="Network Discovery" new enable=No

If the issue still persist  Run the network troubleshooter

This troubleshooter will automatically detects and fix issues with Networks.

Refer below link for more information

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Using-the-Network-troubleshooter-in-Windows-7

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Open-networking-troubleshooters

Hope this information is helpful. Please do let us know if you need further assistance, we’ll be glad to assist you.