Network Problems (Windows ®)
Function Discovery Resource Publication
Windows XP ® Computers are invisible on the Local Network
Network Computers cannot connect to Windows 10 server
These are often a nightmare! But maybe you know more about them than I do. Most of the problems described here were caused by Windows updates! I don't know anything about Linux servers except that they are free and allow unlimited connections, but here is a link that might help.
Basic setup
1) Open Settings.
2) Click on Network & Internet.
3) Click on Network and Sharing Center.
4) Click on Change advanced sharing settings.
5) Enable Network discovery. Enable File and printer sharing …
6) In All Networks. Click on Turn off password protected sharing.
Function Discovery Resource Publication
This service allows users on a network to view a connected computer. Microsoft decided to stop it after a Windows 10 update! So if there are Windows 10 computers on your network that are no longer visible, modifying this service could solve the problem. Follow these instructions.
Right click on the Windows icon in the lower left corner of the screen. Then click on Computer Management.
You will see this window. Double click Services and Applications.
You will see this list (screenshot of French version of Windows 10).
Double click on it. In the window below, you should select Automatic. Automatic (delayed start) will not solve the problem.
Click on OK and this computer should be visible on the network again.
I found this information here. In the video it talks about four services, but in my case the others were not a problem.
Windows XP ® Computers are invisible on the Local Network
Right click on the Windows icon in the lower left. Then click on Programs and Features.
Click on Programs and Features here.
Click on Turn Windows Features on or off.
Then enable SMB 1.0/CIFS File sharing support.
Now the XP computers should be visible or if not maybe after a reboot.
Network Computers cannot connect to Windows 10 server
You have followed the instructions above but the XP computers or others still cannot connect to the server. If you are using Windows 10 ® as a server this process may solve the problem. You need to know the LAN ip addresses of the computers. You can either get the complete list from your router using the supplier's instructions or you can get the ip address of each individual computer like this: press on Windows key + R. Type cmd in the run dialogue box that appears.
A black window will appear. Type ipconfig in this (screenshots of French version of Windows).
The following information should appear.
Copy the Ipv4 address, 192.168.1.16 in this example. Then open Settings:
Click on Update & Security.
Then click on Security (The screenshots below show the French version of Windows ®).
Then on Firewall.
Then on Advanced Settings.
This panel appears. Click on Connection Security Rules. Then on New rule.
Click on Authentication exemption.
Enter the ip address of the computer trying to connect to this computer. Or maybe a set of addresses.
Then select the appropriate network (probably Private).
Save your new security rule with a name of your choice and the connection problem should be solved.
Standard Windows Account
After you have resolved the above-mentioned issues and others, you should test the system with a standard account. If you are lucky or an expert, it may work. I had problems. I created a shared folder as explained in the installation file.
No problem with an administrator account, but the standard user could not access the folder. In desperation I created a network drive for this account but with administrator rights.
It is not an ideal solution because the user can meddle with the program files. But it was accessible. I erased it. The next time I opened the account miraculously the standard user could access the shared folder! If you can't find a better solution, you can try this one too!