Windows 10 and Windows 8.1 have a new network sharing setting that is not documented by Microsoft. This setting says "Turn on automatic setup of network connected devices" and it is found in the list of advanced sharing settings that are available for private networks. What does this setting mean and what does it do? Should you turn in On or Off? We have done some trial-and-error based experiments and we have finally figured out what it does. Here it is:
Contents
When to find this "Turn on automatic setup of network connected devices" setting
To find this new setting, open the Network and Sharing Center. A quick way to do that is to open the Control Panel and go to "Network and Internet -> Network and Sharing Center". Then, on the column on the left, click or tap "Change advanced sharing settings".
Windows, Advanced sharing settings
Expand the Private network location and, under Network discover, you will find this new setting that says: "Turn on automatic setup of network connected devices".
Windows, Advanced sharing settings
This setting is enabled by default and it is available only for private network locations. To learn more about network locations in Windows and their role, read this guide: What are network locations in Windows?.
What are you turning on when this setting is enabled?
This feature affects the way Windows 10 and Windows 8.1 work with network devices like external hard drives that are connected to the router or to another computer in the network. Such devices can be used by features like File History. This tool can detect hard disks that are attached to other network PCs or devices and use them for backing up your personal files and folders.
Windows, Advanced sharing settings
Also, in File History you can recommend the external hard disk that is connected to your computer as a backup drive that's available to other PCs or devices in your network, with Windows. Therefore, if you have a homegroup at home and only one external hard disk that's connected to one of your computers, you can use that hard disk as a backup location for File History, on all Windows computers that are part of the homegroup. The only condition is for you to use Windows 10 or Windows 8.1 on all your computers and the setting we're talking about in this article, to be enabled.
Windows, Advanced sharing settings
This ability to detect, setup and use network devices is determined by the setting mentioned above: "Turn on automatic setup of network connected devices". If this network sharing feature is enabled, Windows can use these drives and set them up automatically for tools like File History. If it isn't enabled, it won't be able to detect these devices, let alone use them as storage locations in your network.
If you need help with configuring the advanced network settings that are available in Windows, don't hesitate to read this guide: How to customize advanced network sharing settings in Windows.
Conclusion
I hope that you found this guide useful. Personally, I did not understand this new feature and I was annoyed that Microsoft did not document it anywhere. To make things worse, I wasn't able to use File History to backup my files on a hard disk attached to a network computer. All this trouble because of a small setting. 🙂 If you find other uses for this setting and other ways it can negatively affect your networking experience, please share using the comments form below. You will help many other Windows users.
Dealing with a broken screen on your Android phone is a hassle. Although phone screens are pretty tough, one nasty drop can shatter them completely. Given that most people have a lot of irreplaceable content on their phones, it is
In today's world, where information is more accessible than ever before, finding long-lost friends or relatives has become much easier. Online services for finding people provide convenient and effective tools that allow you to restore lost connections.
In the busy software utilities industry, the available uninstallation tools are often overshadowed by more glamorous alternatives. Nonetheless, an excellent way of removing programs on a PC is vital for optimal system performance and the elimination of unwanted applications.
Instructions for creating a Moon phase trend. The Moon trend is extremely popular on TikTok, creating an unprecedented fever. Through Moon phase will help you know the date
How to edit videos posted on YouTube without losing views, You forgot to blur sensitive content in videos posted on YouTube. Don't worry, here's how to adjust it
How to turn on dark mode on TikTok, How to turn on dark mode on TikTok is not difficult. The article will guide you in detail how to change the TikTok interface to black on Samsung
Shirt size chart - How to choose the most accurate shirt size, What is the shirt size chart? Shirt size means only the size and size of the shirt or pants. Shirt size varies according to direction
Instructions for drawing prizes to receive Lucky Money on ZaloPay. Recently, Zalo has launched the program "Amazing lucky money, Happy Spring Luck" taking place from January 29, 2021 to
How to view and recover Microsoft Outlook password, How to view Outlook password on computer is not difficult. This article will guide you how to view and recover Outlook password
Instructions for creating and searching for draft articles on Facebook. Currently, we can save articles that we have created but have not yet posted on Facebook. Here, WebTech360 invites
How to set up LibreOffice Writer to work like Microsoft Word, If you're planning to switch from Microsoft Word to LibreOffice Writer but want a similar experience
Instructions for turning off saving videos on TikTok are extremely simple, to help people block others from downloading and saving their videos simply and easily. So today, WebTech360
Instructions for creating genealogical charts and organizing them on Google Sheets. Google Sheets is an online office application that helps us easily edit online spreadsheets,
How to import and manage multiple email accounts in Gmail, Want to manage all emails in Gmail? Let's learn how to manage and add multiple accounts with WebTech360
Instructions for using Photoshop filters for beginners, Each filter in Photoshop has its own algorithm and uses. Below are instructions for using the internal filter
How to create automatic clicks on Macrorify, Macrorify helps you create automatic click tasks and detect images. In this article, let's find out how with WebTech360
Instructions for remotely logging out of your Instagram account. If you don't know how to remotely log out of your Instagram account, today WebTech360 would like to introduce
Instructions for remotely logging out of Tik Tok account. To help people quickly log out of Tik Tok accounts from other devices, today WebTech360
Instructions for blurring photos on B612. Recently, the B612 application has updated the image blur effect. Next, WebTech360 will introduce the article Instructions for blurring photos
How to fix the error of printing blank pages in Microsoft Excel. Why do some Excel documents not display data or contain blank pages when printed? Below are the reasons
