So we purchased and set up a NAS recently.  It works perfectly and is UNIX based and has SAMBA enabled.  So here's the kicker:

* Windows 7, No issues - NAS pops up under Network automatically. 

* Windows 8.1, It never pops up under Network

Windows 8.1 Troubleshooting

* No Issues for pinging the IP address for the NAS

* No issues for pinging the server name for the NAS

* Turned off the Windows Firewall - Still cannot detect the NAS

* Using the Control Center software for the NAS, it can detect the NAS by IP and server name.  Also via the Control Center (which is an administrative console) I can log in so its not a credential issue)

* Flushed and re-registered DNS, no effect

* Both computers are in WORKGROUP

* Both computers are set for NetBIOS over TCP/IP. 

NOTE: I'm using Windows 8.1 Home so I can't access local policies or connect to a Domain (even if I had one)

There's probably something in Windows 8.1 that I'm missing but I'm just banging my head here.  Help!

Hi,

Are you able to directly access the NAS by typing the ip address or server name in File Explorer?

Under Control Panel\Network and Sharing Center\Change Advanced Sharing settings, make sure to turn on network discovery, file and printer sharing for specific network profile.

Update the driver for network adapte in Windows 8.1.

Have you verified that Network Discovery is on?

Brandon
Windows Outreach Team- IT Pro
Windows for IT Pros on TechNet

Hi there so I've taken a look:

* When I open a command window, I can ping the IP and the computer name of the NAS

* But when I look through a browser\windows explorer\My Computer and punch in an IP or computer name, it can't connect to it.

* Nor does it show up under Network (Places)

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After checking

* Network Discovery is ON

* File and printer sharing is ON

* I've updated the network wireless driver in Windows 8.1 as well - No effect

I know its not a firewall issue as I temporarily disabled the Windows firewall - no effect.  Its not a routing issue since I can ping the NAS from a command windows and my Win 7 box is on the same network as the 8.1 box

Is there some Windows service that is required somewhere?