Small update - if set to Private I see every computer in the house that is on.  Private is spotty.

Yeah, I've found Win 11 Home is VERY finicky when trying to network. It's a lot of trial and error and pulling my hair out until I find the right setting. Here's some tips from GPT:

Windows 11 Home's handling of network discovery can be a bit finicky, especially when mixed with Windows 10 Pro. Here are a few steps you can try to make network devices more consistently visible:

1. Enable Network Discovery and File Sharing on Both Machines:
   Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings on both Windows 11 machines. Ensure that Network discovery and File and printer sharing are enabled for Private networks.

2. Check Dependency Services:
   Make sure that these services are running on both Windows 11 machines:
   - Function Discovery Provider Host
   - Function Discovery Resource Publication
   - SSDP Discovery
   - UPnP Device Host

   You can access these by typing `services.msc` in the Run dialog (Win + R). Set these services to Automatic start if they aren't already.

3. Adjust SMB Settings:
   Older networking protocols like SMB 1.0 are sometimes disabled by default in newer versions of Windows. If you're working with mixed versions, enabling SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support can sometimes help. Go to Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off, and make sure SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support is enabled. However, keep in mind that SMB 1.0 is less secure, so only enable it if necessary.

4. Network Reset on Windows 11 Home Machines:
   Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings and click Network reset. This clears all network settings, including any cached info that might be causing visibility issues. You may need to reconfigure some network settings afterward.

5. Windows Firewall Settings:
   Ensure File and Printer Sharing (Echo Request - ICMPv4-In) is allowed through the firewall on both machines. Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall > Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall, and verify that these options are checked for both Private and Public networks.

Let me know if these steps make any difference in network visibility.

I'm considering updating to Pro on both the Windows 11 Pc's ---- would this help/and what is the big difference between the versions besides encryption. I have reset this on my desktop way to many times (mostly because it came with McAfee and other bloatware that made a mess of everything. The Microsoft Surface not so much. Checked things like the Registry and other settings. The Surface Computer worked great until some update hit (now it acts like my desktop) .  It's annoying that things work fine in Public mode (yeah it's recommended but noooo)  Thanks for the reminder on the Function discovery stuff... AKA the dependency services (I lost my notes - from a year ago)

Well, as long as you have a good firewall in your router that connects you to the Internet, then you can have your computers on public inside your network. It just makes them more easily discoverable to other devices on your network. Your router should block any traffic coming from the outside, unless you've got something DMZ'd like for gaming or hosting a server.

The stupid thing is.... I turned off and then back on discovery (which I had done 3 times prior to crabbing about stuff, I had also watched many YouTube videos - again) And last night it decided to work, and it didn't matter if it was Public or Private.  The laptop when in Wifi will likely stay private.  But on Docking station/ethernet will be whatever mode I decide in the end.  I really wish Microsoft would get it's Network feature on Windows 11 to not be so ... fussy.