How to enable network discovery in Windows Vista

What is network discovery in Windows Vista?  Network discovery helps provide the right level of security and access to your computer, based on the network location of the networks that you connect to.

In Windows Vista you have a few choices when configuring your network discovery:

Affects whether other computers and devices on the network are "visible" from your computer and whether other computers on the network can "see" your computer.

Affects whether you can access shared devices and files on other computers on the network and whether people using other computers on the network can access shared devices and files on your computer.

There are two network discovery states:

ON - This state enables you to see other network computers and devices from your computer and enables people on other network computers to see your computer. You can also access shared files and devices on other computers and other people can access shared files devices on your computer.

OFF - This state prevents you from seeing other network computers and devices from your computer and prevents people on other network computers from seeing your computer. You cannot access shared files and devices on other computers and other people cannot access shared files and devices on your computer.

Below are instructions on how to enable network discovery in Windows Vista.

1. Click the Windows Logo on the bottom left to get the menu.
2. Right Click Network.
3. Click Properties.
   
4. Click the arrow pointing down next to Network Discovery to expand the options.
5. Click Turn on network discovery.
6. Click Apply.
   
7. If you get the User Account Control click Continue.
8. You may need to reboot your computer for the changes to take place.