Share two computers - Operate my Desktop from my portable

[Amerifax]

I have two computers on the same Wi-Fi network. They work fine as far as being able to go to the Internet, and use forums, such as I'm doing here.

But now I want to expand my capabilities between the two computers.
1. Desktop Computer - Windows 11 Professional 64bit
2. Portable Computer - Windows 10 Professional 64 bit

Here is what I was hoping to be able to do with the two computers.
1. Share folders back and forth.
2. Share printers back and forth.
3. Using the portable, I would like to be able to use Excel and more that resides on my Desktop computer. In other words, have total access to my desktop computer while operating the portable as if that was sitting at my desktop.

This is my wish list which seems to me to be a reasonable way to function.

I just got off the phone after a good hour with Microsoft support. I shared with them what I was trying to accomplish, as you see above. I'm definitely not trying to fault Microsoft. The person who helped was extremely professional, but we couldn't quite get the results I was looking for.

When logging in to my Potable Computer, my log-in display screen displays "Switch User," which I select. I than have 2 choices displayed in the lower right corner of the screen.
Bob ( I'm assuming that would be my Desktop Computer)
Ram2 (I'm also thinking this would be my Portable)
I select "Bob," and my Portable screen appears, not the DeskTop I wanted.

Also, my network setting is not connecting my two computers in a shared state.

I'm hoping that somebody has documentation that I can follow. Never had much lock following Microsoft manuals. Thanks for taking the time to read this long, possibly, confusing topic. Here are my needs:
1. Share two computers
2. Operate my Desktop from my portable.
Bob

 

[1freedude]

Remote desktop

Search in settings on both PCs

 

[kilo]

Enable Remote Desktop on your PC

Learn how to use Remote Desktop to connect to and control your PC from a remote device.

learn.microsoft.com

 

[Amerifax]

Enable Remote Desktop on your PC

Learn how to use Remote Desktop to connect to and control your PC from a remote device.

learn.microsoft.com

I have.
I was hoping to find a step-by-step on installing a network Windows 11 & 10.
ALSO
Remote Control
Bob

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Review these scripts they use anydesk also review the firewall scripts
If using win-10 there is another pinned script page

Windows 11 Tweaks for GPU Benchmark

Updated for 24H2 Install without Internet When it prompts you to go online, press Shift+F10 and type "OOBE\BYPASSNRO" (that's an o not a zero at the end). After the automatic reboot you can install without network Install on systems without TPM, UEFI or other requirements...

www.techpowerup.com

rem Install AnyDesk
rem PowerShell "(New-Object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadFile('https://download.anydesk.com/AnyDesk-CM.exe', '%TEMP%\ad.exe')" && start /wait %TEMP%\ad.exe --remove-first --install "%ProgramFiles%\AnyDesk" --start-with-win --update-manually --create-shortcuts --create-desktop-icon && del %TEMP%\ad.exe

 

[kilo]

I have.
I was hoping to find a step-by-step on installing a network Windows 11 & 10.
ALSO
Remote Control
Bob

You are looking for remote desktop connection.

This is my wish list which seems to me to be a reasonable way to function.

[...]

When logging in to my Potable Computer, my log-in display screen displays "Switch User," which I select. I than have 2 choices displayed in the lower right corner of the screen.
Bob ( I'm assuming that would be my Desktop Computer)
Ram2 (I'm also thinking this would be my Portable)
I select "Bob," and my Portable screen appears, not the DeskTop I wanted.

I re-read your first post several times. The description is odd, you want the login screen on your laptop to log you into your desktop without logging into your laptop? It wont work that way. You should use remote desktop connection.

Ram2 is likely another account (local or not) on your laptop. If you don't know who this is, the computer isn't shared, and you purchased it from someone else without reinstalling Windows, you should remove Ram2.

1. Share two computers
2. Operate my Desktop from my portable.

For shared folders and files, use this:

File sharing over a network in Windows - Microsoft Support

Learn about file sharing over a network in Windows.

support.microsoft.com

It kind of sounds like you have the answers you need for what you're asking, but there's setup or configuration that isn't working. If you're using local accounts on the desktop you might have to specify the computer name and account local to it.

For example, your computer's hostname is "BobDesktop", then using remote desktop with the user "BobDesktop\Bob" and the password of the Bob account on the desktop will allow you access.

Outside of guessing what the problem is, we would need more information to even begin. I have a suspicion that this statement is more accurate than previously thought:

I just got off the phone after a good hour with Microsoft support. I shared with them what I was trying to accomplish [...]

I'm hoping that somebody has documentation that I can follow. Never had much lock following Microsoft manuals.

 

[Amerifax]

You are looking for remote desktop connection.



I re-read your first post several times. The description is odd, you want the login screen on your laptop to log you into your desktop without logging into your laptop? It wont work that way. You should use remote desktop connection.

Ram2 is likely another account (local or not) on your laptop. If you don't know who this is, the computer isn't shared, and you purchased it from someone else without reinstalling Windows, you should remove Ram2.



For shared folders and files, use this:

File sharing over a network in Windows - Microsoft Support

Learn about file sharing over a network in Windows.

support.microsoft.com

It kind of sounds like you have the answers you need for what you're asking, but there's setup or configuration that isn't working. If you're using local accounts on the desktop you might have to specify the computer name and account local to it.

For example, your computer's hostname is "BobDesktop", then using remote desktop with the user "BobDesktop\Bob" and the password of the Bob account on the desktop will allow you access.

Outside of guessing what the problem is, we would need more information to even begin. I have a suspicion that this statement is more accurate than previously thought:

You are looking for remote desktop connection.



I re-read your first post several times. The description is odd, you want the login screen on your laptop to log you into your desktop without logging into your laptop? It wont work that way. You should use remote desktop connection.

Ram2 is likely another account (local or not) on your laptop. If you don't know who this is, the computer isn't shared, and you purchased it from someone else without reinstalling Windows, you should remove Ram2.



For shared folders and files, use this:

File sharing over a network in Windows - Microsoft Support

Learn about file sharing over a network in Windows.

support.microsoft.com

It kind of sounds like you have the answers you need for what you're asking, but there's setup or configuration that isn't working. If you're using local accounts on the desktop you might have to specify the computer name and account local to it.

For example, your computer's hostname is "BobDesktop", then using remote desktop with the user "BobDesktop\Bob" and the password of the Bob account on the desktop will allow you access.

Outside of guessing what the problem is, we would need more information to even begin. I have a suspicion that this statement is more accurate than previously thought:

I have two computers on the same Wi-Fi network. They work fine as far as being able to go to the Internet and use forums, as I'm doing here. The name of the computers start with RAM
RAM1 Windows 11 Pro Desktop
RAM3 Windows 10 Pro Portable

But now I want to expand my capabilities between the two computers.
1. RAM1 - Desktop Computer - Windows 11 Professional 64bit
2. RAM3 - Portable Computer - Windows 10 Professional 64 bit

This is my wish list which seems to me to be a reasonable way to function. Share all hard drives that are on the 2 computers so both computers can see and use them.

Also, my network setting is not connecting my two computers in a shared state.

I'm hoping that somebody has documentation that I can follow. Never had much luck following Microsoft manuals. Thanks for taking the time to read this long, possibly, confusing topic. Here are my needs:
Bob

I hope this is more clear.
Quote Reply
Report

Enable Remote Desktop on your PC

Learn how to use Remote Desktop to connect to and control your PC from a remote device.

learn.microsoft.com

After 3 days, I gave up on Microsoft Remote Desktop. In 10 minutes or less, I installed and I'm using Chrome Remote. I still want to network all my hard drives.
Bob

Enable Remote Desktop on your PC

Learn how to use Remote Desktop to connect to and control your PC from a remote device.

learn.microsoft.com

Maybe that will be the answer. But I think how I want to use the computers might be an issue.
I want to access the same file on the computer named RAM1.
RAM1 Windows 11 Professional (Holes file)
RAM3 Windows 10 Professional

I plan to have Windows-OneNote open on both computers. They will both use the same file that is on RAM1
Bob

Hi,
Review these scripts they use anydesk also review the firewall scripts
If using win-10 there is another pinned script page

Windows 11 Tweaks for GPU Benchmark

Updated for 24H2 Install without Internet When it prompts you to go online, press Shift+F10 and type "OOBE\BYPASSNRO" (that's an o not a zero at the end). After the automatic reboot you can install without network Install on systems without TPM, UEFI or other requirements...

www.techpowerup.com

rem Install AnyDesk
rem PowerShell "(New-Object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadFile('https://download.anydesk.com/AnyDesk-CM.exe', '%TEMP%\ad.exe')" && start /wait %TEMP%\ad.exe --remove-first --install "%ProgramFiles%\AnyDesk" --start-with-win --update-manually --create-shortcuts --create-desktop-icon && del %TEMP%\ad.exe

Never heard of it. I'll check it out.
Bob

 

[lemonadesoda]

@Amerifax Did you solve this already? Here is some additional information.

1./ If you have both machines on wifi - there is a possibility your router or AP (wifi access point) is operating in wifi-isolation. This means that each device can "go out to the internet" but they are blocked from seeing each other. This is a simple wifi security mechanism. Do some research on wifi isolation settings for your hardware

2./ Network Browse no longer works on W10 and W11. (Windows for Workgroups old protocol, is now not installed on all new W10/W11 devices). You CAN access one computer from the other, but you need to know their IP address or local name, e.g. \\RAM1 and \\RAM2. Make sure both PCs are on the same network name./domain name. It isn't just naming the PCs, but also naming the network they share. See my recent post https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/windows-10-os-clean-install.305455/

3./ I use the open source tool nomachine. Remember to either ALLOW the nomachine services through Windows Defender firewall, or turn the firewall off until you get it working - then solve that problem

4./ If you just want to access a shared hard drive, in explorer, right click on network, and select map network drive... , but this will only work if you have done steps 1 and 2 first

 

[Amerifax]

@Amerifax Did you solve this already? Here is some additional information.

1./ If you have both machines on wifi - there is a possibility your router or AP (wifi access point) is operating in wifi-isolation. This means that each device can "go out to the internet" but they are blocked from seeing each other. This is a simple wifi security mechanism. Do some research on wifi isolation settings for your hardware

2./ Network Browse no longer works on W10 and W11. (Windows for Workgroups old protocol, is now not installed on all new W10/W11 devices). You CAN access one computer from the other, but you need to know their IP address or local name, e.g. \\RAM1 and \\RAM2. Make sure both PCs are on the same network name./domain name. It isn't just naming the PCs, but also naming the network they share. See my recent post https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/windows-10-os-clean-install.305455/

3./ I use the open source tool nomachine. Remember to either ALLOW the nomachine services through Windows Defender firewall, or turn the firewall off until you get it working - then solve that problem

4./ If you just want to access a shared hard drive, in explorer, right click on network, and select map network drive... , but this will only work if you have done steps 1 and 2 first

>

lemonadesoda<< Sounds Good!​

I do have wi-fi on both. I will check that out.
Thanks
Bob