Windows 7: Cant Browse UNC Root from XP to 7 after SP1

Hello,

This problem has been annoying me for a few days now and I can't figure out what it is.

If I browse my Windows 7 PC via UNC (\\192.168.0.x) on an XP PC I am unable to get a list of shares. If I Directly open \\192.168.0.x\ShareName that will work perfectly.

I have a vista PC on the same network and that can see the root fine.



The only thing that I can think of is that SP1 has done something.... but not sure why it would only effect showing the list of shares...

As a side note in the event log i see the "Software Protection Service" keeps stopping and then starting, I tried googling it but no one seems to know if this is usual behavior to check the licence or if it shouldn't stop.

No Firewall
No Anti-Virus
Windows 7 X64 SP1 Ulti
XP Pro 32Bit

Sharing the root is a security risk. You may also need to modify permissions for things to work as you might expect: How do I share the root of a drive?

I am not sharing the root of a local Volume.

I'm talking about the root path of a UNC location.
"\\192.168.0.x" that shows the list of all the shares on the system.

Permissions are working correctly as I can access the shares like "\\192.168.0.x\Sharename" like I said previously.

And no permissions have been changed.

Sounds like the workgroup advertising isn't getting through the firewalls. Try these steps Windows XP cannot access Windows 7 workgroup - Microsoft Answers

This might be helpful as well: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...ction-problems

There are no firewalls on any of the PCs.
The network subnet is listed as a WORK network.

Both XP and 7 have built-in firewalls enabled by default. Try running the tool: Internet Connectivity Evaluation Tool

Both PC's have the "Built-in Firewalls" DISABLED

Hence NO FIREWALLS are enabled.

And the two computers are connected through a dumb switch/hub or crossover cable and NOT a router that may be blocking the require trafffic? Also, Windows 7 is configured for a Work or Home network on the adapter connecting to the XP machine?

Both computer are connected to a Un-Managed Switch, and can ping etc...
The Network settings on the Windows 7 (SP1) PC are set to "Work Network"

I can access the Windows 7 PC (on the XP) by typing the Direct Share Path "\\192.168.0.99\SHARE" or even "\\192.168.0.99\C$" but not "\\192.168.0.99\"

Both PCs have the same username and passwords and authentication is not an issue.

My Vista PC can see the Root of the UNC Patch "\\192.168.0.99" Perfectly
Just not the XP.

Suspect you need the hotfix at Network Map in Windows Vista does not display computers that are running Windows XP