Homegroup issues with new pc, but problem seems to be with old desktop

ok so here is the bizarre issue now.
the desktop sees the homegroup it started as something it needs to join, even though it is the one that created it.
what the heck.

ok it works again!
I can see everything thru the homegroup area not network.
Is there a way to get it so I can access thru "network"

Happy how it is, just curious why it is different.

Will play around, hopefully it doesnt go away again

You should be able to see from both Homegroup and Network. Are all the services started on both PCs?

all services including the homegroup ones are started on both computers.

the laptop had computer browser not started despite it being set to automatic.
Activated that, now the laptop can see the desktop files thru network.
desktop cannot see the laptop thru network but can if I share to the homegroup. it has all the services activated.