Network Issues after NetFramewrok update KB5082417

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Network Issues after NetFramewrok update KB5082417

Denis 25

Network folder in explorer shows empty and will not display devices connected to desktop or to laptop. DEvices can be accessed by typing in address to address line and operating programs can access devices. Have tried all fixes shown on web with no improvement . Reset netwrok settings on some occassions fixes issue but only for a short time.

Win 11 25H2 26200.8246

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Answer 1

Clary-N 11,050 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi Denis,

Thank you for sharing the details.

Just to clarify first: the earlier note about this being a“known issue related to KB5082417” comes from the Q&A Assist response. Based on Microsoft’s official documentation, that update does not list any known issues and you are already on Windows 11 25H2 build 26200.8246, which includes the latest cumulative fixes.

Based on your symptoms (Network view empty but devices still accessible via \device-name or IP), this may be related to how network discovery and device visibility are handled in File Explorer, rather than a true network connectivity problem.

It’s also worth noting that this type of behavior can occasionally happen if network discovery services or name resolution aren’t updating correctly, even though the underlying network is working fine.

In addition to the steps already shared above, I’d suggest a few extra checks:

Reset the network stack: Open Command Prompt (Admin) and run:
```
  netsh winsock reset
  netsh int ip reset
  ipconfig /flushdns
```
Then restart the PC.
Perform a Clean Boot:
- Press Windows + R > type msconfig
- Go to Services > Hide all Microsoft services > Disable all
- Go to Startup > Open Task Manager > disable all startup items
- Restart and test the Network view
*Disclaimer: A "clean boot" starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. It helps to determine whether a background service is interfering with your game or program and to isolate the cause of a problem. These steps of "clean boot" might look complicated at first glance. However, to avoid any trouble for you, please follow them in order and step-by-step so that it will help you get back on track.

If the behavior changes after the network stack reset or Clean Boot, feel free to share the result. That will help narrow down the exact cause further.

If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

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Alan 0 Reputation points

2026-04-23T13:54:28.8366667+00:00

What worked for me, after trying and failing just about every single other tip/suggestion out there...

Startup Apps: disabled both "Mobile Devices" and "Phone Link" and magically, my network connection behaves exactly as it used to i.e. correctly!
Denis 25 Reputation points

2026-04-24T09:17:28.1033333+00:00

Hi Clary-N,

Thank you very much for your input.

The netsh winsock reset resolved the issue on both laptop and desktop.

I will save the other commands and the cleanboot for another time.

Do you know if the issue arises from software activities going awry or is it likely to be user activities?

Thanks again

[Moderator Note: Personal Info Removed]
Clary-N 11,050 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-04-26T07:08:18.41+00:00

Hi Denis,

Thanks for sharing your results. Glad to hear the netsh winsock reset resolved it on both your laptop and desktop. That usually points to a network stack issue being reset back to a healthy state.

To your question, it’s typically more related to software behavior going out of sync (like network components, drivers or background services) rather than anything caused directly by user actions. That said, certain apps or services running in the background can sometimes interfere with network behavior.

On that note, really appreciate the second share as well, Alan. Disabling Mobile Devices and Phone Link from startup is a great find. Reducing background apps like these can prevent conflicts and seems to line up with the kind of behavior you were seeing.

Hope everything continues running smoothly, and feel free to share if you notice anything else.

Best regards.
Sleepy Pete 0 Reputation points

2026-05-06T08:24:56.5266667+00:00

Comments from me - the steps above did NOT resolve this issue for me but I think I know a) Likely root cause b) why these fixes work for others, c) what the probable cause is on my network and d) the bandage that's worked for my desktop this morning.

a) Likely root cause - the stricter SMB security settings are having a fight with a device on our networks.

b) For some of us that now unsupported device could be a phone or other mobile device.

c) I believe the cause on my network is a network enabled Marantz AV amplifier that does not comply with the SMB security requirements and therefore crashes the Network View.

d) What I'm calling a bandage is from Digital Citizen, it's two Powershell commands to set RequireSecuritySignature to false and to set EnableInsecureGuestLogins to true. I.e. stop expecting something from the AV amp that it cannot provide.

And I can connect between my laptop and desktop again via the Network view. I should probably take the amp off the network as it's not doing anything there !
Clary-N 11,050 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-05-07T04:26:18.4633333+00:00

Hi Sleepy Pete,

Thanks for sharing such a detailed update.

Your findings around SMB security conflicts and the impact of non-compliant devices make a lot of sense, and I appreciate you outlining both the likely root cause and your workaround. It’s great to hear the PowerShell changes helped restore connectivity, even if it’s a temporary fix.

Thanks again for taking the time to document this as it will be valuable for others.
Sleepy Pete 0 Reputation points

2026-05-11T01:04:16.78+00:00

Hi Clary,

Sad to report that the problem came back after a reboot (and I've persuaded my AV amp to not connect to my main SSID). So ... maybe got lucky with being able to see the Network folders.

However, I've got a workaround that's working in my specific case :

The Network Share folders that I use on laptop and desktop to transfer files were still visible in the history of both, so I've just pinned them to the Quick Access in File Explorer. It doesn't get me the Network Folder visibility back but this enables me to transfer pictures and music between the two computers.

I.e. peer to peer network file sharing is working but it looks like whatever drives that Network Folder view is having issues.
Clary-N 11,050 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-05-12T06:54:36.5633333+00:00

Hi Sleepy Pete,

Thank you for sharing this workaround. It's great to hear that pinning the folders to Quick Access is helping you continue transferring files.

It does seem to confirm that while peer-to-peer sharing is still functioning, the Network folder visibility itself may be experiencing an issue. Your findings are very helpful for narrowing this down.

Please continue to monitor the behavior and feel free to share any additional observations.

Answer 2

DGX29 0

netsh winsock reset (only, after is OK)

Rin Anderson 0 Reputation points

2026-05-04T04:01:02.1+00:00

I have ran that command and it worked after a reboot for only a short moment, afterwards it spins again and never populate devices in Network folder.
Clary-N 11,050 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-05-05T06:07:10.7766667+00:00
Hi Rin Anderson,

Just a couple of quick checks to help narrow this down:

Do you recall when the issue first started? Was it also after a recent Windows update (such as KB5082417)?

Have you tried disabling Mobile Devices and Phone Link from startup? Another user reported this helped in a similar case, so it may be worth testing.

Looking forward to your update.
Rin Anderson 0 Reputation points

2026-05-07T13:28:09.44+00:00

Hi Clary,

The issue first started after I updated to KB5083769, which was a security update. Mobile Devices and Phone Link are already disabled from startup for me, but the issue still persisted for me.

Unfortunately, I had enough of Windows 11 with how buggy the update has been so I downgraded back to Windows 10 and have had no issue with the network folder in File Explorer since.
Clary-N 11,050 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-05-08T07:09:40.91+00:00

Hi Rin Anderson,

Thank you for the detailed update.

While I’m glad downgrading to Windows 10 resolved the issue, there’s currently no official confirmation linking KB5083769 to this behavior. Your experience is still valuable, and I’d encourage submitting it via Feedback Hub (Windows key + F) to help with investigation.

If you decide to try Windows 11 again in the future, newer updates may include fixes for this.

Please let me know if you need anything further.

Answer 3

KB5082417 is associated with a known Windows 11 24H2/25H2 networking issue where devices can lose proper network connectivity state until a later cumulative update is installed. This can cause symptoms like incomplete network discovery in File Explorer, even though devices are reachable by direct UNC path (typing \\device-name in the address bar), which matches the described behavior.

To address this on Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.8246):

Install the latest cumulative update that includes KB5085516 or later
The networking issue is resolved in updates released March 21, 2026 (KB5085516) and later. Install the latest Windows Update available for the device. This contains fixes for the specific network connectivity state problem affecting Windows 11 24H2/25H2.
Restart while connected to the internet
If the device is currently on a build prior to KB5085516 or cannot yet install a newer update, use the documented workaround:
- Ensure the PC has an active internet connection (Wi‑Fi or Ethernet).
- Restart Windows while staying connected to the internet.
- After restart, test File Explorer → Network again.
If the PC is restarted later without an active internet connection, it can fall back into the problematic connectivity state. In that case, repeat the restart while connected to the internet.
General file sharing checks (on all involved PCs)
Since devices are reachable by address but not listed under Network, also confirm basic sharing settings:
- All machines are on the same network and the network profile is set to Private.
- Network discovery and File and printer sharing are turned on.
- Required discovery services (Function Discovery Provider Host, Function Discovery Resource Publication, SSDP Discovery, UPnP Device Host) are running and set to Automatic.
These steps are standard for ensuring that devices appear in File Explorer’s Network view.

If, after installing an update including KB5085516 (or later) and restarting while online, the issue persists, re-check sharing settings and services as above on both the desktop and laptop.

References:

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Network Issues after NetFramewrok update KB5082417

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