- Manage the network in Windows 11 improves security and prevents intruders.
- Internal and external tools allow you to view and control connected devices.
- Proper configuration and strong passwords are key to protecting your home network.
Have you ever wondered how you can know exactly which devices are connected to your network from your PC with Windows 11Being able to see all connected equipment and devices is essential for keep your network secure, optimized, and under controlWhether you suspect someone has hacked into your Wi-Fi, want to share files between your devices, or just need to check that everything is working properly, it's very helpful to master this process.
In this guide you will discover step by step and in great detail how you can scan and view all the devices connected to your network from Windows 11. I'll also tell you how to make your PC visible to others, how to protect yourself from potential intruders, what external tools help you gain even more control, and some tips to make your home network secure and efficient. Let's get going, and put your doubts aside!
Why is it important to see the devices connected to the network?
Maintain control of your home or office network It is essential for several reasons. Firstly, it allows you to quickly detect if an intruder has managed to connect without your permission. This not only poses a risk to your privacy and files, but could even affect the speed and stability of your connection, especially if the intruder is a heavy user of bandwidth.
Another key reason is that Having many devices connected at the same time can lead to IP conflicts, network congestion, and a noticeable drop in performance.Additionally, it's essential to know what's connected to share printers, hard drives, files, and resources, or simply to confirm that a new device has been connected correctly.
Network & Internet Settings in Windows 11: Getting Started
Before we start looking for devices, it is important to know the Main network settings in Windows 11To access them, you have several very simple options:
- Click on the Home button and type 'Settings'. Then select Network and Internet.
- Right click on the icon Red o Wi-Fi on the taskbar and choose Network and Internet Settings.
From here you can manage everything related to your connections: select Wi-Fi or Ethernet, configure VPNs, view network status, and more.
How to make your PC visible on the network
To see and be seen by other computers and share files, your PC must be visible on the networkBy default, Windows usually configures new connections as public networks, which hides your PC for security reasons. However, if you're at home or work and trust the network, you can easily change this:
- Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Network name.
- Choose between Private network (your PC will be seen on the network) or Public network (your PC will be hidden).
You can also manage this from the Center network and sharing Control Panel, where you can adjust network discovery and file sharing to suit your needs.
Eye: It's not recommended to make your device visible on public networks (coffee shops, airports, etc.) as anyone could try to access your shared resources.
Network detection and common problems
If you go into the Network section of File Explorer and don't see any other PCs (or even yourself), the network detection is disabledWindows usually displays a prompt at the top of the window to make it easy to activate.
Click on the notice and click on Turn on network discovery and file sharingIf your network is public, Windows will ask you if you want to make it private before making the device visible. Always choose the option that best suits your environment and needs to maximize security.
If you still don't see any devices after enabling network discovery, it could be due to advanced settings, network adapter issues, firewall issues, or disabled Windows services. In these cases, it's a good idea to review all your network settings and ensure that services like "Function Discovery Resource Publishing" are enabled.
How to view connected devices from Windows
Windows allows you see other PCs and devices connected to your same network, but first you need to make sure you have network discovery and sharing enabled (as explained above). The basic steps are:
- Go to Configuration > Network and Internet > Sharing options.
- Active Network discovery for the appropriate profile (private or public).
- Also active Share files and printers if you need it.
- Open the File Browser and enter the section RedHere you'll see all the devices that have network visibility enabled and are correctly configured.
This feature is very useful if you manage a media server, you need to share a printer or folders between multiple computers Or you simply want to check that the connection is working properly. If a device doesn't appear, it could be due to errors in the firewall configuration or the type of network.
Advanced options and external programs to scan the network
Sometimes you need more control over all devices connected to your network, such as mobile phones, tablets, TVs, smart plugs, etc. For this purpose, there are very powerful programs that perform a scan:
- Advanced IP Scanner: Very easy to use, displays IP, computer name, address MAC and manufacturer. Allows actions such as remotely shutting down equipment or blocking connections.
- Finger: Popular app that detects all connected devices and displays type, model and brand, useful for detect intruders and block them.
- Soft Perfect Network Scanner: Paid, which allows automatic analysis and export of results for greater control.
- Who is on my WiFi? It notifies you in real time of each new connected device and, in the paid version, blocks suspicious devices.
Recommendation: Download these tools only from official pages or trusted sources to avoid malware and maintain absolute control over who connects to your network.
Check the connected devices from the router
Another very practical option is consult directly in the router which devices are currently connected. This way, you can check on mobile phones, computers, tablets, printers, smart TVs, and other devices.
- Access the router from the browser by entering its usual IP (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
- Enter administrator credentials.
- Look for the 'Connected Devices', 'DHCP' or similar section, depending on your model.
From this panel, you can view the IP address, name, and MAC address of your devices. Some routers even allow you to rename devices or block unauthorized devices, making it easier to detect intruders and manage your network.
Remove unauthorized devices from the network
When you detect a suspicious device, you have several options to expel it and prevent future connections:
- Change the Wi-Fi password from the router interface to force everyone to re-enter the key, ensuring that only authorized devices have access.
- Filtering by MAC address: Allow only known MACs or block the ones you don't want.
- Hide the SSID: It hides the network name so that only those who know the details can connect, although it requires more configuration and does not guarantee 100% security.
Essential tips for protecting your network and managing devices
- Use strong and unique passwords for wifi and router access, avoiding the default ones.
- Uses WPA2 or WPA3 encryption, ruling out WEP or WPA1 as vulnerable.
- Configure the firewall on your PC and router to block unwanted access.
- update regularly the firmware of all network devices to maintain security.
- Assign custom names to connected devices to easily recognize them and detect intruders.
What risks does not come with not monitoring connected devices?
Leaving the network unprotected and uncontrolled can lead to serious problems, such as:
- Loss of privacy and exposure of personal data.
- Performance reduction due to saturation and unauthorized connections.
- Illegal activities carried out from your network by intruders, which could have legal consequences.
- Virus and malware infection if malicious devices connect.
- IP conflicts and connectivity issues in a saturated network.
Therefore, conducting periodic reviews and taking action against anomalies is essential to maintaining the security and proper functioning of the network.
Improve performance and avoid common problems in your network
An excess of connected devices can significantly affect Wi-Fi speed and stability. Warning signs include:
- Slow or inconsistent internet quality.
- IP address conflicts.
- Difficulty sharing files or using printers.
- Frequent disconnections.
If you detect these problems, review the number of connected devices and consider limiting access, increasing bandwidth, or reconfiguring the network to better distribute resources.
Remember that devices like smart plugs, cameras, and smart home gadgets can also be vulnerable if they're not secure, so it's essential to review the security of all connected devices.
Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.