Why can't I browse the connected computer even when I open [Entire Network] on Windows Me?

Why does the following error message appear sometimes when I try to browse the network, to which my computer is connected, by opening [Entire Network] on [My Network Places]?

--Error message--
"Unable to Browse Network. Windows is unable to gain access to the network.
This may be for a number of reasons. For more information, click Help."

This error message appears on Windows Me when the settings of [File and Printer Sharing] are not enabled and the computer is a member of the work group that does not have the browse master.

Please try out one of the following procedures to solve this symptom.

--Procedure--
# Procedure 1

Enable the sharing of a file and a printer.

1) Right-click on the [My Network Places] icon on the desktop and click [Properties].

2) Click the [File and Printer Sharing] button.

3) Select the [I want to be able to give others access to my files] and [I want to be able to allow others to print to my printer(s)] checkboxes.

4) Click the [OK] button on the [File and Printer Sharing] dialog box.

5) Click the [OK] button on the [Network] dialog box.

6) When the window prompting you to restart the computer appears, restart it.

7) Double-click on the [My Network Places] icon on the desktop to check if you can browse the connected computer.

# Procedure 2

Change the work group to one that contains the browse master (a given computer to which the sharing of files and printers has been installed).

1) Right-click on the [My Network Places] icon on the desktop and click [Properties].

2) Click the [Identification] tab.

3) Change the work group to one that contains the browse master.

4) Click the [OK] button.

5) When the window prompting you to restart the computer appears, restart it.

6) In compliance with Procedure 1, enable the settings of [File and Printer Sharing].

7) Double-click on the [My Network Places] icon on the desktop to check if you can browse the connected computer.

# Procedure 3

Search for the connected computer.

1) Click [Start] -> [Search] -> [For Files or Folders].

2) Click [Search for other items] -> [Computers] at the lower left corner of the [Search Results] window.

3) Enter the connected computer name in the [Computer Name] textbox.

4) Click the [Search Now] button.

5) As search results, the icon of the connected computer appears.
* You can also create a shortcut by drag-and-dropping the icon of the searched computer onto the desktop.

For further information, please refer to the following Microsoft technical support website.
Article: Q256235
Last Reviewed: January 30, 2001
Title: Cannot Browse Network by Using Entire Network in My Network
Places

Link: https://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q256/2/35.ASP