Recalbox exposes its /recalbox/share folder on the local network under the RECALBOX name: it is the easiest way to copy games onto it from a computer. When that share does not show up, or refuses to open, the problem almost always comes from Windows security rules, not from Recalbox.
First thing to try: the direct address. In Windows Explorer, type
\\RECALBOXor\\followed by your Recalbox IP address, for instance\\192.168.1.42. If that works, only the network neighbourhood display is at fault.
Also check in START > ADVANCED SETTINGS that network sharing is enabled on the Recalbox (the option matching the system.samba.enabled=1 key of the recalbox.conf file).
If your network neighbourhood is empty — not just missing Recalbox — two Windows settings are usually responsible:
Open the Windows network settings, switch your network to private and enable network discovery.
Since Windows 10 update 1709, guest access to SMB2 shares is blocked by default. You can see the Recalbox on the network, but any attempt to open it fails.
Open a PowerShell console as administrator and run:
Set-SmbClientConfiguration -EnableInsecureGuestLogons $true
This command allows guest connections to network shares again.
If the share is still invisible in Explorer, also enable the legacy discovery service:
Settings > Apps > Optional features > More Windows features.SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support > SMB 1.0/CIFS Client.Enable the client only, never the server, and turn it off again once your problem is solved: SMB v1 is an obsolete protocol with well-known security flaws.
Since Windows 11 update 24H2, guest share access is blocked the same way: Windows asks for a username and a password that Recalbox does not use.
The fix is identical — a PowerShell console as administrator:
Set-SmbClientConfiguration -EnableInsecureGuestLogons $true
If that is not enough, you have to go through group policy:
gpedit.msc.Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Network > Lanman Workstation.Enable insecure guest logons.If you would rather not change anything on your PC, Recalbox offers other ways to reach its files:
Need help? Join the Recalbox Discord.