In file manager, what exactly is the meaning of the location "Windows Network" ?

Tried several searches but was unable to get any hits. The title seems odd when considered from a Linux perspective. Thanks.

From a linux perspective, its network shares samba client can connect to on windows systems.

Hope this helps.

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Under the Network shortcut?

It means that Linux has detected a Windows network. It used to be NetBEUI or NetBIOS, I don't know if they still call it that. But there are certain packet types which only Windows traditionally uses, and thus when Linux sees those packets on the network, it assumes there is a Windows network available.

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Ok, thanks. Out of curiosity, under what conditions would this occur? An intranet system where Linux and windows machines are connected, or is that even possible?

There must be enough situations where a widows net is detected while in Linux to warrant the inclusion of the function / icon. Thanks again.

I suspect that the linux distro is detecting either Microsoft proprietary transport protocols (NetBEUI, NetBIOS, SMB .. as suggested by rtmistler) or is detecting the presence of a Windows Domain Controller or Active Directory

I believe this depends also in part on the file manager. I use pcmanfm under Arch / LXDE, and there is no similar mention of a Windows network, even though I have a Windows server on my LAN (albeit, not configured as a domain controller ...).

Cheers.

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Take a look here for more understanding of windows networks: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Server_Message_Block

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As camorri posted most linux file browsers have a built in samba client. samba is the linux implementation of the Windows SMB/CIFS file sharing and printing network protocol (see link above). In addition to a built in samba client the browser also includes a fuse virtual filesystem which allows one to access remote shares without needing root privileges.

The windows network location is similar to "network" in a Windows file browser. By selecting windows network the file browser will search for Windows workgroups/computers and linux computers running samba. Clicking on any workgroup found will display all computers within that workgroup and clicking on a computer name will display its public shares. Clicking on a share allows one to see files within that share. A windows workgroup is not the same thing as a homegroup.

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