Windows 7: Unable to browse to network shares in Explorer, but "map network drive" works fine

OK, I figured it out. No idea if this is your problem, but here's my fix. I removed the "Network" icon using some registry tweak a "friend" gave me. It removed the following keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{F02C1A0D-BE21-4350-88B0-7367FC96EF3C}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{F02C1A0D-BE21-4350-88B0-7367FC96EF3C}

However this alleged friend failed to tell me that this also screws with your ability to use direct path names (or even browse the network in any sane fashion). Here's the fix:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; Restore the damned network icon in explorer 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{F02C1A0D-BE21-4350-88B0-7367FC96EF3C}]
@="Computers and Devices"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{F02C1A0D-BE21-4350-88B0-7367FC96EF3C}]
@="Computers and Devices"

Just import this reg file, reboot (3 times -- no more, and no less) while chanting the lyrics to a song by Radiohead (any song will do). For me, all is well. I'm going to go murder my friend now.

If none of the above works [UNC share not working but internet browsing works, Ping works etc]

(1) Use netsh -> Winsock context -> reset it
(2) If (1) doesn't work goto Run type -> ncpa.cpl.
From the applet select "IPV4" properties, if that is what you are trying to troubleshoot and then select "Client for Microsoft networks". Uninstall this and then reinstall this. Reboot.

[Always ensure you have the Administrator account password. I am saying this because you could be logged on via domain user acct which is part of Administrators]

Once system is up, open ncpa.cpl again, From the networking tab - Use Install option(button), select clients and you should find "Client for Microsoft networks", select that and install. Reboot and hope it works this time.

Very strange...

I would first suggest you suspect some cached permission set via "remember my credentials" being stored for the browsing getting in the way - i.e. they are wrong u/pw combination.

Have a look at the control panel section

Control Panel\User Accounts\Credential Manager

See if something in there stands out as wrong, or clear anything related to the remove machines and try again.