Resolved New Windows 10 install not connecting to any of my 3 Samsung phones

In pretty desperate need of some advice here. I had been using Windows 10 just fine, until recently I had something go wrong with my hard drive. I have since gotten a new hard drive and reinstalled windows 10. But, since this new install, which also incorporated the aug 2019 update that I had been putting off, my computer won't properly see any of my Samsung devices. The last install, I could plug in via USB, see the contents on my phone and sd card, transfer files, etc. All was well. This new install is *not* letting me see them at all, other than "Samsung android" in a notification. Nothing at all under "my computer" . this is the case with an s7, an s5, and an older captivate glide. So I know it's windows. But why?
I've searched for and installed the drivers, nothing new available. Manually downloaded some extra drivers, still nothing. The USB cord and plug is the same. It does work since it will charge the devices, and to some too small degree windows can tell something is there. Just can't access anything.

I checked out that your phone app included on windows, and that wants you to associate your phone number on windows and download an extra app to your phone. No thanks. How can I bring bback functionality to the old fashioned way ?

 

Hi Mel, When you connect your phone to the comp is it set to Charge or Transfer Files or Transfer Photos?
Have you tried Samsung Smart App?

 

Mel, I'll try and explain my experience with my new Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 smart phone.
When I plug it in to the USB connection on my comp running (W10 Pro 64bit Version 1903 OS Build 18362.418) the comp recognizes the Device and sets up the necessary drivers for it.
A message appears saying its completed the set and asks what I want to do.
Clicking on that opens Settings > Devices > and it shows the phone in there - but no further info is available.
I close that and then Swipe downwards on the phone screen which shows that the phone is connected and charging.
Tapping on that message opens the screen asking whether I need to Transfer Files or Photos.
Tapping on Transfer Files I can then open Explorer > This PC > and the Redmi Note7 is shown.
I Right click on this entry and it shows a Menu where I click on Open and the Disc (SD Micro card) and the Internal shared storage is shown.
I can then Right click and Open and access Files of either Storage disc.

This same process worked/works with my Samsung S4's (3) all 'rooted' and running Nougat (Android 7).
I hope and trust this will help in your accessing your phone through W10.
I

 

Ok, so ive finally had time to do a bit more digging, ive figured out the issue, at least in my case. when I newly formatted this hard drive, I had googled what the N means, in the listing to pick which version that said something like "windows 10 pro 64 bit" or "windows 10 pro N 64 bit" (something along those lines), upon a quick google search it only said that windows media player wouldnt be installed. so i thought "who cares, i use VLC anyway" and went with the N version... turns out the N version also doesnt install mtp capabilities which was why my devices, other than charging, werent showing up at all in the "my computer" section and i couldnt access anything. i only thought to google the mtp issue after looking in the device manager and noticed the yellow warning triangle over mtp. once i dug further I found out this was why.

tonight i found the media features installation pack which finally resolved the issue! Just wanted to share for anyone who may have made the same mistake when installing. turns out its way more than just media player that isnt isntalled! it was a commonly asked issue to google it so it wasnt just me at least!

 

Thanks for your followup. Will probably help quite a number who pick the wrong install pack.