Question Onboard Thunderbolt ports not getting seen by Windows, but works as USB-C

[foscooter]

At my wits end!

2 PC's, Asus TUF Z890 Plus WiFi & ASRock Z890 Pro-A systems. Both have (1) Thunderbolt 4 port (on rear panel) for 40 Gbps data transfer rates. Both fall back to USB4 (USB-C) and "work" when plugging in USB-C Flash Drive or iPhone (USB-C to Lightning) through cables rated for these ports. I have the 2 PCs linked via TB4 rated cables (verified directional inputs).

Windows does not list "Thunderbolt Controller" in Device Manager.

When I try to install the Thunderbolt Software Installer (from Intel), it fails. States "Your system does not require this driver."

Both PCs are on and linked via TB cable. I don't have any Thunderbolt devices (i.e. Thunderbolt SSD Drive) to plug into the ports to initiate the automatic driver install.

I have installed Thunderbolt Control Center: no devices are listed.

I have installed Thunderbolt Share (the whole reason for doing this): they won't connect.

I don't want to buy a discrete card as the motherboard has native TB4 ports. And I'd have to get a different motherboard than the ASRock (no TB Header).

Windows 11 is completely up to date, as are all the drivers for the motherboard, video, etc.

Am I going to have to ditch my wish to "network" my 2 PCs via Thunderbolt for File Sharing. 40 Gbps sure sounds nice! Better than 1 Gbps via Ethernet, which is what I do now.
And Windows 11 24H2 needs several tweaks to get the PCs set up for Home Networking via LAN.

 

[Lutfij]

I don't want to buy a discrete card as the motherboard has native TB4 ports. And I'd have to get a different motherboard than the ASRock (no TB Header).
You might want to invite a friend, who owns a Thunderbolt device, over and have them pair their device with your platform.

Since the issue is evident on both platforms, in spite of being from different board makers and having native Thunderbolt support, sans an add-on card, the issue can and will be drivers. Did you install all drivers listed on the Asus motherboard's support site, in an elevated command, i.e, Right click installer>Run as Administrator?

Moved thread from Components section to Motherboards section.