Q: Yosemite [erroneously] displays multiple Shared Instances under Finder

I have this exact problem too, since upgrading to Yosemite. Not sure why or how to fix it yet.

I can see why you've posted this under "Numbers for Mac" forum, but I think that refers to the iWork app Numbers! There might be a better forum to ask this question!

Hi Bert,

I have asked our Hosts to move this thread to the Yosemite forum.

Kind regards,

Ian.

This seems tied to wake on network and an AirPort - the AirPort/OS tries to keep the host available even if its asleep - which should then 'wake on network' access.

But it seems that when it tries to make a spoofed system with the same name available - and the REAL one comes online - it gives it the same name and increments the number after it.

This meant that lots of services like iTunes Home Sharing, shared file or shared screen wouldn't work, or only sporadically because the BonJour name keeps getting changed out from under it.

So that explains why I have multiple systems with the same name clogging up the Finder sidebar under Shared.

The solution for me was to:

1. Set 'wake on network' to OFF on the machine that keeps getting duplicated in Finder sidebar - this was okay for me because the system I was having trouble with is acting as a Server - I also made sure that the system itself doesn't sleep

2. Check System Preferences..Sharing and make sure the Computer Name is correct (not MyMac (2)

3. Reboot AirPort

4. (May not need to do this) - I blew away my Finder prefs in ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist and relaunched Finder.app

Seems like its working now!

Have tried above, but instead of getting [name of network comp] (3-14), now I just get one iteration of that comp (25). I had to relogin to that iteration of the shared computer, as I had to do with the previous 14. Have been giving serious consideration to doing a clean install of Yosemite in hopes that it will solve this problem. (My wife's MBA has the same issue, but she doesn't ever need to access shared network comps.)

Don't bother with a clean install of Yosemite. I've just completed a clean install of Yosemite, and have the same problem. I found this thread searching for a solution.

I do have my Mac set to Wake-on-LAN, so wouldn't be surprised if it is that which is causing the problems.

I hope that the next point release will fix the problem, as it's one I never had on Mavericks with this same computer.

Hi,

I'm trying to follow your instruction. But I have one question. Which name/number should I use when going to Preferences->Sharing. I seenow in Finder Sidebar following: Macbook Pro (2), (3), (4), (5), (8) and (9), no (6) and (7)...

Please advise. Reboot of an Airport is necessary?

Thx in advance ...

iLech

Yup same problem here

If you're seeing a system on your network showing up multiple times like 'MyiMac', My'iMac(1)', 'MyiMac.(2)' etc. in another systems Finder sidebar, go to that system, and under System Preferences...Sharing have a look at 'Computer Name'. On my system it had changed the Computer Name and appended a number like 'MyiMac(2)'. So I edited the name back to 'MyiMac' and made sure that the text under the Computer Name setting read ''Computers on your local network can access your computer at: MyiMac.local"

Once thats done, rebooting your AirPort should do the trick - again - to be safe I went to the system that was showing all of the duplicated systems in the Finder sidebar, deleted that system's ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist and relaunched Finder.app

Hope this helps!

Thx a lot! Just final question. Should I simply delete com.apple.finder.plist? It will not harm anything?

Sorry for maybe stupid question, but I need to be more than 100% sure prior making unrecoverable steps...

Have a nice day!

See if after rebooting your AirPort it returns to normal on the other system, then try putting the system to sleep and waking it up and see if its normal, then if it still doesn't work you can delete the Finder prefs file.

The Prefs file is read by your Finder to set things like Finder view preferences, etc. If you delete it, Finder will create a new one, and you'll have to simply reset any preferences like Desktop icon size, etc.

As long as you only delete the Prefs file at ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist should be fine.

The file ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist does not exist on my MBP.

Thx a lot! It seems it works. After rebooting of Airport Extreme no need to delete plist file. No Macbook Pro ( x ) at sidebar in Finder.

Appreciate your help!