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HomeGroup removed from Windows 10 (Version )
Jump to a Section. HomeGroup is a networking feature of Microsoft Windows introduced with Windows 7. It provides a way for Windows devices to share resources, including printers and different types of files, with each other. Although it was removed from Windows 10, older devices can still use the feature. Learn how to create and manage homegroups using any Windows 7 or 8 device. If you have a Windows 10 device, learn how to share your network printer , or how to share files in File Explorer.
To create a new homegroup, follow these steps:. Open the Windows Control Panel. Choose Network and Internet. Select HomeGroup. Select Create a homegroup to start the homegroup wizard. Select the types of resources on this PC to be shared with the homegroup from among the available choices: Pictures , Music , Videos , Documents , and Printers. These choices can be changed later. Select Next. Write down the automatically-generated password a combination of letters and numbers shown on the last page of the wizard and select Finish to exit the wizard.
These two versions of Windows 7 disable the capability to create homegroups although they can join existing ones. Setting up a homegroup requires the home network to have at least one PC running an advanced version of Windows 7 such as Home, Premium, or Professional. Homegroups also cannot be created from PCs that belong to a Windows domain. Homegroups become useful only when two or more computers belong to a homegroup.
To add more Windows 7 PCs to a homegroup, follow these steps from each computer to be joined:. Open the HomeGroup sharing window from inside Control Panel steps 1 and 2 above. Confirm the homegroup name listed is correct, and select Join Now. Enter the homegroup's password, then select Next to complete the process. Select Finish to exit. Computers can also be added to a homegroup during the Windows 7 installation.
If the PC is connected to the local network and Windows discovers a homegroup during the install, the user is prompted to join that group. To remove a computer from a homegroup, open the HomeGroup sharing window and choose the Leave the homegroup link near the bottom. A PC can belong to only one homegroup at a time. To join a different homegroup than the one a PC is currently connected to, first, leave the current homegroup, then join the new group following the procedures outlined above.
Windows organizes the file resources shared by homegroups into a special view in Windows Explorer. To access shared files, open Windows Explorer and, in the Folder pane, navigate to the Homegroup section located between the Libraries and Computer sections. Expand the Homegroup icon to show a list of devices currently connected to the group, and expand each device icon, in turn, to access the files and folders that the PC currently shares under Documents, Music, Pictures, and Video.
Files shared with HomeGroup can be accessed from any member computer as if they were local. When the hosting PC is off the network, however, its files and folders are unavailable and not listed in Windows Explorer.
By default, HomeGroup shares files with read-only access. Several options exist for managing folder sharing and individual file permission settings:. HomeGroup also automatically adds shared printers into the Devices and Printers section of each PC connected to the group. While Windows automatically generates a homegroup password when the group is first created, an administrator can change the default password to a new one that's easier to remember.
This password also should be changed when permanently removing computers from the homegroup or when banning individual people. To change a homegroup password:. From any computer belonging to the homegroup, go to Control Panel and open the HomeGroup sharing window. Scroll down, and select Change the password. To view the password currently in use, click the View or print the homegroup password link.
Repeat steps 1 through 3 for each computer in the homegroup. To prevent synchronization issues with other computers on the network, Microsoft recommends completing this procedure across all devices in the group immediately. While Microsoft designed HomeGroup to be a reliable service, it may be necessary to troubleshoot technical issues with either connecting to the homegroup or sharing resources. Watch for these common problems and technical limitations:.
HomeGroup includes an automatic troubleshooting utility that diagnoses specific technical issues in real time. To launch this utility:. Go to Control Panel and open the HomeGroup sharing window. Scroll down and select Start the HomeGroup troubleshooter.
HomeGroup is a separate technology from Microsoft Windows workgroups and domains. Windows 7 and 8 support all three methods for organizing devices and resources on computer networks.
Compared to workgroups and domain, homegroups:. Some tech enthusiasts developed methods to extend the HomeGroup protocol to work with older versions of Windows or with alternative operating systems like macOS and Mac OS X. These unofficial methods tend to be difficult to configure and suffer from technical limitations. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies.
Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. By Bradley Mitchell Bradley Mitchell. Tweet Share Email. In This Article Expand. Create a Homegroup. How to Use Homegroups. Change the Password.
HomeGroup vs. Non-Windows Devices. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Email Address Sign up There was an error. Please try again. You're in! Thanks for signing up. There was an error. Tell us why! More from Lifewire.
Windows 10 homegroup free -
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Detect Hidden Surveillance Cameras. Dark Mode on Every Website in Chrome. Disable Bing in Windows 10 Start Menu. Hide Steam Games You're Playing. Use Your iPhone as a Webcam. Browse All Buying Guides. To add more Windows 7 PCs to a homegroup, follow these steps from each computer to be joined:. Open the HomeGroup sharing window from inside Control Panel steps 1 and 2 above. Confirm the homegroup name listed is correct, and select Join Now. Enter the homegroup's password, then select Next to complete the process.
Select Finish to exit. Computers can also be added to a homegroup during the Windows 7 installation. If the PC is connected to the local network and Windows discovers a homegroup during the install, the user is prompted to join that group.
To remove a computer from a homegroup, open the HomeGroup sharing window and choose the Leave the homegroup link near the bottom. A PC can belong to only one homegroup at a time. To join a different homegroup than the one a PC is currently connected to, first, leave the current homegroup, then join the new group following the procedures outlined above.
Windows organizes the file resources shared by homegroups into a special view in Windows Explorer. To access shared files, open Windows Explorer and, in the Folder pane, navigate to the Homegroup section located between the Libraries and Computer sections. Expand the Homegroup icon to show a list of devices currently connected to the group, and expand each device icon, in turn, to access the files and folders that the PC currently shares under Documents, Music, Pictures, and Video.
Files shared with HomeGroup can be accessed from any member computer as if they were local. When the hosting PC is off the network, however, its files and folders are unavailable and not listed in Windows Explorer.
By default, HomeGroup shares files with read-only access. Several options exist for managing folder sharing and individual file permission settings:. HomeGroup also automatically adds shared printers into the Devices and Printers section of each PC connected to the group.
While Windows automatically generates a homegroup password when the group is first created, an administrator can change the default password to a new one that's easier to remember. Cancel Submit. Sumit Volunteer Moderator Volunteer Moderator.
Homegroup has been removed from Windows 10 How satisfied are you with this reply? Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site. Pauli O. Choose where you want to search below Search Search the Community. Search the community and support articles Windows Windows 10 Search Community member.
I need a detailed set of instructions concerning, creating a private Network. This thread is locked. You can follow the question or vote as helpful, but you cannot reply to this thread. I have the same question Report abuse.
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