How to Create HomeGroup Network to Share Files & Folders in Windows 7

In these days everyone depends on network to share files, folders, photos, videos and conversations. Microsoft is looking ahead about all types of networking in Windows 7. HomeGroup is one of the interesting networking feature which makes easy sharing issues over home network in windows 7. You can easily share pictures, musics, videos, and printers with any one on your home network. None can modify or delete your shared files and folders without your consent. You can also prevent any particular files or folders from being shared and also share extra libraries later.

The HomeGroup networking becomes more useful if you want to share a printer.

How to create a HomeGroup?

• Click the “Start” button and select “Control Panel“.

• Click on “Choose Homegroup and Sharing option” under “Network and Internet” section in the Control Panel window.

• Now the HomeGroup window will appear. To create a HomeGroup click on “Create a homegroup“.

• In this upcoming window you can see several entries  like Photos, printer, music, video,document which you can share in Homegroup. To share, just check the box and click “Next”.

• Now the system generates a random password. Print or write down this password. Give this password information to the other users who want to join your HomeGroup network. Click on “Finish“.

Now your HomeGroup network  has been created successfully. You can change your HomeGroup password and sharing options.

How to join in a HomeGroup network?

To join in a HomeGroup network the user’s computer must be running with Windows 7. A user must provide the password which was created at time of creation of the network. To join

• Open the HomeGroup window from the Start menu > Control panel > Network and Internet >Choose Homegroup and Sharing option.
• A new window “HomeGroup” will appear. To join in a network click on “join now”.

• A “join a Homegroup” window will open. Check the boxes which you want to share and click on“Next”.

• Now type in the password and click on “Next“.

• You’ll get a message saying that you have joined the homegroup. Click on “Finish“.

Now you have successfully joined a HomeGroup and ready to access the shared files and folders by the Homegroup users.

Your HomeGroup network is password protected and you can change that at any time. To join in a HomeGroup network the computer must be running with Windows 7 operating system. HomeGroup feature is available in all version of Windows 7. Though you can’t create HomeGroup in Windows 7‘Starter’ and ‘Home Basic’ version, you can join in any HomeGroup network.