Once you think about the point of having a network - sharing resources;
then you realize that HomeGroup is dedicated to connecting to printers
and other users' pictures, music and other files.
Security comes from choosing what you share, after all this is a home system
and other members of the household are likely to have physical access to the
machines.
Only Windows 7 machines have the ability to understand this technology,
hence they are the only operating systems allowed to join a HomeGroup.
Vista and older machines can join Window 7 in a Workgroup, but that involves
separate configuration in the System section of Control Panel.
One common initial experience with Windows 7 in general and
HomeGroup in particular, is irritation, or even bewilderment, when
Microsoft says 'This feature will simplify your experience'.
However it's not long before it dawns on you that the new ways are
indeed more intelligent that the old Vista setup.
Let us assume that you have three Windows 7 machines on a home network.
A user on one of the computers needs to create, or initialize, the HomeGroup,
this is where you find the settings:
Start orb, Control Panel, Network and Internet, Network and Sharing, HomeGroup.
Key point: Note the password which will be required by other Windows 7
machines who join the HomeGroup.
The other computers fire up their Control Panel, navigate to
the Network and HomeGroup folder, each user can then join the HomeGroup using the
password from the first computer. Whoever created the HomeGroup can always go back to the
Control Panel, and get a copy of the original password.
All user accounts on each computer become potential members of the
HomeGroup, it's up to each user to decide which of their personal folders,
or 'Libraries' they want to shared; a tick in the box means a resource is
available for other Windows 7 users on the Home Network to view. It
seems that unlike a Workgroup you can have more than ten computers in a
HomeGroup.
Recommended: Solarwinds' Permissions Analyzer - Free Active Directory Tool
I like the
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permissions for a specific file or folder, and takes into account network share
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Think of all the frustration that this free SolarWinds utility saves when you are
troubleshooting authorization problems for user's access to a resource.
Give this permissions monitor a try - it's free!
HomeGroup is always called 'HomeGroup', thus avoid overthink and don't
worry about giving it a special name as you would with a Workgroup.
The other important principle is that is up to each individual to go through
the Control Panel procedure before their Pictures, Music and Libraries are
visible in the HomeGroup. Because of Windows 7's auto-detect ability
all they need is the HomeGroup password from the first computer.
As for viewing other people's shared folders, launch Windows Explorer and
seek out the HomeGroup folder, which is just above the Computer and Network
icons. On the screenshot you can see that Guy and Pauline have joined
the HomeGroup on the Jasmine Windows 7 machine.
Troubleshooting HomeGroup problems falls into three categories,
Newbie errors, configuration mistakes and bizarre stuff.
Newbie errors:
HomeGroups only works if you have Windows 7 not Vista, moreover you need a
second user, and preferably a second machine, in order to see HomeGroup
working.
Neither Windows 7 Starter, nor Home Basic can create a HomeGroup.
However, the good news is they can join an existing HomeGroup.
Another
restriction is that while Windows 7 domain-joined computers can join a
HomeGroup they cannot share their printers or folders. What this means
in practice is that if you take a domain-joined laptop home, it can join the
HomeGroup, the benefit being you can now access files on your home computer,
however, other no home computers can access shared folders on the laptop.
I thank Joe for helping me understand the abilities of domain-joined
computers in a Windows 7 HomeGroup.
Four Configuration Mistakes: Check Your Computer's Location
HomeGroup will only work if configure the computer's
current location to be: Home network. Check
in the
Control Panel, Network and Sharing Center that the network is not
'Unidentified' or 'Work network'.
You can only have one HomeGroup per subnet. Thus if you needed
to subdivide the computers you need to configure different IP Addresses
e.g. 192.168.1.x. And then 192.1.168.2.x.
Synchronize clocks. Networking problems seem to mushroom when
computer's clocks are out of synch. HomeGroup is one technology
that relies on the computers' time to be in step.
Wireless networks give intermittent errors, see if an ethernet wired
connection solves the problem.
Guy
Recommends:
SolarWinds Free Network Bandwidth Monitor
This freeware monitor is great for checking whether your network's load-balancing is performing as
expected, for example, are two interfaces are getting about equal
traffic?
It's easy to install and straightforward to configure. You will
soon be running tests to see how much network bandwidth your
applications consume.
The GUI has a lovely balance between immediate network traffic data in
the middle, combined with buttons to seek related data and configuration
settings. Give this monitor a try, it's free!
If you cannot setup HomeGroup, check the 'Advanced settings for sharing.
From the usual Control Panel, Network, HomeGroup folder, scroll down to
'Other HomeGroup actions', now click on 'Change advanced sharing settings'.
As you examine the radio buttons make sure that Public folder sharing is
turned on.
Password Problems - Enable IPv6
HomeGroup uses IPv6 for multicast discovery. If you get error code 0x80632094 when you try and
enter a valid password, then check that the IPv6 protocol is checked in the
NIC properties. Network and Sharing Center, Change adapter
connections, right-click and examine Properties for IPv6. You could
also try this registry method:
Add a DWORD,
DisabledComponents with a value 0xffffffff,
this disables all IPv6 components. Restart
the computer now edit
0xffffffff to 0. This enables
IPv6.
For more intractable problems call for the HomeGroup troubleshooter,
which can piggy-back the network trouble-shooters if required. If that
fails then search, or post your scenario in a good forum such as
TechNet Windows 7 forum.
»
Summary of Windows 7 HomeGroup Problems
Troubleshooting HomeGroup problems falls into three categories,
Newbie errors, configuration mistakes and bizarre stuff. HomeGroup is a new feature of Windows 7. You can clearly see how it
has evolved from Workgroups; once you tune in to it's ways and philosophy
then you can see that HomeGroup is a smart technology to share files on a
small network. Windows 7 HomeGroup is dedicated to connecting to printers
and other users' pictures, music and other files.
If you like this page then please share it with your friends
Guy Recommends:
SolarWinds' NPM - Network Performance Monitor
SolarWinds' performance monitor is designed for detecting network outages,
making it easy to see what's working, and what needs your attention.
This utility guides you through creating network maps; it also helps
identifying whether the
root cause is faulty equipment, or resource overload. Give NPM a try.
