Explaining Windows 7 HomeGroups

If you use multiple computers in the home, you most likely want to share files across them on your home network.

The easiest way to share files between Windows PCs is by use of workgroups.

A brief history of workgroup networking in Windows:

Microsoft did in fact coin the term workgroup for peer-to-peer Windows networking. This first appeared in Windows for Workgroups 3.1 in 1992 (version 3.11 wasn’t until 1993). It was and still is a novel idea because it allows the networking of computers without the need for centralized server.

Workgroup networking in Windows has basically remained the same since 1992. The only real differences is that we all use the TCP/IP protocol now instead of NetBEUI, and there have been several security enhancements over the years.

What is a HomeGroup in Windows 7?

This is essentially an enhanced workgroup. On first encounter it would most likely confuse the crap out of most people, however in reality it is far superior security-wise and in fact does make sense.

Windows 7 places emphasis on only sharing things out from your Libraries folder for enhanced security.

Libraries are easy enough to understand:

Your Libraries is a collection of your stuff. Documents, music, photos, videos and whatever else you want go here so it’s not scattered all over your hard drive.

Using a HomeGroup

Above: This is what happens when you use a HomeGroup for the first time. You just pick the stuff you want to share out. Very simple and straightforward.

And yes, it does emphasize right in the first sentence, “..with other computers running Windows 7.” This is a Windows 7 specific feature.

Can I share stuff out to my 2000/XP/Vista PCs on my network?

Yes. But unfortunately you have to “dumb down” the security in order to make it happen.

This is how this is done. I strongly suggest bookmarking this page because I guarantee you will have to come back here for a refresher on how to do this.

Above: From the Control Panel there is a link for “Choose homegroup and sharing options”. Click that first.

Above: Click “Change advanced sharing settings…”

Above: Expand “Home or Work” by clicking the accompanying down arrow to the right.

Above: Note where it states “File sharing connections”. This is what you need to pay attention to.

Other PCs with older operating systems on your network obviously will not have 128-bit network encryption support – and this includes Windows 2000/XP. You specifically have to enable the “40 or 56-bit encryption” option just to get other older Windows boxes to see your newer Windows 7 box.

This will be the most valuable information to you if you run other boxes with older Windows on your network.

I should note that if you can, run Win 7 on all your PCs. But if you can’t (and I wouldn’t blame you if you couldn’t), you will have to degrade the encryption just to share out files properly from one box to the next.