By George Norman
Added on 11 Nov 2009(15130 Views)



We’ve talked quite a bit about Windows 7 and the HomeGroup feature it provides. We’ve told you how to create a HomeGroup, how to view and how to change the HomeGroup password, how to share a printer over the HomeGroup and how to leave the HomeGroup if at some point you no longer feel like being a part of it. And why shouldn’t we cover HomeGroup in detail? After all, it is a feature that seamlessly allows you to share data with other Windows 7-powered computers on your network.

Here’s how Microsoft presents the HomeGroup feature: “Have you ever needed to print a file at home when you weren’t connected to a printer? Did you decide that even with a home network, it was easier to just put the file on a USB drive and take it to the PC with the printer? That’s one reason we created HomeGroup. New with Windows 7, HomeGroup takes the headache out of sharing files, devices, and printers on a home network. Connect two or more PCs running Windows 7, and HomeGroup makes it easy to automatically start sharing your music, pictures, video, and document libraries with others in your home.”

Joining a HomeGroup is a piece of cake. Here is what you have to do

Step 1. Make sure a HomeGroup has already been created. One computer on the network must create a HomeGroup, then all the other computers can join in.

Step 2. Make sure you know the HomeGroup password.

Step 3. Click the Start button.

Step 4. Click Control Panel from the Start Menu.

Step 4. In the search box type in homegroup -> now click HomeGroup.

Step 5. From the bottom right hand corner of the window click Join Now.

Step 6. Select the Libraries you would like to share over the network. Pictures, Music Videos and Printers are checked by default. You can add Documents by checking the box. Now click Next.

Step 7. Type in the HomeGroup password.

Step 8. Click Next and wait for the computer to join the HomeGroup.

Step 9. Click Finish and you’re done.

Tips and warnings
  • Any Windows 7-powered computer can join a HomeGroup. The same does not apply to creating a HomeGroup. This is reserved to Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate customers.




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Tags: Microsoft, Windows 7, HomeGroup, Sharing

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Comments

RaFi - 02 Jun 2011 11:36
Please add a very important information: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2521416
tomurph - 22 Oct 2010 21:33
Sorry but have to say HOMEGROUP ranks right up there with ME in dumbass ideas by MS!!! The option of a shared folder over basic networking did the trick by itself none of this BS is required!! A case of how many more bells and whistles can I add to make it look pretty.
Jedi - 15 Oct 2010 19:41
I had the same thing happen (No Join Button), so I clicked on Troubleshoot Homegroup. It then gave me an option to check the network, so I skipped that. Then it checked everything was running for the Homegroup etc and refreshed them. Suddenly the Join button was available. Once chosen I could enter the password from the Homegroup on the other PC. Hope this helps anyone.
jafvs - 09 Oct 2010 03:51
there is no 'join now' dumbass
Joseph - 15 Sep 2010 03:48
same problem here, there's no Join now button. It only shows "Create homegroup". It supposed to show "Join now" right?, 'cause I've already made a homegroup on the other one.
Sowri Rajan - 07 Sep 2010 16:51
Please refer to Jimbo's comment. I am facing the same problem. Both the machines have only the Create Homegroup and not Join now. Have you been able to resolve the problem? Thank you, Kind regards, Rajan
Sowri Rajan - 07 Sep 2010 16:51
Please refer to Jimbo's comment. I am facing the same problem. Both the machines have only the Create Homegroup and not Join now. Have you been able to resolve the problem? Thank you, Kind regards, Rajan
Jimbo - 28 Aug 2010 10:52
Step 5. From the bottom right hand corner of the window click Join Now. There is no Join Now button at this point in my system. If I follow this on the machine that the homegroup is set up on, all I get at this point is a list of sharing options. If I follow this from a machine that has no homegroup I only get a 'create homegroup' button. I'm running windows 7 pro 64 bit on one machine and 32 bit on another.
karstars - 04 Jun 2010 07:01
OMG, thank you very much. You saved my life.

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