Windows 10 has undergone significant changes since its release, and one of the features that has been impacted is Homegroup. Homegroup was a convenient way to share files and printers between computers on a local network. Although Microsoft has removed the Homegroup feature from Windows 10, there are still ways to achieve similar functionality. In this article, we will explore how to add Homegroup to Windows 10 and share files and printers between computers on your local network.
Understanding Homegroup and Its Removal from Windows 10
Homegroup was a feature introduced in Windows 7 that allowed users to easily share files and printers between computers on a local network. It was a convenient way to share resources without having to configure complex network settings. However, with the release of Windows 10, Microsoft removed the Homegroup feature, citing that it was not widely used.
Why Was Homegroup Removed from Windows 10?
Microsoft removed Homegroup from Windows 10 for several reasons:
- Low adoption rate: Despite being a convenient feature, Homegroup was not widely adopted by users.
- Complexity: Homegroup was not as straightforward to set up as Microsoft had hoped, leading to frustration among users.
- Alternative solutions: Microsoft believed that alternative solutions, such as OneDrive and the Share feature, could provide similar functionality to Homegroup.
Alternative Solutions to Homegroup in Windows 10
Although Homegroup is no longer available in Windows 10, there are alternative solutions that can provide similar functionality. Here are a few options:
Using the Share Feature
The Share feature in Windows 10 allows you to share files and folders with other users on your local network. To share a file or folder using the Share feature:
- Right-click on the file or folder: Right-click on the file or folder you want to share and select “Give access to” > “Specific people.”
- Enter the user’s email address: Enter the email address of the user you want to share the file or folder with.
- Choose the permission level: Choose the permission level you want to grant the user, such as “Read” or “Read/Write.”
- Click Share: Click the “Share” button to share the file or folder.
Using OneDrive
OneDrive is a cloud storage service provided by Microsoft that allows you to store and share files. To share a file using OneDrive:
- Upload the file to OneDrive: Upload the file you want to share to your OneDrive account.
- Right-click on the file: Right-click on the file and select “Get a link.”
- Copy the link: Copy the link to the file.
- Share the link: Share the link with the user you want to share the file with.
Creating a Homegroup Alternative in Windows 10
Although Homegroup is no longer available in Windows 10, you can create a similar network sharing setup using the following steps:
Step 1: Enable Network Discovery
Network Discovery allows your computer to be visible on the network and enables you to share files and printers. To enable Network Discovery:
- Go to Settings: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status.
- Click on Change connection properties: Click on “Change connection properties.”
- Toggle on Network Discovery: Toggle on “Network Discovery.”
Step 2: Enable File and Printer Sharing
File and Printer Sharing allows you to share files and printers with other computers on your local network. To enable File and Printer Sharing:
- Go to Control Panel: Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center.
- Click on Change advanced sharing settings: Click on “Change advanced sharing settings.”
- Toggle on File and Printer Sharing: Toggle on “File and Printer Sharing.”
Step 3: Share a Folder
To share a folder with other computers on your local network:
- Right-click on the folder: Right-click on the folder you want to share and select “Properties.”
- Click on the Sharing tab: Click on the “Sharing” tab.
- Click on Share: Click on “Share.”
- Enter the user’s name: Enter the name of the user you want to share the folder with.
- Choose the permission level: Choose the permission level you want to grant the user, such as “Read” or “Read/Write.”
- Click Share: Click the “Share” button to share the folder.
Step 4: Share a Printer
To share a printer with other computers on your local network:
- Go to Control Panel: Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
- Right-click on the printer: Right-click on the printer you want to share and select “Printer properties.”
- Click on the Sharing tab: Click on the “Sharing” tab.
- Toggle on Share this printer: Toggle on “Share this printer.”
- Enter a share name: Enter a share name for the printer.
- Click OK: Click “OK” to share the printer.
Conclusion
Although Homegroup is no longer available in Windows 10, there are alternative solutions that can provide similar functionality. By using the Share feature, OneDrive, or creating a Homegroup alternative, you can share files and printers with other computers on your local network.
What is HomeGroup and how does it work in Windows 10?
HomeGroup is a feature in Windows 10 that allows users to share files, printers, and other devices with other computers on the same network. It provides a simple and secure way to share resources without having to configure complex network settings. When you create a HomeGroup, you can choose what you want to share, such as documents, pictures, music, and printers, and other computers on the network can access these shared resources.
To use HomeGroup, all computers on the network must be running Windows 7 or later, and they must be connected to the same network. HomeGroup uses a password to secure the shared resources, and you can set the password when you create the HomeGroup. Once you’ve created a HomeGroup, you can join other computers to it by entering the password, and they will have access to the shared resources.
Why was HomeGroup removed from Windows 10, and how can I still use it?
HomeGroup was removed from Windows 10 in the April 2018 Update (version 1803). Microsoft removed HomeGroup as part of its effort to simplify the file-sharing experience in Windows 10. However, you can still use HomeGroup on Windows 10 if you’re running an earlier version of the operating system, or if you’ve upgraded from an earlier version that had HomeGroup enabled.
If you’re running a version of Windows 10 that no longer has HomeGroup, you can use alternative file-sharing methods, such as the Share feature in File Explorer or the Nearby Share feature. These features allow you to share files and folders with other computers on the same network, but they don’t offer the same level of simplicity and convenience as HomeGroup.
How do I create a HomeGroup in Windows 10?
To create a HomeGroup in Windows 10, go to the Control Panel and click on “Network and Sharing Center.” Click on “Change advanced sharing settings” and then click on “Create a homegroup.” Follow the prompts to create the HomeGroup and set the password. You’ll be asked to choose what you want to share, such as documents, pictures, and printers.
Once you’ve created the HomeGroup, you’ll see a confirmation page with the password and a list of the shared resources. You can use this password to join other computers to the HomeGroup. Note that you can only create a HomeGroup if you’re running a version of Windows 10 that still has the HomeGroup feature.
How do I join a HomeGroup in Windows 10?
To join a HomeGroup in Windows 10, go to the Control Panel and click on “Network and Sharing Center.” Click on “Change advanced sharing settings” and then click on “Join now.” Enter the password for the HomeGroup and follow the prompts to join. You’ll be asked to choose what you want to share with the HomeGroup, such as documents, pictures, and printers.
Once you’ve joined the HomeGroup, you’ll see a confirmation page with a list of the shared resources. You can access these resources by going to the File Explorer and clicking on the “HomeGroup” section. You can also use the HomeGroup to share files and printers with other computers on the network.
How do I share files and folders using HomeGroup in Windows 10?
To share files and folders using HomeGroup in Windows 10, go to the File Explorer and navigate to the file or folder you want to share. Right-click on the file or folder and select “Share with” and then “HomeGroup (view).” This will share the file or folder with the HomeGroup, and other computers on the network will be able to access it.
You can also share files and folders by dragging and dropping them into the HomeGroup folder in the File Explorer. This will automatically share the files and folders with the HomeGroup. Note that you can only share files and folders that are located on a local disk, and not on a network location.
How do I leave a HomeGroup in Windows 10?
To leave a HomeGroup in Windows 10, go to the Control Panel and click on “Network and Sharing Center.” Click on “Change advanced sharing settings” and then click on “Leave the homegroup.” Follow the prompts to leave the HomeGroup. This will remove your computer from the HomeGroup and you will no longer have access to the shared resources.
Note that if you’re the creator of the HomeGroup, you’ll need to delete the HomeGroup instead of leaving it. To delete a HomeGroup, go to the Control Panel and click on “Network and Sharing Center.” Click on “Change advanced sharing settings” and then click on “Delete the homegroup.” This will remove the HomeGroup and all shared resources will be unavailable.
What are the alternatives to HomeGroup in Windows 10?
If you’re running a version of Windows 10 that no longer has HomeGroup, there are alternative file-sharing methods you can use. One alternative is the Share feature in File Explorer, which allows you to share files and folders with other computers on the same network. Another alternative is the Nearby Share feature, which allows you to share files with nearby devices using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
You can also use other file-sharing methods, such as OneDrive or Google Drive, to share files with other computers on the network. These cloud-based services allow you to upload files to the cloud and share them with others, who can then access the files from their own devices.