I have a desktop and a laptop both running Windows 8 and are both members of the homegroup. In File explorer both machines can see the other in the homegroup but when I double click I get a message (on either machine) "This PC is currently unavailable". This has only been a problem since using 8. When I was all windows 7 the homegroup worked perfectly. Both machines have been set up to share everything including the kitchen sink. I must have a setting wrong somewhere. This used to be an intermittent thing. When I had my old desktop (also windows 8) other homegroup machines could occasionally see the desktop but sometimes not!! I have a BT router that on an individual basis works fine. All machines are using the wi fi on the router. Anyone any thoughts. Thanks in advance
Homegroups can be somewhat problematic when using wireless connections. This error message about the machine being currently unavailable is typical from what I've seen.
First check the time and date on all machines to make sure they are in sync, if not Homegroups won't work properly.
Have you tried leaving the Homegroup from all machines then creating a new one and rejoining?
After leaving the Homegroup if you are still having problems leaving or rejoining the Homegroup there are some files that require deleting at Peer Networking.
In order to see these files you will need to go into Folder Options and choose the option to "Show Hidden Files and Folders". You have to delete all files in Peer Networking from every machine in the Homegroup, then reboot and attempt to create another Homegroup and rejoin from all machines then test for connectivity.
You can see the path to the Peer Networking folder at the top of the picture.
Hi again - I think its worked. with an addition. Before deleting files everywhere (a tad scary) - after deleting the homegroup from all computers I reset the router and low and behold I was then able to set up a new homegroup and all the machine can see each other. Many thanks for all your suggestions
Hi again - I think its worked. with an addition. Before deleting files everywhere (a tad scary) - after deleting the homegroup from all computers I reset the router and low and behold I was then able to set up a new homegroup and all the machine can see each other. Many thanks for all your suggestions
Yes leaving the Homegroup and making a new one usually works, a little strange for the router to cause this type of problem since the two machines were connected to the internet but may have just been a firewall problem. Deleting those files causes no problems at all and usually fixes the can't leave or join the Homegroup problems. Glad it's working now.
Hello I deleted everything in the peernetworking folder and have successfully created a Homegroup. However call me crazy but I dont remember ever having a Desktop Icon in the homegroup. I cannot remove it. It is on both PCs that I have on the homegroup but is only visible to the actual user not the homegroup user. Is this a new feature or is something wrong here?
Sorry to bring up an old thread but I've been having headaches with homegroup for years, I just found this thread and done what chev65 suggested above and it worked brilliantly! Home group now works as it should
