Homegroup - Create in Windows 8 | Windows 8 Help Forums

How to Create a Homegroup in Windows 8 and 8.1

Information

A homegroup is a group of PCs on a home network that can share devices (such as printers), and libraries (such as your Documents, Pictures, Music, and Video libraries). Using a homegroup makes sharing easier. Your homegroup is protected with a password, which you can change at any time.

Typically, a homegroup is created automatically when you set up a PC with Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, or Windows RT 8.1. If a homegroup already exists on your home network, you can just join it.

This tutorial will show you how to create a homegroup in a Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 PC that other PCs on the home network can join.

Note

Only PCs running Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 are able to create or join a homegroup.
In the Windows 7 Starter and Windows 7 Home Basic editions, you can join a homegroup, but you can’t create a homegroup.
In Windows RT and Windows RT 8.1, you can join a homegroup, but you can’t create a homegroup or share content with the homegroup.
If your PC belongs to a domain, you can join a homegroup but you can't create one. You can get to libraries and devices on other homegroup PCs, but you can't share your own libraries and devices with the homegroup.
On a PC that created or joined a homegroup, all user accounts except the Guest account will belong to the homegroup. Each user controls share access to their own libraries.
PCs that are turned off, hibernating, or asleep won't appear as part of the homegroup until it is back online.
You can't delete a homegroup, but if all PCs on the homegroup leave the homegroup, the homegroup will no longer exist.

Warning

HomeGroup Requirements in Windows 8/8.1:

All PCs in the homegroup must each have network sharing turned on.
All PCs in the homegroup must each have network discovery turned on for the Private network profile.
All PCs in the homegroup must each have the correct date and time set.
All PCs in the homegroup must each have a different PC name.
All PCs in the homegroup must have the same workgroup name.
All PCs in the homegroup must have the services below and their dependencies must be set to Running (start). They are by default.
- DNS Client
- Function Discovery Provider Host
- Function Discovery Resource Publication
- HomeGroup Listener
- HomeGroup Provider
- Network List Service
- Peer Networking Grouping
- Server
- SSDP Discovery
- UPnP Device Host
All PCs in the homegroup must have their network connection adapter settings below turned on (checked) in it's properties.
- File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks
- Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)
- Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)

If the PCs in the homegroup are using a wireless router, then check to make sure that say for example WLAN Partition (D-Link) or Enable Wireless Isolation (NETGEAR) are unchecked in the router's wireless settings. When it is enabled (checked), it prevents wireless devices from being able to see and communicate with each other on the network.

EXAMPLE: Accessing Homegroup in Windows 8 File Explorer

OPTION ONE

To Create a Homegroup in Windows 8/8.1 using PC settings

1. Open PC settings, and do step 2 or 3 below depending on what Windows 8 you have.

2. If you have Windows 8, click/tap on HomeGroup on the left side, click/tap on Create on the right side, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)

NOTE: If a homegroup already exists on your network, then you'll be asked to join it instead of creating a new one. All PCs must leave the homegroup to be able to create a new homegroup.

3. If you have Windows 8.1, click/tap on Network on the left side. (see screenshot below)

A) Click/tap on HomeGroup on the left side, click/tap on Create on the right side, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)

NOTE: If a homegroup already exists on your network, then you'll be asked to join it instead of creating a new one.

4. Select the libraries and devices you want to share with the homegroup by moving the sliders left (not share) or right (share). (see screenshots below)

5. Write down the homegroup password on the right side under Membership (Windows 8) or Password (Windows 8.1). (see screenshot above)

NOTE: Other PCs on your network will need this password to be able to join the homegroup.

6. When you are finished, you can close PC settings if you like.

OPTION TWO

To Create a Homegroup in Windows 8/8.1 using HomeGroup Control Panel

1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the HomeGroup icon.

2. Click/tap on Create a homegroup. (see screenshot below)

NOTE: If a homegroup already exists on your network, you'll be asked to join it instead of creating a new one.

3. Click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

4. Select the libraries and devices you want to share with the homegroup, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

5. Write down and/or print this homegroup password, and click/tap on Finish. (see screenshot below)

NOTE: Other PCs on your network will need this password to be able to join the homegroup.

6. When finished, you can close the HomeGroup window if you like. (see screenshot below)

That's it,
Shawn

Homegroup - Create in Windows 8

To Create a Homegroup in Windows 8/8.1 using PC settings

To Create a Homegroup in Windows 8/8.1 using HomeGroup Control Panel

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