How to Join a Homegroup in Windows 8 and 8.1
InformationA 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 join a homegroup in a Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, or Windows RT 8.1 PC when another PC on your home network that created a homegroup.
You'll need the homegroup password to be able to join the homegroup, which you can get from any homegroup member.
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 join a homegroup in a Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, or Windows RT 8.1 PC when another PC on your home network that created a homegroup.
You'll need the homegroup password to be able to join the homegroup, which you can get from any homegroup member.
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 a homegroup. 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 everyone leaves the homegroup it will be gone.
WarningHomeGroup 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 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.
EXAMPLE: Accessing Homegroup in Windows 8 File Explorer
OPTION ONE
To Join a Homegroup in Windows 8 using PC settings
1. If you have not already, make sure that the PCs that are already in the homegroup you want to join are turned on and not asleep.
2. Open PC settings, and do step 3 or 4 below depending on what Windows 8 you have.
3. If you have Windows 8 or Windows RT, and click/tap on HomeGroup on the left side. On the right side, enter the homegroup password that is the same one used by all PCs in the homegroup, click/tap on Join, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshots below)
NoteIf a homegroup doesn't already exists on your network, you'll be asked to create a new one instead of join. The password is case sensitive.
Note
If this PC was previously joined to the same homegroup, left the homegroup, and the same homegroup is still active when trying to rejoin the homegroup, then the password will be remembered and automatically entered. You will not see these screens in this case.
4. If you have Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1, click/tap on Network on the left side. (see screenshot below)
A) Click/tap on HomeGroup on the left side. On the right side, enter the homegroup password that is the same one used by all PCs in the homegroup, click/tap on Join, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below)
NoteIf a homegroup doesn't already exists on your network, you'll be asked to create a new one instead of join. The password is case sensitive.
Note
If this PC was previously joined to the same homegroup, synced homegroup password, left the homegroup, or the same homegroup is still active when trying to rejoin the homegroup, then the password will be remembered and automatically entered. You will not see these screens in this case.
5. 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)
6. When you are finished, you can close PC settings if you like.
OPTION TWO
To Join a Homegroup in Windows 8 using HomeGroup Control Panel
1. If you have not already, make sure that the PCs that are already in the homegroup you want to join are turned on and not asleep.
2. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the HomeGroup icon.
3. Click/tap on Join now. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If a homegroup doesn't already exists on your network, you'll be asked to create a new one instead of join.
4. Click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)
5. Select the libraries and devices you want to share with the homegroup, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)
6. Type in the homegroup password, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)
NoteThe password is case sensitive.
Note
If this PC was previously joined to the same homegroup, synced homegroup password, left the homegroup, or the same homegroup is still active when trying to rejoin the homegroup, then the password will be remembered and automatically entered. You will not see the screen below in this case.
7. Click/tap on Finish. (see screenshot below)
8. When finished, you can close the HomeGroup window if you like. (see screenshot below)
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Join or Add a Computer to a Homegroup in Windows 7
- How to Create a Homegroup in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Allow or Prevent your PC to Join a Homegroup in Windows 7 and Windows 8
- How to View the Homegroup Password in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Change the Homegroup Password in Windows 8
- How to Leave a Homegroup in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Remove Currently Unavailable PC you no longer have from Homegroup in Windows 7 and Windows 8
- "Share with" and "Stop Sharing" Files and Folders on a Network or Shared PC in Windows 8
- How to Change Homegroup Sharing Settings in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Recommend your File History Drive to Homegroup in Windows 8
- How to Create a "HomeGroup Settings" Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Add a Virtual Private Network Connection in Windows 8.1
- How to Add or Remove Homegroup Desktop Icon in Windows 8 and 8.1
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