HomeGroup

As the name suggests, HomeGroup is aimed at home users and networks. This feature allows for easy sharing of files and printers in a home network. HomeGroup uses a password to secure the home network. A user can share pictures, documents, music, printers, and/or videos. Creating a HomeGroup is only possible on Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions while any edition can join a current HomeGroup.

Configuring a HomeGroup is very simple and user friendly. When connecting to a home network for the first time, the network configuration wizard will pop up and ask the user what type of network the system is connected to.

It is important that users be trained to select the correct network because the Windows Firewall settings depend on the network that is selected. When Home network is selected, the system will scan the network for a Home- Group. It will then prompt the user to select what items should be shared in the HomeGroup. If there is already a HomeGroup created in the home network, then a password will be requested. Once the user inputs that password once, Windows 7 will detect and connect to that HomeGroup every time the system is on the network. If a HomeGroup is not detected, the step after selecting what to share will create one and create a password . This password should be stored safely and only given to trusted users on the network that wish to connect to the HomeGroup.