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Windows 10: How to join an existing Windows 7 Homegroup

Anonymous
2018-11-25T19:50:16+00:00

I'm sure this has come up dozens of times but every time I search for an answer, the advice simply says "just use the Homegroup utility" that came with Windows 10.

That's all well and good but now that Microsoft has seen fit to delete the Homegroup wizard/utility in the latest build, how does one join an already existing Homegroup that was set up with Windows 7 Pro?

If it matters, I'm running Windows 10 Pro 1803 build 17134.407.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Internet and connectivity

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-11-25T20:12:09+00:00

    Hi DCB_1, Microsoft removed the homegroup functionality in version 1803 of Windows 10 . . .

    If you have a problem seeing other PC's in the Network Section in File Explorer:

    Click your Start Button, type Services and hit Enter

    When the Services app opens, scroll down to find the following services, then double click each one in turn, set their startup type to Automatic and start the service if necessary

    1. Function Discovery Provider Host
    2. Function Discovery Resource Publication
    3. SSDP Discovery
    4. UPnP Device Host

    Save that and close the Services app

    That's It!

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2018-11-25T20:17:08+00:00

    To get you PC's to visible under File Explorer network section then most important part is to start some required services, but you have to check all network settings.

    Push Win Key and type "Services", locate those services, start them and set Start type to Automatic.

    Services are:

       - Function Discovery Provider Host

       - Function Discovery Resource Publication

       - SSDP Discovery

    • UPnP Device Host

    Look more detail from my example with screenshots how to make PC's to show in File Explorer network section, change network profile and setup file/folder shares.

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-files/homegroup-removed-how-to-get-network-sharing-work/01277332-2916-4a68-853a-116696b20743

    5 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2018-11-26T02:51:44+00:00

    Hello,

    Network sharing is changed on Windows now as HomeGroup is removed on V1803 or later.

    Here are the alternatives atm:

    https://www.kapilarya.com/homegroup-alternative...

    Hope this helps!

    P.S.: If you still want to use HomeGroup, you need to downgrade to V1709.

    Note: Included link(s) in this reply refers to blog post by a trusted Microsoft MVP.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2018-11-25T20:03:27+00:00

    Hi DCB_1,

    You are currently have 1803.

    Unfortunately, HomeGroup has been removed from Windows 10 (Version 1803).

    More information you can find here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/409136...

    Options to share network printer and files are still available, the steps you can find in the provided article as well.

    If you have more questions let me know

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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