Now that I have one Windows 7 computer with HomeGroup enabled on it, can I connect my other 2 machines to the HomeGroup (one is Vistaand one isXP). I can't see anywhere to allow this, but I really would think it would be built in to be fully functional.

I'm pretty sure homegroup is currently only support between windows 7 systems.

i would have thought with many people still sticking with vista for whatever reason once windows 7 goes RTM they would have at least supported vista with homegroup.

I don't have a home network and never will, is there a way to change this to just a standalone PC instead of Home Network?Thanks for any info.If all is not lost, where is it?

I don't have a home network and never will, is there a way to change this to just a standalone PC instead of Home Network?Thanks for any info.If all is not lost, where is it?

If you don't care about home network, set your network location to Public. It's probably the most secure by-default configuration that you can (should) use.

Thank you very much Felipe. Appreciate the help. Got it changed.If all is not lost, where is it?

Thank you very much Felipe. Appreciate the help. Got it changed.If all is not lost, where is it?

In the homegroups section click ADVANCED and go down to use username and password instead of homegroup. Hopefully should be able to see the computers then and connect (providing you know usernames and passwords on there)

I am unable to locate 'homegroup' from any of my other computers on my home network. I printed the pw and instructions; followed them to the letter and could not find homegroup join on any other system running Vista. Someone indicated earlier in this thread that homegroup was only possible between W7s. If that is the case I will probably be leaving the W7 beta test soon. Does anyone know if it possible for W7 and Vista to share files. I will point out that I can see all of the other computers on my home network but cannot access anything from anywhere (big step back from XP and Vista).Dr. Mike

I am having similar problems. I've installed Win 7 on my main computer in my home. For years I have enjoyed the convenience of being able to access files on either computer from either computer. I was very pleased with how easily I accessed files on the older comp when I installed win 7 on this one. It was right away; no muss no fuss. I was able to copy some personal files over and access any part of the old comp running XP. Now I am trying to access this (win 7) comp from my XP one with no luck. I can see this comp in my XP's Network Places. But it wont let me access it. I have done all I can to set my win 7 comp to share on the network. I see instructions for having computers join the 'homegroup' but those instructions don't seem to be followable from an XP comp. Anyone have any ideas? I agree with the good doctor. I find not being able to share files between my computers unacceptable.Computer User

The person that suggested turnning on public access had the right idea. Open explorer, right click on Network, chose properties, then click on chose home group and sharing options, then at bottom chose 'Change advanced sharing settings' then turn on Public sharing not just homegroup sharing. My only question is, Does this really open me up to the public? LOL. I don't think it does, I mean no one else is connected to my home network. Anyway. I can access this comp (the win 7 one) from the xp one now. Maybe I'll just switch that public sharing off and on when I want to access files on this comp from the other one.Computer User

I have several PCs on a home network running XP, Vista, and the single Windows 7 PC. I initially could not see the W7 PC from the others. I then added the W7 to the workgroup that all the other belong to. I can now access files between all PCs in all directions. I am asked for a user account and password from time to time

blue hair, care to elaborate on that. Sounds like you are saying you added your win 7 comp to your other comps work group (via your other comp ) that is made a change on your other comp. LOL not sure if I'm being clear here. Feel like I'm doing an abbot and costello routine by myself. Anyway didn't you have to change things on the win 7 comp to be able to access the two comps not running win 7. Is it on your win 7 comp you added it to the others workgroup. If so how?Computer User

I have a domain on my home network. On initial install I chose to not setup a homegroup, but I set the network options at "home network". When install was over, I joined the Windows 7 computer to the domain. There were no problems. The domain schema is level 48, Windows Server 2008 R2.

i don't know if i will be much help or not but what i did to get around the homegroup issues was to simply create shares. I would however recommend that you go into the permissions and remove (everyone) and add yourself and whomever you want to have access.I used this method to get my netbook to use the cdrom and blu-ray driveson my desktop. Provided that the usersare set up with a password on the host computer (of the share drive) you will be prompted for that. dml

Sorry to be so long in responding. All I did is to go to all W7 PCs and join the same workgroup that all the computers in my house belong to before installing the Beta. Prior to W7, MS used the default name of MSHOME. I've been a lot more original and called mine HOME. :)

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/window-on-windows/?p=1910

Don't work so hard.... here is the answer in this Microsoft Video... easy. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Networking-home-computers-running-different-versions-of-Windows -G

I'm pretty sure homegroup is currently only support between windows 7 systems. Marked As Answer byKerry_Brown<abbr class="affil">MVP</abbr>Saturday, January 10, 2009 3:28 AM Sorry.... lame answer not answering the actual question.