I have a desktop and and laptop with one homegroup, and I shared files back and forth on both computers for months with no problems. Recently, I had an unidentified network show up on laptop and could not get internet access. Tried many ideas seen online, but finally paid Microsoft Tech Support to fix the problem. However, now I can't access the desktop computer files from the laptop via homegroup. Clicking Homegroup icon on the laptop says "no other homegroup computers are currently available", even though the desktop is on and can access the laptop via homegroup. From this page I click the "view Homegroup settings" link. The next ("Change homegroup settings" page says "The homegroup is not available because you're not connected to the home network". Then when I click on a "What is a network location?" link, it takes me to the "Set Network Location" page, which shows a light blue box around "Public". I select the "Home" option and get a response that the network location was changed, but clicking on Homegroup icon still gives the same message of other homegroup computers not available. I can go back to the Set Network Location page and it is back to Public. However, from the Network and Sharing center, it shows my home network as a "home network", not public. I've tried troubleshooters and searched online, but none of the problems are the same as mine--I tried a few things for close problems, but no solution. One final thing. I don't use the desktop very much, under Network and Sharing Center it shows the active network as "Network 3" rather than my home network name. I can't remember for sure, but I thought it used to say my home network name. I'm not sure why is says Network 3 on the desktop. I have no other networks and only one network adaptor shows in Device Manager on the desktop. On the laptop, the problem I called (and paid) Microsoft Support about involved extra wifi adaptors that kept recreating themselves, so ultimately the MS tech support guy just disabled them. Not sure if extra wifi adaptors on laptop relates to the Network 3 appearing on the desktop. Bottom line, I just want to get back to being able to access files on the desktop using the laptop via the homegroup sharings I've previously set up.

Regarding the home group, power on both pc & laptop that you intend to access the home group. Next go to either one say laptop first. Acess home group under ctrl panel>network and internet>home group. Verify do you have this option or wording under home group setting as in Change the password (for both pc and laptop)if there is, select leave the home group, make sure both pc and laptop are apply. Next ensure both the pc and laptop are in the same screen as the following linked http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v174/olivero/Homegroup-1.jpg Next go to the laptop and hit on create home group tab, ensure all stuff which you wanna share are checked (pictures, doucuments, video, prnters etc) and hit on next and a home group password would be automatically assign for the laptop On the other hand, the pc would automatically detect the home group, all you need is to the hit join now tab and you would be promted to enter the home group password (just type the home group password for the laptop which was assign earlier on) and hit next, once is done it would display you have joined the home group Note:ensure both homegroup are using the same password