What is Homegroup?

I've had Windows 7 (upgrade) for a year now. And all of the sudden after an update a Homegroup Icon showed up on my homepage/screen. It shows the word Homegroup with blue and green spheres.

OK. I did a search here and viewed all with the word Homegroup in title. But I could't find out what exactly Homegroup is.

I do have 3 computers here but I do not wish to share anything between them.

I did read how to remove the Icon from the desktop and how to remove Homegroup entirely.

But what is Homegroup? And why did it just show up on my desktop?

StalkeR said:

Read this,I think It would help you to understand
Windows 7 Features: HomeGroup

I have one XP desktop, one Vista laptop, and one desktop Windows 7.

So from reading above. Homegroup will not be any advantage to me presently?

Brink said:

Hello Songkrai,

No, not at this time. Homegroup is only for networked Windows 7 computers.

Homegroup - Add Computer or Join

Thanks.

I never heard of it until yesterday.

So any idea why the desktop Icon just showed up after one year of Windows 7 (upgrade)?