Windows 7: Homegroup Functionality Is Broken

Alright. This problem is really baffling me. I'm running Windows 7 RC Build 7100 (32-bit). I was attempting to set up a Homegroup on my computer, and I noticed it said I was already connected to a Homegroup. Strange, because I don't remember doing that. I didn't know the password for the group, so I thought I'll just reset it.

Unfortunately, it wouldn't let me change the password. It also won't let me view the current password or even LEAVE the Homegroup on my computer. Here are the things I try and the errors I get:

View or print the homegroup password
[No response]. The computer does absolutely nothing. No CPL pops up or anything.

Change the password...
This brings up the Change Password window. I can type whatever I want, but when I click Change, I get the error "Windows could not create the homegroup."

Leave the homegroup
"Windows couldn't remove your computer from the Homegroup."




Does this sound like anything someone else has encountered? Even Googling these errors comes up with zilch. I really don't want to reinstall, but it's looking more and more like I'm gonna have to.

I have this very same issue. I have a release copy of 7 Professional and I can not it to realize I have never set up a homegroup.

Make sure that both "HomeGroup Listener" and "HomeGroup Provider" services are running.

Now try.

try this
Homegroup issues
also delete this too...
C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Roaming\PeerNetworking

Ok, HomeGroup Provider is running, but HomeGroup Listener is not. When I try to start it, I get the error:

"Windows could not start the HomeGroup Listener on Local Computer. For more information, review the System Event Log. If this is a non-Microsoft service, contact the service vendor, and refer to service-specific error code -2147023143."

Also, of the two paths, C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Roaming\PeerNetworking did not exist (There was only one folder in "Roaming" and it was "Microsoft"). "C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Roaming\PeerNetworking" was there, but I could not delete all of the files because they were in use. I will try rebooting, then try deleting more of those files if possible, and let you know if that helps.

Edit: Here is the error log entry for the HomeGroup Listener service not starting:

Log Name: System
Source: Service Control Manager
Date: 9/16/2009 12:53:56 AM
Event ID: 7024
Task Category: None
Level: Error
Keywords: Classic
User: N/A
Computer: Aang
Description:
The HomeGroup Listener service terminated with service-specific error %%-2147023143.
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
<System>
<Provider Name="Service Control Manager" Guid="{555908d1-a6d7-4695-8e1e-26931d2012f4}" EventSourceName="Service Control Manager" />
<EventID Qualifiers="49152">7024</EventID>
<Version>0</Version>
<Level>2</Level>
<Task>0</Task>
<Opcode>0</Opcode>
<Keywords>0x8080000000000000</Keywords>
<TimeCreated SystemTime="2009-09-16T05:53:56.800781300Z" />
<EventRecordID>17838</EventRecordID>
<Correlation />
<Execution ProcessID="480" ThreadID="276" />
<Channel>System</Channel>
<Computer>Aang</Computer>
<Security />
</System>
<EventData>
<Data Name="param1">HomeGroup Listener</Data>
<Data Name="param2">%%-2147023143</Data>
</EventData>
</Event>

I have both Homegroup Listener and Homegroup Provider running. I tried to go and delete the PeerNetworking file but I do not have a file labeled that to delete.

You should be able too use the homegroup trouble shooter, view the password, or even leave the homegroup from here. If it doesn't work then it's probably time to punt the Op system and reinstall.

Think maybe repair would work? I would hate to reinstall....

And no the troubleshooter doesnt let me do anything.

interesting
try to delete the files in safe mode....
in sf mode
go here first
C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService
there say yes to the permissions prompt and there you should see the folders
then go through to find the folder and delete those files from both computers if possible
also go and check whether ipv6 is on your adapter....

I found that if Windows Firewall service is disabled and a 3rd party Firewall is not found, Windows will not allow the HomeGroup Listener to run and gives you the 2147023143 error. If the above is true for you, re-enable Windows Firewall service or try set it at least to manual then attempt to start the Listener.

In my case, I was able to restart the Homegroup Listener after doing this. I had disabled the firewall and hadn't installed my preferred 3rd party app yet.

I have 4 PCs correctly in my Homegroup, a 5th Laptop is giving me the error you have, but I am not locked out from joining or leaving homegroup on the mis-configured PC, only from access to the other PCs. Also on the 4 homegroup configured PCs; I checked the Windows/ServiceProfiles folder and none of those PCs do not have the folders noted above.

Restarting the listener has not repaired my issues with the Homegroup yet but I feel I am one step closer.