Windows 7 - A few general network-related questions, some focusing on Windows 7

I've understood how to network two Windows XP computers together for a while. I understand the difference between share and NTFS permissions... but I have a few questions about some of the new sharing options in Windows 7. They are suppose to make things easier, but they just create some confusion for me since they co-exist with the more techy permissions way of doing things.


1. How exactly does Homegroup work? (I don't have another Windows 7 comp to play with!) Does it replace a Workgroup? What if I had two windows 7 computers, and an XP computer in my house? Could I have a homegroup between the Win 7 computers, and still have a Workgroup between all three computers?

2. Theoretical: What if I had a laptop that I used on a network at home, and also on a network at work, which is a small company. At work, the Workgroup name is: BusinessNet, and at home the name is the default WORKGROUP. Would I have to manually change the name of the Workgroup when I went between work and home? How would you take care of a scenario like this? Maybe there's something I'm missing here? My understanding of networking is very practical. I know enough to network any two windows computers together.

3. This relates to some of the options in "Advanced sharing settings" in Windows 7. First, the "public sharing folder" What does this do? Does it just automatically configure permissions for the "C:/users/public" folders? What if I delete those folders? Then does it just do nothing? Second "media streaming" Does this simply configure settings in Windows Media Center?

4. How does the "share with" feature work? Does it simply set the Share/NTFS settings for you?

That is all, for now. Thanks

Cro,

You might like what Microsoft has to say on homegroups: HomeGroup from start to finish - Help & How-to - Microsoft Windows

And to find out how to use homegroups on other Operating Systems, download these microsoft documents for an in-depth how-to: Download: Windows 7 & HomeGroup: Downlevel Sharing - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details
Or our very own tutorial: File Sharing - Between XP and W7 (and vice versa)

Public folder sharing gives you the option to broadcast any files you place in it with whoever is on your local network. How to turn it on/off: Public Folder Sharing - Turn On or Off in Windows 7

Not sure I know what you mean. Are you refering to the Public folder sharing as in the picture?:

This does control public shares with your local network, if that is what you are asking.
See the picture:


Some more info on sharing from our very own Sevenforums tutorials:
Homegroup - Change File and Folder Sharing Settings