Workgroup and homegroup question.

At work we have 15 computers, some xp and some 7, no servers, all on same network, no subnetting. Want to be able to have some computers able to see some of the other computers but not all. Can I do this with either work/home groups?

I've read about Workgroups and Homegroups and still have some Q's.

If two computers with Windows7, each have a different Workgroup names, then why can they still see each other in the Network section in the left-hand side pane of Windows Explorer? Is it supposed to do that? How do I get these computer to not see each other?

I think I'm missing something in how these groups work. Can someone please explain this to me.

I'm no expert on networking, but I'm just wondering if it's a permissions issue.

Permissions - Allow or Deny Users and Groups

erik2282 said:

At work we have 15 computers, some xp and some 7, no servers, all on same network, no subnetting. Want to be able to have some computers able to see some of the other computers but not all. Can I do this with either work/home groups?

I've read about Workgroups and Homegroups and still have some Q's.

If two computers with Windows7, each have a different Workgroup names, then why can they still see each other in the Network section in the left-hand side pane of Windows Explorer? Is it supposed to do that? How do I get these computer to not see each other?

I think I'm missing something in how these groups work. Can someone please explain this to me.

The workgroup name's being different makes no difference if those Windows 7 machines are in a Homegroup. Homegroup networks don't use the Workgroup name as a means to set up shares.

If you need to share with only certain people you need to add a User account for each user on every machine so they will appear on the "share with" list at which point you can add or remove them from the share with list.

The link that Seavixen posted shows you how.

the computers are not in homegroup. they are in workgroup.

Are you talking about setting up user accounts on every machine for everyone that will share files with those computers? even if they will never actually physically go to that computer? If so when the only person that uses that machine, will have 9 or 10 user accounts in the welcome screen login page or whatever it's called.

I will go the link and read up on it. Thanks for the replies.