Windows 7: Can I Turn Off Homegroup?

I do not want to share files with anyone and have no reason to have a homegroup as far as I know.

However, I do want to print on a new wireless printer.

Will I mess up my printer connection if I unjoin the homegroup?

I just discovered this tutorial on here and wonder if I should switch to Public Network or unjoin the homegroup.

Network Location - Set as Home, Work, or Public Network

Please advise.

Hello Sunrise,

You could just leave the homegroup to no longer be joined to it, and not share anything with any other computer on the homegroup anymore.

Homegroup - Leave

If you like, you could also use OPTION ONE in the tutorial below to prevent your computer from being able to join a homegroup.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...-computer.html

Both options above will not affect your printer connection unless you were using it through the homegroup.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Hi Shawn,

Thanks for your response.

I am completely confused and miserable with my setup.

I cannot permanently turn off sharing files and folders in the Public and Private Networks. When I turn on the computer, I need to remember to turn those off.

Not very secure for a Wi-Fi laptop if I leave those on!

Is the Network Sharing (Public and Private) part of and the same thing as the homegroup????

Sorry, but a homegroup is not the same thing.

Instead, you could turn off "network discovery", "file and printer sharing", and "Public folder sharing" in both the Public and Private (Home or Work) profiles in Advanced sharing settings.

The tutorial link below for how to do this with "Public folder sharing", can help show you how with the others as well since their settings are right there.

Public Folder Sharing - Turn On or Off in Windows 7

Thank you, Shawn.

I already did all of that (from my regular non-admin account with UAC approval).

And the changed settings remain in effect while I remain connected and even if I log off and back on again.

However, when I shut down and then back on again, the settings for a Shared Network revert back to On so I need to remember to turn them off.

1. How do I fix this?

2. And what are the optimum security settings for a Wi-Fi laptop? Or is nothing truly secure? (Using a LynkSys router with WPA2-Personal and free ZoneAlarm firewall and free AVG anti-virus).

3. If I want to connect to a wireless printer, do I have to keep the Local Network Sharing set to share files and printers?

Sorry, Yes, to be able to connect to a wireless printer you will need to keep "file and printer sharing" and "network discovery" turned on.

This will be fine though. If you leave "password protected sharing" turned on and turn off "public folder sharing", then no one will be able to access anything from your computer if you also leave the homegroup.

Okay, thank you.

You're welcome.