Win7 Homegroups - How do I use them

I have a desktop and a laptop, both with Win7 Home Premium. According to what I've been able to find, Homegroups is installed when I set up Windows, and select Home, but unless I have Pro, I can't create them. Most of what I've found tells about creating them, so those don't answer my questions. Both computers show that they are a member of the Workgroup named WORKGRPOUPS, but I see nothing about homegroups.

My question is, how do I actually access files on one or the other computer from either of them? Currently, I have a server running Linux Apache so when I need to access a file on one computer from the other, I copy it to the server and get it from there...a bother, but OK in a pinch. Also, one printer is connected by cable to my LAN and the other by USB cable to the desktop. I'd like to access the second from the laptop, but don't know if that's a function of Homegroups, or needs some kind of virtual desktop app.

I must be missing something. Surely, Homegroups was meant to be intuitively usable by non-experts, so with a moderate computer literacy, what am I missing?

Thanks!
Optiker

Hi Kari...

OK..I'll give it a try.

Thanks!
Optiker

Hi Kari...

Thanks for trying! :)

I tried going through it and got thoroughly confused. All I want to do is to be able to access everything on two computers on the same LAN from either one. I guess I'm a little dense.

I'll just stick to using my server as a transfer buffer. It's crude, but at least I understand it and it works.

Thanks again!
Optiker

Hi Kari...

Thanks again for sticking with me. I'll check on the Network and Sharing Center settings, but I think I already have them set that way.

One of the problems I'm having is that whatever I do, it has to be very straightforward because while I can struggle a little, my wife also uses both computers and needs to be able to use files on both, so the process needs to be as simple as possible. Ideally, when both computers are turned on, in Explorer, each shows up on the other's network listing (they don't currently), and is as accessible as files and folders on the computer being used.

I vaguely recall that before I retired, on my computer at work, I could map a network drive that connected on startup, and it showed up just like any drive on my own computer. I don't recall the mechanics, but I guess that's what I was hoping to accomplish.

Thanks again! I'll try it later today and report back.

Optiker

Optiker said:

Hi Kari...

Thanks again for sticking with me. I'll check on the Network and Sharing Center settings, but I think I already have them set that way.

One of the problems I'm having is that whatever I do, it has to be very straightforward because while I can struggle a little, my wife also uses both computers and needs to be able to use files on both, so the process needs to be as simple as possible. Ideally, when both computers are turned on, in Explorer, each shows up on the other's network listing (they don't currently), and is as accessible as files and folders on the computer being used.

I vaguely recall that before I retired, on my computer at work, I could map a network drive that connected on startup, and it showed up just like any drive on my own computer. I don't recall the mechanics, but I guess that's what I was hoping to accomplish.

Thanks again! I'll try it later today and report back.

Optiker

The part in bold is easily fixed by simply going into the Advanced Sharing settings via the Network and Sharing Center then turn on Network Discovery and File and Printer Sharing.

chev65...already turned on

Kari...OK...can do, as soon as I remember where I put my password. I tried turning off the password requirement in the sharing center, but that didn't seem to do it. I'll keep trying, but I think it's time to let this thread die. You've certainly led me by the hand through the necessary steps. Thanks very much for your patience.

Optiker