Windows firewall blocks homegroup

Hi everybody,
I'm trying to setup a homegroup. At first I set it up on one of my computers. Then I tried to join the homegroup on the other one, but the homegroup didn't show up. So, I turned off windows firewall and it worked fine.

The thing is, I don't want to leave the entire firewall off - I'd preffer to add a rule exclusively for the homegroup. But the homegroup doesn't appear in the list of programs in the firewall settings. Is there a way to make such a rule?

Best Regards,
Kuba

Turn the Win Firewall off. Not needed if you are behind a router. Just makes all things networking harder.

Thanks edwar,
I heard that some routers have a built in firewall feture. I'm not sure if mine does. Will it still be safe without a firewall in router?

choppedporks said:

Hi everybody,
I'm trying to setup a homegroup. At first I set it up on one of my computers. Then I tried to join the homegroup on the other one, but the homegroup didn't show up. So, I turned off windows firewall and it worked fine.

The thing is, I don't want to leave the entire firewall off - I'd preffer to add a rule exclusively for the homegroup. But the homegroup doesn't appear in the list of programs in the firewall settings. Is there a way to make such a rule?

Best Regards,
Kuba

If this is the case then you have problems other than just the Homegroup because Windows firewall certainly does not block Homegroups from working.

Turning the Windows 7 firewall off should not be an option and is very unsafe.

You should try going through the Homegroup trouble shooter in the link below.
http://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-7/wi...-to-homegroup/

choppedporks said:

Thanks edwar,
I heard that some routers have a built in firewall feture. I'm not sure if mine does. Will it still be safe without a firewall in router?

All routers have a NAT firewall and some have other firewall features to set rules for incoming and outgoing connections.

So your router has the default NAT firewall, at least.

Chev65, I followed the Guide, but I still couldn't connect. Whenever I enable automatic discovery, and click ok, and then go back again to check it - it's already disabled again. Finally, I'll stay with edwar's advice. Thanks for help

BTW: The rule for homegroup can be added, you just have to add a rule in advanced settings. But still didn't help in my case.

choppedporks said:

Hi again,
Just one last question: Chev65, you said it is unsafe to turn off the firewall, but edwar says I'm still protected by router NAT firewall. Both computers I use behind the router are trusted, and there is little chance anyone in the neighbourhood can receive the router signal. Is it still unsafe in that case?

It's all about paranoia. If your paranoid about things on you computer going out to the net then a software, On Computer, firewall is for you. But then you have to deal with the problems that "May" occur with networking computer together on the your LAN.

I personally do not use any Software firewall or any AV software, haven't used any AV software on any of my computer for years and have never been infected with anything.
I do have a Real Firewall Router. But I only setup rules to block incoming connections from overseas IP addresses.

If you install JUNK software from shady sources then AV and FW software might be needed. I don't do either so I don't use either.

Do what you feel best.

chev65 said:

If this is the case then you have problems other than just the Homegroup because Windows firewall certainly does not block Homegroups from working.

Turning the Windows 7 firewall off should not be an option and is very unsafe.

You should try going through the Homegroup trouble shooter in the link below.
Ultimate Troubleshooting Guide for Windows 7 HomeGroup Connection Issues

That is an Opinion that I do not share. But you are entitled to your opinion just like I am entitled to mine.

EDIT:
Please advice why it is UnSafe to turn off the Windows firewall.