Existing Homegroup not showing in folder sharing options

[eglovesasailor]

Hi everyone;

I'm trying to setup a scheduled overnight unattended Syncback backup between various drives on my 2 network PCs, both running Windows 7 Home Premium. One PC is 64 bit, and running all the time to monitor some cctv cameras. The other is 32 bit, and hibernates a lot. They're connected by wifi.

My initial attempts to setup a homegroup failed some time ago, I don't remember why, so I gave network folder sharing permissions for the time being. I had to allow 'share with all', because the PC I wanted to share with wasn't showing up in the 'share with' options.

But this means I guess that anyone I give my wifi password to can now see all my files?

I continued working at the homegroup thing, and now both PCs show the other in windows explorer/homegroup, both can access the other's files via homegroup as I want for the backup. Now I want to restrict the insecure 'share with all' settings I made earlier and change them to 'share with homegroup' or even 'share with PC#1 by name.

I also want to give sharing permissions to other drives on both PCs for the backup, but not as network drives accessible to all, rather shared through the Homegroup.

Unfortunately neither of these options appear when I go through the 'share with' options. I try adding, searching by name for either homegroup or PC#1, all I get is 'An object named "HOMEGROUP" cannot be found.' And likewise for PC#1.

This is driving me nuts because there IS a homegroup, it's there in windows explorer on both PCs, and Control Panel/Homegroup also confirms this on both PCs.

Sorry for being so long-winded, but does anyone have any idea how to proceed? I rebooted both PCs for luck, but nothing changed.

Cheers from not so sunny Holland!

 

[2xg]

Welcome to Seven Forums!

A convenient way to see and access shared network resources - e.g. printer, files/folders is.... by creating a mapped network drive and shortcut on each computer's desktop.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/49517-map-network-drive.html

How to create a shortcut: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/49321-map-network-drive-shortcut-create.html

If there's an issue with mapping a computer name, you may substitute it with the computer's IP Address (if using an IP Address to map a network drive, make sure that it is a fixed or manually assigned to each computer).
How to assign Static IP address: How to Assign a Static IP Address in Windows 7, 8, XP, or Vista

 

[eglovesasailor]

Hi;

"A convenient way to see and access shared network resources - e.g. printer, files/folders is.... by creating a mapped network drive..."

I can see and access shared network resources already, thank you, as I've said in my post. I don't see how setting up a mapped network drive is going to help me with my homegroup and network folders permissions problem.

Can you explain it please?

cheers!

 

[2xg]

Sorry about that if it's confusing as I preferred manually setting up mapped drives or shortcuts for my backups and I must have overlooked your concern about not seeing the Homegroup name in the share options of your folder.

Back to your issue here, you might want to try the Homegroup Troubleshooter.

I continued working at the homegroup thing, and now both PCs show the other in windows explorer/homegroup, both can access the other's files via homegroup as I want for the backup. Now I want to restrict the insecure 'share with all' settings I made earlier and change them to 'share with homegroup' or even 'share with PC#1 by name.

I also want to give sharing permissions to other drives on both PCs for the backup, but not as network drives accessible to all, rather shared through the Homegroup.

If the troubleshooter didn't help, you may re-create your Homegroup by following the Tutorial here. I know that it can be a tedious process but might be worth it to give it a try.

 

[eglovesasailor]

Thanks.