Sharing Resources in Windows 7

If you are using more than one device with Windows 7 at home, it is possible to share documents, media and printers by creating a homegroup. Homegroups are protected by a password, but you only have to enter the password when adding a computer to a homegroup.

Once you have joined a homegroup you can choose which libraries you'd like to share. You can also prevent specific files or folders from being shared.

In order create a homegroup you need to be using Windows 7 Premium or better, but you can join a homegroup from any version of Windows 7.

To create a homegroup, you need to access the network and sharing centre in the control panel.

You then need to select homegroup in the bottom right hand corner of the sidebar


If a homegroup is not detected on your network then you will need to create one


You can then select what you would like to be shared on the network.


A password will then be generated, you will need to keep this password safe as you will need it to add any more computers to the homegroup.


Once you have created the homegroup you can choose to share more or less folders.

To join a homegroup you need to access the network and sharing centre and click on homegroup in the sidebar.
A list of the homegroups that are available on your network will then appear. You need to select the one you want and select Join now.

You will then be prompted to select what you want to share.

You will then need to enter the password.



You will now be a member of the homegroup, and able to share documents, media and printers between devices.

You can select individual folders to share. Right-click on the folder you want to share and select properties.


 

You then need to select the sharing tab, and then click share.

You then need to enter the user name of the person/people that you would like to share the folder with. The members of your homegroup will already have access to the folder if you are selecting a folder that is selected in the homegroup share.

You can select the kind of permissiony you want the user to have.

And that's all there is to it!