Windows 8 HomeGroups allows you to share files such as music, movies and documents with other computers on the same network through a permission based password. This also allows the connecting laptop to use devices on a network such as printers and storage media.

You can also grant permission to items such as TV's and game consoles to have access to media files on the laptop.

Setup

HomeGroup setup is usually performed when you connect to a wireless network. When connecting you are given the following options:

• No, don't turn on sharing or connect to devices - For networks in public places
• Yes, turn on sharing and connect to devices - For home or work networks

If you were not prompted during wireless setup, you can access the seettings for HomeGroup by performing the following:

1. At the Start Screen, type HomeGroup.
2. Under Settings, select Choose homegroup amd sharing options.
3. Under HomeGroup, select Change sharing settings and select how you want to share from the two options listed above.

NOTE: If Libraries and Devices are shown and not HomeGroup with the option of Change sharing settings, then your homegroup is already enabled and set to share.

Settings

After a HomeGroup has been created you can decide what to share by changing the settings. To access the settings, perform the following:

1. At the Start Screen, type HomeGroup.
2. Under Settings, select Choose homegroup amd sharing options.
3. Under HomeGroup, select what and how you want to share.

Connecting to the HomeGroup

To connect to a HomeGroup on another computer perform the following:

1. At the Start Screen, type HomeGroup.
2. Under Settings, select Choose homegroup amd sharing options.
3. Under HomeGroup, select what and how you want to share.

Troubleshooting

HomeGroups offer troubleshooting in Windows 8. To perform troubleshooting for HomeGroups, perform the following:

1. Press Windows key + W on your keyboard to show the Charms bar.
2. Type Troubleshooting.
3. Click Troubleshooting under Settings.
4. Type HomeGroup in the search option.
5. Click on HomeGroup troubleshooter and follow the prompts to run the troubleshooter.

NOTE: Once after running HomeGroup troubleshooter, try to setup HomeGroup.