HomeGroup for Windows 7 is a brand-new networking feature designed specifically to simplify the task of networking home PC's allowing them to share files and printers with ease.
In past versions of Windows, networking computers entailed assigning them to a particular workgroup. This was often a complex and frustrating job, so Microsoft designed HomeGroup to remedy all those problems by making it a "one-click" task. Unfortunately, this new feature will ONLY work with Windows 7 computers. Systems running older versions of Windows will have to still be connected to Windows 7 PC’s the "old fashioned" way.
Using HomeGroup permits connected PC’s to share USB connected printers too. This allows any computer in the group to print to any networked printer in the home, as long as it’s attached to a Windows 7 computer.
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When you first establish your network connection in Windows 7, it will instruct you you to pick a location for your computer. Choose "Home Network", which then permits you to use HomeGroup. After several seconds of configuration, the setup wizard will tell you to select which sort of files to share. This might include pictures, documents, music, etc.
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