How to create a workgroup in windows 7 home

However, Windows 7, XP, and Vista systems can all participate in a standard workgroup network configuration, sharing folders and accessing shared folders just like normal. You can also use workgroups and HomeGroups side by side.

More specifically, you can have several Windows 7 systems participating in HomeGroup on the same physical network as several Windows XP and Vista systems participating in a workgroup.

You can join a HomeGroup in any edition of Windows 7, but you can create one only in Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, or in the Enterprise edition. The fact that HomeGroup feature is even available in the Enterprise edition of Windows 7 further strengthens the notion that HomeGroup is more than just a home networking toy. In fact, a Windows 7 HomeGroup can exist and be used side by side with a Windows domain -- with a few caveats. First, if your Windows 7 system is connected to a domain, you can join a HomeGroup, but you can't create one.

Second, while you can access files and resources on other HomeGroup computers, you can't share your own files and resources with the HomeGroup. One more point to take note of before we move on is that in order to create and join a HomeGroup, your network adapter must have IPv6 enabled. If you have disabled IPv6 because you didn't think it was needed, then you'll have to re-enable it.

As you may know, during the Windows 7 installation procedure, you are given the option to create a HomeGroup. However, if you chose not to create a HomeGroup at that time, you can create one at any time. Keep in mind that in order for the HomeGroup to function, there must be more than one Windows 7 system on the network and your Network Location must be configured as a Home network.

If it's currently configured as a Work or Public network, you will not be able to create a HomeGroup. The first link is to a more detailed explanation of HomeGroups in the Help and Support. The second is to Advanced sharing settings page where you can adjust network-sharing features and even disable the HomeGroup-sharing feature and enable the type of sharing permissions used in Windows XP and Vista, based on user accounts and passwords.

You can also start the HomeGroup Troubleshooter, a part of Windows 7's new Troubleshooting Platform, which is powered by a special type of PowerShell 2. For example, you can limit or expand the shared libraries as well as enable and customize the media streaming feature of Windows Media Player.

While the media streaming capabilities are more in tune with a home network than they are with a business network, this feature could very well be used to deliver video training material. Of more universal interest here is the ability to view or change the HomeGroup password, leave or quit using the HomeGroup, change Advanced sharing settings, and start the HomeGroup troubleshooter.

Take note of the expanded Network tree in the Navigation pane. This is a functioning peer-to-peer workgroup that consists of Windows XP and Vista systems as well as the Windows 7 systems that are participating in both the peer-to-peer workgroup and the HomeGroup. For example, I'll take a more detailed look at how libraries come into play with HomeGroup as well as how you can customize sharing in order to share folders that aren't in a library.

If the workstations in a workgroup are overloaded, consider getting a dedicated server to reduce some of the load. Obtain a server that can handle the current load plus at least twice as much additional load for future expansion. Most companies find that their server becomes too small, quite quickly if they don't obtain enough capacity for future needs.

You also need to consider the physical requirements of the network. The network will likely require switches, NICs, cabling unless you plan to go wireless , and other physical elements. The kind of cabling you choose is also important because the cable must provide support for the network speed you choose or you'll experience errors in transmitting the data. Whenever possible, use switches instead of hubs because switches have intelligence built into them that makes them more reliable and faster.

Some companies don't consider these issues and end up with cost overruns as a result. If you use a consultant to perform the physical configuration, make sure to plan for the consulting costs and add a little cushion in case the consultant encounters unanticipated problems.

Survey all the applications you need to run and consider these applications as part of the network setup. In many cases, you need to reconfigure the applications to run properly on the network. For example, Office users will likely want to store their data files in a central location so that everyone in the workgroup can access them.

The centralized storage requires additional configuration time, and you need to plan for it as part of your preparation. If your network meets these requirements, you can probably use a workgroup to solve your basic networking needs: It provides basic file and printer sharing. Optional It provides basic database management support with no more than two custom applications.

Optional It provides e-mail support with a product such as Exchange Server. Optional It provides centralized Internet access. It has no need for complex mission-critical applications involving large databases.

It has no need for centralized resource management. It requires no remote access.