Thread: Setting up networks with Windows 7

The pivotal point of networking is the Network and Sharing Center in Windows 7, you can access through the Control Panel. Find all wireless and wired connections. If you want to network exclusively with each other PCs running Windows 7 is Microsoft will provide the so-called HomeGroup, a particularly convenient solution. They enable the sharing of files for other libraries with any computer on the network and can be set up with a few clicks.


The prerequisite is that was used during the initial contact with the router, select "Home Network". In order to change this later, click the Sharing Center under "Active networks" on the appropriate link and set the network type appropriately. The next step is to set up a HomeGroup, and determine which libraries are to be released (this can be adapted even later). The next step generates a Windows Password, with the other computers on the same network can log into the group.Now all computers accessing the shared libraries.


To share in addition to the standard specifications and any other files or folders, simply click on it with the right mouse button and select the submenu "Share with ...", select "homegroup". You can choose whether the homegroup is read only or full read access to it.Selecting "No" cancels the share. Also attached printers can be shared over the



homegroup.Order from another computer in the group to access them, you only need to open the network settings and click "Install Printer". All releases can be consulted via the Windows Explorer by clicking on the left menu click on "homegroup".


If your network has other operating systems besides Windows 7 are used, you must use instead of the homegroup on the classic file sharing. To enable this, open the Network and Sharing Center from the menu on the left "Advanced Sharing Settings". Activate the "Network discovery" and "File and Printer Sharing". Optionally, you can via "streaming media" and the Windows Media Player database on the network and by "Public folder sharing" the default folders for images, videos and documents on the network. Ensure different computers can see the network, they must also be registered in the same workgroup.In a home network, this is done automatically in the rule. The default workgroup in Windows called "Workgroup".


To set the working group, click the Start menu, right-click "Computer" and select "Properties".Besides "Computer name ..." "Change settings", click on the menu and now select "Computer Name" box "Change". Here you can both work group and the name set on the PC is accessible. The changes require a reboot afterwards. Last requirement for a successful file sharing is that your Windows user account is password protected. Should not that be the case, you can adjust the Change User Accounts and Family Safety / Custom Windows password in the Control Panel.