Windows 7 Networking

Networking home computers running different versions of Windows

This article explains how to set up file and printer sharing on a home network with computers running different versions of Windows.

If all computers on your home network are running Windows 7, create a homegroup

By far, the easiest way to set up file and printer sharing on a home network is to create a homegroup. A homegroup links computers on your network so that you can share pictures, music, videos, documents, and printers. You can help protect a homegroup with a password, and you'll always be able to choose what you share with the group. If all of the computers that you want to network are running Windows 7, creating a homegroup is the recommended method.

HomeGroup is available in all editions of Windows 7. In Windows 7 Starter and Windows 7 Home Basic, you can join a homegroup, but you can’t create one.

After you create a homegroup, you're done, and you can skip the rest of this article. If you aren’t ready to upgrade all of your computers to Windows 7, you can still get your network running smoothly. Read the following sections to learn how to address the differences between the versions of Windows

If your network contains computers running different versions of Windows, put all computers in the same workgroup

Let's assume that you've already set up the physical network itself. If you haven’t, see What you need to set up a home network.

After your network is set up, the next step is to fine-tune it so that all the computers can find each other—something you'll need if you want to share files and printers.

If computers running Windows XP are part of your network, it’s important to use the same workgroup name for all of the computers on your network. This makes it possible for computers running different versions of Windows to detect and access each other. Remember that the default workgroup name is not the same in all versions of Windows.

To find or change the workgroup name on a computer running Windows XP

Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.

In System Properties, click the Computer Name tab to see the workgroup name. To change the name, click Change, type the new name in Computer name, and then click OK.

To find the workgroup name on a computer running Windows Vista or Windows 7

Open System by clicking the Start button , right-clicking Computer, and then clicking Properties.

The workgroup name is displayed under Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings.

To change the workgroup name on a computer running Windows Vista or Windows 7

Open System by clicking the Start button , right-clicking Computer, and then clicking Properties.

Under Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings, click Change settings.

In System Properties, on the Computer Name tab, click Change.

In Computer Name/Domain Changes, in Workgroup, type the name of the workgroup you want to use, and then click OK. You will be prompted to restart your computer.


The workgroup name is displayed in the System window