I have a customer with a peer to peer network. They have just added a Windows 10 Home computer to the network. The new computer shared folders can be accessed by any of the other computers on the network. Additionally the new computer can access shared folders on a Windows 7 computer but is not able to access shares on another Windows 8 computer. The Windows 8 computer can access shared folders on the new Windows 10 computer.
Network discovery and file sharing are turned on on all computers. Password protected sharing is turned off. When attempting to see the shared folders on the Window 8 machine from the new Windows 10 machine a prompt asking for a Username and password appears. I enter the logged in username from the Window 8 machine and the password that user enters to log on to the Windows 8 machine. Each time it tells me the username or password is incorrect. The shared folders are set for full access by Everyone. The shared folders on the Windows 8 machine are easily accessed from the other two computers on the network. I can successfully ping the Windows 8 machine from the new Windows 10 machine.
Jun 13, 2019 In Windows 10, some features of file and folder sharing over a network have changed, including the removal of HomeGroup.Read on for answers to common questions about other changes to file and folder sharing in Windows 10.
Does anyone have any suggestions regarding what might be causing this and how to fix it?
Thanks in advance for any help.
On Windows 10, HomeGroup used to be a feature to simplify the process for sharing resources, such as files and printers, with network users. However, since the release of the April 2018 Update (version 1803), Microsoft discontinued the feature, and as a result, you'll no longer find settings to use HomeGroup anywhere (although you'll still find some references of the feature).
Instead, Microsoft wants you to start using new sharing features like Share, Nearby sharing, OneDrive, and the more advanced file and printer sharing options, which offer virtually the same experience, but using a different set of instructions.
In this Windows 10 guide, we' walk you through the steps to share files and printers inside your local network without the need of HomeGroup.
How to share files without HomeGroup on Windows 10
Windows 10 provides a variety of ways to share files as well as folders with other users, including using the 'Share' feature, OneDrive, and setting up a more advanced configuration using folder sharing.
Sharing files using Share
When you need to share (or send) one or multiple files to another computer across the house, office, or across the world ones, you can use the 'Share' feature, which comes built into File Explorer and most modern applications.
If you're about to share files with a nearby device, note that 'Nearby sharing' needs to be enabled on the local and destination computer to work correctly. You can learn more about how to use this feature in this guide.
Sharing files using OneDrive
If you want to share files stored inside your OneDrive account, then use these steps:
Once the recipient receives the link, the user will be able to access the content even if your computer isn't online.
Customize sharing options with OneDrive
When sharing content with OneDrive, you can also customize how the content is share with other people. For example, you can allow or deny editing, set an access password and expiration date.
To customize the content that you want to share with OneDrive, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, people with the link be able to access the content even if your computer isn't online with the permissions that you specified.
Sharing folders using File Explorer
If you need to share multiple files in the local network (or you want to create a central location that network users can use to share documents), using the File Explorer sharing options is your best approach.
To create a basic folder share on Windows 10, which users can use to access and modify files, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, you can share the link (which you copied to the clipboard on step No. 8) with users in the local network.
Accessing a shared folder
To access a shared folder on Windows 10, use these steps:
Windows 10 Share Folder On Network Windows 10
If you're logged in using a username and password that matches the same credentials in the device sharing the folder, you may not need to sign in again to access the shared folder. However, if you're prompted to log in, you must enter the account credentials of an account located in the computer sharing the folder.
Alternatively, users can also use the 'Network' page from the File Explorer left pane to browse the computer and access the shared folder contents.
When sharing folders in the network, users will only be able to access the files if the computer sharing the folder is powered on and connected to the network.
Troubleshoot shared folder access
If you're sharing a folder or printer at home or small office, there's a chance that you won't be able to access the resource from other devices because of possible issues translating the computer name to a TCP/IP address, problems with the firewall or your network profile is set to public.
Identify TCP/IP address
Usually, you can get around the translation issue by using the TCP/IP address instead of the computer name in the network share link.
To find out the device IP address, use these steps:
After editing the link, the unique path should look something like this:
//10.1.2.181/ShareOne .
Set network profile to private
If your device is using the public network profile, a shared folder or printer won't be discoverable in the network, and as a result, trying to access the resource will require to enter credentials. To avoid this issue, you must set the network profile to private on every computer using these steps:
Once you complete the steps, users should be able to access shared files and printers from their computer.
Allow files and printer through a firewall
If you think the firewall is causing issues, you can temporarily disable the feature on both devices for troubleshooting purposes.
To temporarily disable the firewall on Windows 10, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, try to access the shared folder from another device, if it's a firewall problem, then you'll need to open the corresponding network port.
Open firewall ports for file and printer sharing
To allow file and printer sharing through the firewall, use these steps:
After completing the steps, network users should be able to access the shared folder even with the firewall enabled.
In the case that you're using a third-party firewall solution, you'll need to check your vendor support website for specific details on how to get around this problem.
How to share printers without HomeGroup on Windows 10
In the past, the easiest method to share a local printer was using HomeGroup, but now even without the feature, you can still share a USB printer with other users in the local network.
Windows 10 Share Folder On Network No Logon
Important: If you have a printer that comes with a print server, it's recommended to use that feature. (Refer to your printer manufacturer support website for more specific instructions on how to connect the device to the network.) If you're dealing with a print server, you only need to follow the steps below to connect your devices to the network printer.
To share a printer on Windows 10 with other users (assuming it's already installed on your computer), use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the printer will be available to network users while your computer is powered on.
Connecting devices to a shared printer
To connect clients to the shared printer on Windows 10, use these steps:
After completing the steps, you should be able to send a print job to the network printer successfully.
Connect to printer from older computerShare Files Windows 10 Between Computers
If you're running an older version of Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 7, the steps to connect to the printer will be slightly different:
Once you complete the steps, remember that users will only be able to print as long as the device sharing the printer is powered on and connected to the network. If the computer is sleeping, hibernating, or powered off, no one will be able to print.
Wrapping things up
Windows 10 includes many features and advanced settings to share resources with network users, and in this guide, we're focusing on using the necessary configurations to help users coming from HomeGroup.
If you're in an environment running different versions of Windows, you can still refer to this guide to share files and printers on older releases of Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and even Windows 7.
More Windows 10 resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:
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