The HomeGroup feature was introduced
in Windows 7 as a means to allow people to share content and devices. A
homegroup is a group of computers that can share resources. When you
create a homegroup, you determine what resources you allow people to
see (READ), and what resources you allow people to modify (WRITE).
You can add picture, music, video, and document libraries, and you can
share printers and other devices. Homegroups are password protected.
Use the HomeGroup control panel to change the
libraries and devices you share, change streaming options, set
passwords, and set advanced options. In the advanced options, you can
enable network discovery, enable file and printer sharing, and allow
Windows to manage homegroup connections. Other options allow you to set
up public folder sharing, use encrypted file sharing connections, and
turn password protection on or off. These options are found in the
Network and Sharing Center control panel’s Advanced settings.
Enabling these settings creates a homegroup
that other systems (Windows 8 and Windows 7) can join. To modify more
options, open the HomeGroup control panel.
To create a homegroup
1. Press 
+C to open the Charms bar, click Setttings, and then click Change PC Settings.
2. Click the HomeGroup section to view the HomeGroup page .
Create a homegroup by enabling the sliders for your libraries and devices on the HomeGroup page.
3. Move the sliders for each library that you wish to include in your homegroup.
By default, all of these sliders are disabled when you first install Windows 8.
4. Enable the Media Devices slider as well if you wish to share devices.
Note the Windows 8-generated password,
because it provides access to the homegroup for you and for other
connected computers. (This password is changed elsewhere.)
To modify an existing homegroup
1. Press +X
or right-click the lower-left corner of the display to view the
Computer Management menu, then select the Control Panel command.
2. In the Network and Internet section, tap or click the Choose HomeGroup and sharing options link to view the HomeGroup control panel .
The HomeGroup control panel allows you to enable more settings and modify your homegroup.
3. Click the Change what you’re sharing with the homegroup link to view and change the libraries that are part of your homegroup.
