Microsoft launched Windows 8 complete with a fresh interface and new commands, features, directories and more.
One convenient feature is the homegroup setting, a file sharing group for a home network which guides and practically sets up on its own. This feature comes in handy for sharing files such as downloaded music or movies stored on a hard drive.
In the past, you would have to manually transfer the file to a portable device to install on another computer. You can now access movies seamlessly from any computer, not just the one where it is stored.
Step 1
Right click the windows icon in the lower left hand corner of the screen. If you can't see the icon, hover your mouse pointer in the corner until it appears. When the contextual menu pops up, left click on the control panel.
Step 2
On the right side of the windowpane, choose "Network and Internet" and then the subheading “Choose homegroup and sharing options”. The homegroup pane will open.
Step 3
For first time setup, click on “change what you’re sharing with the home group”. You can find this option directly under the music icon.
Step 4
The homegroup screen merely tells you what you will be sharing, not who is in your network. In the “library or folder” section, click the down arrow next to your file type and choose either “shared” or “not shared”.
Step 5
Once you have made your selections, click “Next” in the bottom right hand corner of the pane. On the next pane, click “Finish”.
In order to share your files with others, they need the password. In the homegroup pane, click “view or print the homegroup password” for your password.
Thomas Hill
