Windows 10: Allow only devices that have joined a Homegroup to access shared drive

What I'm trying to do doesn't sound complicated but I'm really stumped.

I want to set up a home network (a desktop and other tablets/laptops) and set up some of the drives on the Desktop PC (NOT individual folders) as shared which can then be accessed only by my family's tablets/laptops. However, I don't want other people's devices (who I allow access to my router for internet access) to have access to these folders.

I thought I could use a Homegroup and use permissions to allow access to the shared drives for only the devices that have joined the Homegroup with the appropriate password.

So I set up a Homegroup and right clicked on the drive on the desktop PC and selected Advanced Sharing. I then set up sharing with permissions assigned only to the user named "HomeGroupUsers$" (which sounded logical). But, when I use a laptop which has joined the Homegroup then I get access denied when trying to open up the shared drive.

I then changed the permissions to use the group "HomeUsers" and I could then successfully access the shared drive from the laptop. However, when I connected a tablet to the router which had NOT joined the homegroup, I could still access the shared drive which is not what I want.

Is the use of Homegroup the right mechanism for what I'm trying to do? If it is, then what am I doing wrong?

:)

 

Homegroup corruption by Windows 10?

Fix the network first. Windows 10 in very secure and does not automatically join a network and allow file sharing. Open Network and Sharing Center and change the settings to allow the computers to share info. Then test if you can access the shared folders
on each computer. If you can, the home group should work. If the network works but the homegroup doesn't--

You have to reset the Homegroup to solve this. On each homegroup computer, choose Leave the Homegroup. Every single computer. Reboot both and on only one of the computers--preferably your main one with windows 10-- set up a new Homegroup. Then join that
group on all the other windows 7, 8 or 10 computer. That is the only way to fix a broken homegroup. A new password will be generated.

 

Unable to enter Homegroup, Password must be currupted?

It would be best to select Leave the homegroup on every computer. Then reboot and choose one--only one preferably the win 10 computer--to setup a new homegroup. Then join the group on each of the other computers using the generated password.
A new password is setup for you when you setup the new group and you should not change it. The password is only used to join the homegroup. You will not use again after setting up the new homegroup and joining the homegroup. Connection to
the homegroup is automatic and no password is needed once all the computers are on the homegroup. HomeGroup will appear in Windows Explorer.

You have to set up File and Printer Sharing in Network Connections--Network and Sharing Center-- as usual to select what you want to share with the group. You can also right click on folders and files to select sharing with the Homegroup. Windows 10 will
not allow access unless you setup Private Network in the Network and Sharing Center.

 

Having done a bit of experimenting, I'm now totally confused as to the purpose of Homegroups. Although I want to share a drive on my desktop PC, I experimented with sharing a folder by Right-clicking>Share with>Homegroup (view and edit)*.

What I'm confused about is that I can access that folder using a tablet connected to the network which has not joined the Homegroup. Looking at the permissions for the for the folder I set up to be shared with the Homegroup, the permissions have been set for Everyone. So, what's the point of Homegroup and the apparent security offered by the use of a password?

Just to to re-iterate what I'm trying to do: I want to provided access to shared drives on my Desktop PC to all my family's devices but prevent access to these drives from other peoples devices that I have allowed to be connected to the network for internet access.

*By the way, can someone explain why there's different right-click sharing options for drives and folders. For drives you only get Advanced Sharing but for folders you get different Share-with options

 

Here is one of the ways to share the drive on Windows 10 with a little more security:
Turn on Homegroup.
Configure all computers for same Homegroup use. Passwords, and all that stuff...
Make sure, that all your computers are on the same domain name like "WORKGROUP", or whatever you choose.
Make sure Homegroup works on all computers, and they are communicating with each other.


Then:
01. Right-click on drive.
02. Choose: Share with - Advanced Sharing.
03. Open "Sharing" tab in the window, that pops up.
04. Click "Advanced Sharing".
05. Tick "Share this folder" box.
06. Click "Add" button.
07. Choose the name for your shared drive.
08. Click "Permissions" button.
09. Highlight "Everyone", and click "Remove" button (this step is is for your better security).
10. Click "Add" button. The window will pop up.
11. In this pop-up window click "Advanced" button. Another window will pop up.
12. In this window click "Find Now" button.
13. A list will appear below.
14. Choose from the list "HomeGroup User$" (!!!NOT "Home Users"!!!), and highlight it.
15. Click "OK" button to close the window.
16. Make sure to check-mark the boxes for "Full Control", "Change", and "Read" in "Allow" column (unless you want to give a restricted access)
17. Click "OK" button to close "Select Users or Groups" window.
18. Click "Apply" button, and then "OK" button on "Permissions for" window.
19. Click "OK" button on "New Share" window.
20. Click "Apply" button, and then "OK" button on "Advanced Sharing" window.
21. Click "Apply" button, and then "OK" button on "Properties" window.


Repeat this for each drive that you want to share on your network.
Then you can map your shared drives on your other computers, and you will have full access to it.


In other words - you just set up the permissions for Homegroup users on that drive, which is - you only, unless you have some other people in your Homegroup.
Just remember: Choose from the list "HomeGroup User$" (!!!NOT "Home Users"!!!)
This way you don't have to use your password every time you need an access to your drive(s).
And your neighbours, or buddies will absolutely have no access to your systems, because in order for them to have an access to your Homegroup, they have to join it with password, that only you have an access to.

I only tested this with Windows 10, Home, and Pro machines. Don't know, if it will work on other versions of Windows (although, it should)...
Hope that helps.

 

And remember: NEVER turn off password-protected sharing in your Network setup, like some posts suggest on these forums!
...Unless you want unsophisticated hackers, and your neighbors surfing your machines day and night *Smile