Windows 10: Do I really need a homegroup?

In Windows 7, I had a desktop PC and a laptop on a network without a homegroup, and I shared files seamlessly between both computers over the network. Windows 10 seems to require a homegroup to share. And if it doesn't, it sure wants to promote homegroup use. Doesn't a homegroup merely duplicate network sharing? Do I need a homegroup in Windows 10 to share across a network?

:)

 

Do I really need a VPN? windows 10

Generally for home users there's no need for a VPN. They're nice to have for going out in public on a laptop or phone when you connect to open/unsecured networks, but if you're in your home and have a secure network, it's not really necessary.

 

Do I really need a VPN? windows 10

It's really up to you. If you have a use case that requires end-to-end encryption over the internet, a VPN is for you. A VPN is also for the paranoid, but you don't impress me that way.

You do understand that there is nothing truly hidden on the internet, VPN or not. A VPN owner has lots of data about its customers that would be worth lots of money and, besides, how much do you really know about the people behind the VPN?

In the end it comes down to what kind of person you are what you believe. There's no right or wrong answer.

 

Homegroup is only supported with W7, 8 & 10 so if you use the regular home networking which is more flexible then you don't need it at all.
Look at this link for more info:
Solved All computers on the same network, each cant see others

 

The answer would be no.

 

I successfully left the homegroup on both my laptop and desktop PC. However, both computers appear as computers in the network listing on the laptop. But only the laptop appears as a networked computer on the desktop. How do get the desktop PC to appear as a shared computer in its network listing? Thanks.

 

How are these set up on the desktop?

 

I've set them up as shown. Did I do this correctly?

 

Is your Network Location set to "Public" ? If so switch to "Private"
Network Location - Set to Private or Public in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

 

Good tip, topgundcp. Thanks. I confirmed that the network is private. The computer is still not appearing in the network listing.

 

Did you check all the services from the my post #2 above ?

 

After our major update, even thou I was not using homegroup at all, Windows 10 does show it in file explorer. If I remove it so it does not show, my computers are no longer networked. EVEN Thou HomeGroup is not configured. Here is the pic. So I just let it stay listed.

 

Yes. Listed services are running. To reiterate, both computers appear on the desktop PC's network listing, but on the laptop, only the laptop computer is listed in the laptop's network listing. Could I have missed a setting on the laptop?

 

topgundcp, a question: The services you listed in your post #2 are running, but what should the startup types be for these services? Thanks.

 

Homegroup will always show even if the service is not running. It is coded into Explorer. Basically all you are seeing is a shortcut to that Network area.

There are ways to tweak those items you do not want to show in Explorer through GPO or the Registry. But you have to be very careful.