Windows 10: Homegroups

It is high time to report my experiences with the W10 installation to you. Microsoft pushes all of us to do this before end of June.


1. Do a thorough backup of all your data.


2. If you use the attached file, and invoke it, it does the whole job by itself. You can go and do other things in the 2-4 hours the program is busy for you.
At last you have an upgraded PC with all your files and nearly all settings as they were. This is really neat, a big achievement by MS.


3. I had to delete and reinstall the anti virus program.


3. Everyone nowadays works with a router; it contains a firewall. I strongly suggest you disable the W10 Firewall and Defender, if you use a third party anti virus.


4. The biggest problem, I had, was the LAN networking. My experience is, very few people use this feature; it allows pulling/pushing files from/to other computers.
I could not see all computers under "Network". W10 became became suddenly very taciturn about the malfunction.
W10 tries you to use their stupid Library system with the so called Homegroup; I prefer a Windows C disk for programs and a Data D disk for your data files.
It took me some time to see that they use 2 kinds of networking and synchronizing. W10 sets up a Workgroup, constituting the old LAN networking.


On top of this they want you to set up the Homegroup; they want you to join it. Don't do that, it prevents the Workgroup to function properly. MS's idea is to synchronize the Libraries among the LAN computers. So at last I disabled ("unjoined") homegrouping at every PC in the network.


5. If you use a Hebrew keyboard, it has to be added manually.


6. The vast 3-4 GB file C:\Windows.old can be deleted. Recommended.


7. A few words about log in, user name and password. Always has been a nuisance. I hate all these passwords, but I also have a key on my front door. So it is apparently needed in this world. You can, though, remove the W10 log in procedure, as follows:
Open the Run command box (Start > All apps > Windows System > Run or press Windows key + R). In the text box, type netplwiz and press Enter.
A User Accounts window will open. Under Users for this computer: select your username and then uncheck the box next
to Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer. ClickApply.
A new window labeled Automatically sign in will pop up. Type your password twice and then clickOK.

Your computer will now bypass the log-in page when you turn on your PC.




So, this is it folks. W10 works nicely, I can recommend it with my conscience at ease.
Fred

:)

 

Cannot Leave HomeGroup From Linked PC

1. Make sure all PC's have left the HomeGroup or are NOT joined to a HomeGroup

2. Turn off all PC's

3. Reboot PC that originally had HomeGroup and now has the phantom HomeGroup

4. After reboot, you should be able to create a new HomeGroup on that PC replacing the phantom HomeGroup. Print or write down new HomeGroup password.

5. Boot other PCs and attempt to join HomeGroup with new password.

Note: Make sure you use the ORIGINAL PC that had the HomeGroup ! (step 3)

Note: Once you have fixed the phantom HomeGroup, you should be able to have all the PC's leave the HomeGroup, then create a new HomeGroup on the PC of your choice.

 

Set up Homegroup with a dual band router

Hi David,

After creating a HomeGroup network, the next step is to join it. You'll need the HomeGroup password, if there is any. To join a HomeGroup, follow these steps on the PC that you want to add to the HomeGroup:

• Open HomeGroup by typing homegroup in the search box on the taskbar, then select
  HomeGroup from the results.
• Select Join now > Next.
• Select the libraries and devices you want to share with the HomeGroup, and then select
  Next.
• Type the HomeGroup password in the box, and then select Next.
• Select Finish.

Note: If you do not see a space to enter a password, there might not be a HomeGroup available. Make sure that someone has created a Homegroup, or you may create a HomeGroup yourself.

If you are having trouble joining a HomeGroup, you may run the HomeGroup troubleshooter to find and fix problems with the HomeGroup network. To do so: Open
Homegroup and click Start the HomeGroup troubleshooter.

If you need further assistance, feel free to ask us.

Regards.