Windows 7: Features

By Patrick Nelson

HomeGroups simplify file and printer sharing between computers running Windows 7 on the same home network.

Two or more Windows 7 computers can share documents and media, including stream the media between computers; and also connect printers.

Windows 7 and HomeGroups adds a new “Share with” menu in Windows Explorer which eases sharing—or protecting files.

All media within the homegroup gets setup in Windows Media Player and Windows Media Center automatically. Any other compatible media devices, like games consoles, are also added automatically.

Philosophically, HomeGroups is a change in attitude at Microsoft. In previous operating systems, the user had to allow others access to their files by “sharing,” HomeGroups introduces the concept that members of a home network are to be trusted.

So, everything is shared automatically, and the user needs to un-share what the user wants to keep private. Microsoft uses the analogy of a home where doors—and windows, are locked at the perimeter of the home and unlocked within the home.

Rooms can be locked and so can drawers.

In Windows 7 HomeGroups, trusted PCs have default open access to media and printers, and on joining the group can opt to share the documents library too.

It is easy to restrict access to content that the user doesn’t want shared with just a checkbox.

Windows 7 introduces a “Stream” button in Windows Media Player which makes that PC a media receiver.

Windows Media Streaming service comes into play for any media files which are made available for streaming to other homegroup members.

When a new PC is connected to the home network, the PC will automatically try to discover an existing homegroup on that network. As with Vista, Microsoft recommends certain routers only.

Windows 7 performs some key checks to see if the PC is likely to want to join the network. Key steps include whether the PC is already a member of certain types of HomeGroups, for example.

The user selects “Home” from the wizard which launches when the PC is detected, and is asked if they want to join the network. The user is asked to provide the password--which is common across all the PCs. The user experience is similar to a family member sharing a WEP password on a wireless network. The user then verifies what types of files they want shared.

Homegroups reduce the steps necessary for the user to share media and content. Microsoft hopes the days of a family member e-mailing a file to another family member within the home is over.

Microsoft has a white paper providing a full overview of Windows 7 HomeGroups which you can read here.

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