How to Share Printer with HomeGroup

What is HomeGroup? The HomeGroup feature allows both beginners and experienced system administrators to easily create networks of Windows-based computers connected via a local area network. These networks can operate without domain controllers (DC) and provide the ability to share resources such as printers and files. This option is primarily aimed at the mass consumer, but it can also be used by employees of small enterprises who do not have the support of IT specialists.

Notes:
• The HomeGroup feature has been discontinued in Windows 10 as of Version 1803.
• Following the installation of this update, file and printer sharing through HomeGroup will no longer be available. However, Windows 10 includes built-in features that still allow you to share files and printers.
• For instructions on sharing printers on your network with Windows 10, see the guide "Share your network printer".

If you are looking for a more simple way to share printer, or just need to share the printer on Windows 10 - use the software from Electronic Team. FlexiHub is the best solution to share printer since in April 2018 HomeGroup feature was completely removed by Microsoft from Windows 10.

How to share printer with HomeGroup on Windows 10?

The HomeGroup setup program is designed to enable users to share files and devices. Using the "Share with" option in Windows Explorer provides a more flexible configuration. You can designate specific folders to have read, read and write access, or to be restricted from sharing altogether.

The default setting is to assign read-only access to library items shared by HomeGroup members. Keep in mind that enabling read and write permissions also gives the user full control including the ability to delete files.

Instructions:

1. Open HomeGroup by entering "homegroup" in the search box on the taskbar, then select HomeGroup from the results.
2. Click on "Create a HomeGroup" then click "Next."
3. Choose the libraries and devices you wish to share within the HomeGroup, then click "Next."
4. A password will be displayed—make sure to print it or write it down as you will need this password to add other PCs to your HomeGroup.
5. Click "Finish."

Once you have established a HomeGroup, other PCs on your network that run Windows 7, Windows 8.1, or Windows RT 8.1 can join it.

Notes:
• If there is already a HomeGroup on your network, you will be prompted to join it rather than creating a new one.
• If your PC is part of a domain, you will be able to join a HomeGroup but not create one. You can access libraries and devices on other HomeGroup PCs, but you cannot share your own libraries and devices with the HomeGroup.
• PCs running Windows RT 8.1 can join a HomeGroup, but cannot create one or share content with the HomeGroup.

How to work with printer if it was shared via HomeGroup

In case you share your printer using the HomeGroup feature, connecting to this device from other computers will be super easy. You just need to make sure that remote computers have joined your HomeGroup, all the rest will be done by Windows. Once a PC becomes a member of a HomeGroup, it automatically gets access to all devices shared from other PCs. That means your shared printer will just appear in the Devices and Printers windows of client computers.So the further work with shared printer will be the same as it was plugged in directly. But you can’t share printer with HomeGroup on Windows 10, so you should use the third-party software solution - FlexiHub. It will connect remote printer to your local machine just like it is located right next to you.