Windows 7 Homegroup vs Traditional Networking

[Will404]

OK, so I have just got to uni.... which means AAMSDN, and the long awaited Windows 7. So I have now installed it on both my laptop, and desktop, and at the moment have password protected shares set up, and mapped from the desktop to the laptop and vice versa, in such a way that the laptop is available offline - basically backing up the important stuff on my desktop. Anyway back to the point, is there any point setting up a home group, or is this just some fad made for non-techy users so that they can set up their own networks??

[kalniel]

You are sharing between the computers, therefore you must already have set up a home network equivalent by default.

[Will404]

Yah, but will the "Home group" give any more advantages, or is it just an easy way to set it up?

[kalniel]

Yah, but will the "Home group" give any more advantages, or is it just an easy way to set it up?

I'm saying won't it already be set up? I don't remember explicitly setting one up for my home network, it just appeared, possibly as a consequence of the choice made when windows detected various things and asked about them.

[oolon]

If you select "Home" network rather than "work" when it detects the network it shares using home groups (by default). I am personally not using home groups, but the point is when a computer is entered into a home group it allows access from all the other computers in the home group (you can still control what is shared), not sure if windows 7 is limited in how it shares (I have ultimate) and if I right click and select share I can share with the home group, every or share with specific users, each one of those specific users needs then to be setup on the machine (unless you have active directory). Where you work with one computer per person at home (particularly when they have no passwords), you do not then need to setup users just for the share or share with everyone which would allow access from anyone breaking into your wireless or a guest in the house. Its safer than everyone and for people who do not want to setup real users. The problem is if you give access to one you give it to all.

[Will404]

OK, thanks for clarifying it, I have the network as work, hence it wont have gone to the home group by defult. Because it is only me i am shareing with, I will leave as is, because it automatically backs up and all, and does all that i need. tahnks