How to delete a workgroup

[billd766]

I have 1 desktop and 2 laptops at home and every time I try to open a homegroup on my desktop I get the message:

Windows cannot set up a homegroup on this computer. I am running Windows 7 Ultimate.

I have a workgroup instead which I think is blocking me from creating the homegroup.

I have chased around the internet for solutions but I can't seem to delete the workgroup.

Does anyone have any ideas to fix my problem?

I would tear my hair out but I don't have that much to begin with.

[RichCor]

First, a Microsoft primer:

In a workgroup:

• All computers are peers; no computer has control over another computer.

• Each computer has a set of user accounts. To log on to any computer in the workgroup, you must have an account on that computer.

• There are typically no more than twenty computers.

• A workgroup is not protected by a password.

• All computers must be on the same local network or subnet.

In a homegroup:

• Computers on a home network must belong to a workgroup, but they can also belong to a homegroup. A homegroup makes it easy to share pictures, music, videos, documents, and printers with other people on a home network.

• A homegroup is protected with a password, but you only need to type the password once, when adding your computer to the homegroup.

HomeGroup from start to finish (This tutorial is designed to help you create, join, and use a homegroup)

As Microsoft seems to like to cripple their networking features or prevent other OS devices from sharing resources, I usually stay far away from Microsoft Homegroup setups.

What is it you are trying to achieve? Printer Sharing, Folder Sharing? Just want to access your varied stuff no matter what computer you're on?

Edited September 9, 2014 by RichCor

[RichCor]

Edit time expired, but wanted to add this

How to set up a HomeGroup for Windows 7 (a For Dummies Guide )

[billd766]

Thank you for your help.

What I want to do is to connect the laptops when required to the printer which is hooked up to the desktop only.

That is my aim but the desktop refuses to make a homegroup and keeps coming back with "Windows cannot set up a homegroup on this computer."

I could always copy to a memory stick what I want to print and do it that way but I want to try to do it in a home group.

[Chicog]

Have you tried just right-clicking on, and Sharing, the printer?

[billd766]

Have you tried just right-clicking on, and Sharing, the printer?

Thanks for that tip.

I went to the desktop this morning and opened the printer file and then put the printer into share mode.

After the 2 hour power outage I just went to a laptop and selected a file to print but it cannot see the printer yet.

Bugger.

Now to RichCor and a dummies guide.

[billd766]

Edit time expired, but wanted to add this

How to set up a HomeGroup for Windows 7 (a For Dummies Guide )

My desktop must be even more of a dummy than me because I followed the guide and I still get the same results.

"Windows cannot set up a homegroup on this computer."

This is the second comment from the guide.

"

MatthewBHowell • 4 months ago

I've been trying to setup a Homegroup between my Windows 7 laptop and my Windows 8 desktop - I've been working at it for the past 10 hours, following every single instruction website that I could find (including Microsoft's own TechNet website) and absolutely none of these sites gave me information that actually worked.

Since I've already spent about 10 hours on this "project", I've finally decided to give up and go do something more productive with my time."

I am not up to 10 hours yet but as I am retired time is something that I do have lying around not being used.

[thedemon]

As RichCor alluded to, Windows Homegroup sucks. It uses some proprietary protocol and is not transparent in what settings it changes so when something goes wrong it's very difficult to diagnose. Get rid of the homegroup and just stick with good old TCP/IP and Share permissions.

[RichCor]

Unless your Firewall Software is preventing connections, it's usually very easy to set Share your desktop printer to other computers on your LAN.

Share a Printer Between Windows 7 Machines Not in the Same Homegroup

[billd766]

I finally managed to do it this morning.

On my desktop I opened the printer and told it to share.

I eventually found this

Share a Printer Between Windows 7 Machines Not in the Same Homegroup

here

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/11667/share-a-printer-between-windows-7-machines-not-in-the-same-homegroup/

and followed the idiots guide. I also went to Control panel>Network and Internet>Network and sharing centre>Advanced sharing settings>

Network Discovery ON

File and printer sharing ON

Public folder sharing OFF

Media streaming Ignore

File sharing Use 128 bit

Password protect sharing TURN OFF

Homegroup Allow Windows to control (not important as I have no homegroup)

On each of the other laptop computers I did the same.

Then Control panel>Hardware and Sound>Devices and printers>Add a printer

Search and the printer on the desktop will appear.

Windows will search for a driver which takes a while.

When I downloaded the printer driver I printed a test page and it worked.

Thanks for all your help.

Bill