Homegroup

Ever since Homegroup was added to Windows I have just ignored it and continued using file sharing for my LAN. However as of 2/3 weeks ago I have had numerous problems accessing my LAN fileshares and finally have had to setup a Homegroup in order to regain problem free access. My LAN consists of a 64 bit Win 10, a 32 bit Win 10 and a 64 bit Win 8.1. Is it just me, or have others had problems too?

 

I ignore Homegroup and set up my lan the same as a bunch of XP boxes by mapping drives.

bump

 

That's what I do too but lately some of the shares have become inaccessible. I suspect Win 10 to be the culprit and have seen posts elsewhere to the effect that you have to have a homegroup in 10 for the LAN to work. That would be strange if true as the next Win 10 won't have Homegroup.

 

I fear that its because MS want to increase their presence with their new cloud technology in Onedrive.

They also want users to commit to using 'Microsoft Accounts' to share data between apps in devices that support syncing.

MS claim that the the 'share functionality' to share folders and printers across your subnet should suffice for those that dont wish to utilize the cloud.
But im not convinced either, mainly for reasons you have pointed out Earthling.

They are angling at windows users to pay a fee to implement the Azure application platform across the board in order to share across a subnet.
This is just MHO offcourse!

 

I think this is the new age with MS.......the high percentage of mobile device usage today, has brought this upon us and I actually think its a smart move by Microsoft.
They know that the desktop is all but dead today, which means less windows punters!

Its my opinion that in order to appease us, future editions of Windows OS will be completely free, and possibly even open-source.

This (they hope) will not only boost market share (at least till we read the fine print) but more importantly for MS, it will leave Apple out on a limb.

The new revenue strain for them will be in networking, especially as blockchain approaches!

Rant over