Setting up home network

Hi, I am looking for some help setting up a home network between my 3 machines. My main is a desktop, wired connection. I also have 2 other laptops, both run on wireless connections. I have a 1 router which all them access the internet with.

I am wanting to network all 3 of them so I can file share from each machine to the others as I use them at all different times but often need to access files from the other machines while I am another.

All the machines are on Windows 7

Thanks,

Luke

 

I forgot to mention in my post that I had already tried the Homegroups option. I created a Homegroup on this desktop and joined it from one of the laptops. Although that worked in a way that I could access the laptop's files from the desktop, the desktop could NOT access the files on the laptop, the libraries were showing but when I clicked on them nothing appeared to happen. I also found it hard to get all the files I wanted to share on the desktop as well as the problem just explained.

Thanks,

Luke

 

Hi Luke,

Windows 7 Homegroup is great for sharing files across the home network but there are some settings you must make sure are correct.

Make sure all your computers have the right date and time.

In the network adapter properties make sure all have IPV6 enabled.

Make sure all computers have Network discovery enabled.

Make sure all computers are in the same Network Location i.e. Home Network you will find that in Network and sharing center.

Home group also only shares certain files as standard so you may have to manually share a file or drive to the Homegroup, do this by navigating to the file in windows explorer and click the SHARE WITH tab at the top of the window, this will allow you to specify permissions for that file or drive.

Hope this helps, you can always use Windows to trouble shoot windows for you by going to the home group on Computer

Simon