windows 7 wireless homegroup

I have a wireless homegroup. For over a year I have kept client files on my laptop, and when working at home I used my desktop to access those files & work on them. A couple days ago, the desktop couldn't see the laptop any more. I have a feeling it was McAffee that did something. But I can't figure out what. I have pinged the two computers. The laptop sees the desktop just fine and I can access all the files. The desktop can not see the laptop, and says there are no other computers in the Homegroup. I have deleted the homegroup 3 times and re-created it, with new passwords, etc. Any ideas?

 

Control Panel > Windows Firewall and click Allow a Program or Feature Through the Windows Firewall. Run down the left column and ensure you have ticks against -
Core Networking
File and Printer Sharing
Network Discovery

 

If you recreated homegroup on one device you will probably have to join it a second time on the other device.

 

Checked the Firewall settings suggested, they're all ticked. Now an odd thing happened this morning. For one fleeting moment, when I booted everything, the laptop appearred in the network on the desktop. But, then it disappeared and now my desktop can't see it again. FYI - I did create a new homegroup, and rejoined it, three times. Supposedly, using McAffee I'm supposed to be able to allow the laptop to access the desktop, but when I click on "invite" the invitation never gets to the laptop (makes sense, because it doesn't ping either) - and when I open McAffee on the laptop, it says there's a new network, but hangs when I click on it. Also - when I was first attempting to sign in on this forum, I forgot my password and the email sent to me said someone had attempted to sign in and failed (me) but the IP address given in that email, is not my IP address.

 

It would be worth trying System Restore on the laptop if you have a restore point that predates this problem. Another avenue, if that fails, would be to delete the homegroup and try the older usernames and passwords network settings though as the laptop won't even ping I wouldn't be too hopeful. Dunno why but I have a gut feeling McAfee may be the fly in the ointment here. I would try disabling it and seeing if your network is restored. You would be quite safe behind a firewalled NAT router while testing.

 

This is why I do not use Homegroup, and tell people all of the time, to turn that garbage off.

BTW Earthling, System Restore would do more bad then good. Stop telling people please for the sake of everything, that they need to do a System Restore, to resolve something, that is caused by crappy software (ie McAfee).

OP, turn off and Leave the Homegroup, start using the old school Network share, that has been around for ages, and for all the love of everything, uninstall McAfee, and use Windows Defender along with Windows Firewall.

 

If I want your advice I'll ask for it, though reading some of the stuff you have posted recently that isn't very likely.