information   Information
A Homegroup makes it easy to share pictures, music, documents, videos, and printers with other Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 computers on your local home network. You can also stream media to devices.

When a PC creates a homegroup, the homegroup is protected with a password. To join a homegroup, you will need the homegroup password, which you can get from the PC that created the homegroup or any PC already joined to the homegroup.

This tutorial will show you how to change the homegroup password in Windows 10.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to change the homegroup password.
warning   Warning
Starting with Windows 10 build 17063, the HomeGroup service is no longer operational in Windows 10. The user profile used for sharing and the file/folder/printer shares will continue to work.

Here are recommended alternatives to HomeGroup for you to get the best file-sharing experience in Windows 10 going forward:
  • File Storage:
    • OneDrive is a cloud-first, cross-device storage and collaboration platform for all of the pieces of data that matter most in your life – like your files, your photos, your videos, and more.
    • OneDrive Files On-Demand takes cloud file storage a step further, allowing you to access all your files in the cloud without having to download them and use storage space on your device.
  • Share Functionality: For those who prefer not to use the Cloud to connect their devices, the Share functionality for folders and printers allows you to see the available devices and connect them to and from other PCs on your home network.
  • Easier Connection: No more remembering cryptic HomeGroup passwords in order to connect to another PC. You can now simply connect through your Microsoft Account email address across devices.



Here's How:

1. Make sure all homegroup computers are on and are not asleep or hibernating before changing the homegroup password.

2. Open the Control Panel (icons view), click/tap on the Homegroup icon, and click/tap on Change the password. (see screenshot below)

Change Homegroup Password in Windows 10-change_homegroup_password-1.png

3. Click/tap on Change the password. (see screenshot below)

Change Homegroup Password in Windows 10-change_homegroup_password-2.png

4. You can type your own password or use the password automatically generated, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

Change Homegroup Password in Windows 10-change_homegroup_password-3.png

5. Write down or print the new homegroup password, and click/tap on Finish when done. (see screenshot below)

Change Homegroup Password in Windows 10-change_homegroup_password-4.png

6. You will now need to do the steps below to type the new homegroup password on all other homegroup computers that you want to continue using homegroup resources.

A) Do step 6B or step 6C below for how you would like to Type new password.

B) Open File Explorer, click/tap on Homegroup in the navigation pane, click/tap on the Type new password button, and go to step 6D below. (see screenshot below)

Change Homegroup Password in Windows 10-change_homegroup_password-.png


C) Open the Control Panel (icons view), click/tap on the Homegroup icon, click/tap on the Type new password button, and go to step 6D below. (see screenshot below)

Change Homegroup Password in Windows 10-change_homegroup_password-b.png


D) Type the new homegroup password, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

Change Homegroup Password in Windows 10-change_homegroup_password-c.png


That's it,
Shawn


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