In Windows 7, I had a desktop PC and a laptop on a network without a homegroup, and I shared files seamlessly between both computers over the network. Windows 10 seems to require a homegroup to share. And if it doesn't, it sure wants to promote homegroup use. Doesn't a homegroup merely duplicate network sharing? Do I need a homegroup in Windows 10 to share across a network?
Homegroup is only supported with W7, 8 & 10 so if you use the regular home networking which is more flexible then you don't need it at all.
Look at this link for more info:
Solved All computers on the same network, each cant see others
I successfully left the homegroup on both my laptop and desktop PC. However, both computers appear as computers in the network listing on the laptop. But only the laptop appears as a networked computer on the desktop. How do get the desktop PC to appear as a shared computer in its network listing? Thanks.
Is your Network Location set to "Public" ? If so switch to "Private"
Network Location - Set to Private or Public in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums
Good tip, topgundcp. Thanks. I confirmed that the network is private. The computer is still not appearing in the network listing.
After our major update, even thou I was not using homegroup at all, Windows 10 does show it in file explorer. If I remove it so it does not show, my computers are no longer networked. EVEN Thou HomeGroup is not configured. Here is the pic. So I just let it stay listed.
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