InformationA 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.
When a PC joins a homegroup, all user accounts (except guest account) on the PC become members of the homegroup. Each user on the PC will always be able to choose what libraries and devices to share with the homegroup.
If you decide that you no longer want to belong to a homegroup, you can leave it by removing your computer from it. After you leave a homegroup, you will no longer be able to access files and printers other people have shared with that homegroup. If all computers joined to the same homegroup leave the homegroup, then the homegroup will no longer exist.
When you leave a homegroup, all user accounts on your computer also leave the homegroup.
This tutorial will show you how to leave a homegroup in Windows 10 to stop sharing files and printers with other Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10 PCs joined to the homegroup.
WarningStarting 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. Open the Control Panel (icons view), click/tap on the Homegroup icon, and click/tap on the Leave the homegroup link. (see screenshot below)
2. Click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)
3. You have left the homegroup. Click/tap on Finish. (see screenshots below)
TipIf you are not able to successfully leave the homegroup, then:
1) Turn off all PCs on your home network.
2) Delete only the contents inside the hidden PeerNetworking folder located below.
C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Roaming\PeerNetworking
3) Restart the computer.
4) Try to leave the homegroup again.
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Create a Homegroup in Windows 10
- How to Join a Homegroup in Windows 10
- How to View or Print Homegroup Password in Windows 10
- How to Add or Remove Homegroup in Navigation Pane of File Explorer in Windows 10
- How to Add HomeGroup to Context Menu in Windows 10