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I have set up a few Homegroups on Windows 7 with ease, but have also seen many complaints about it not working, or half working, here on the old wide web.
I just want to share my insight into the most common factor of why Homegroups can be a complete mess for some and not others.
SERVICES
Yup, we all like to trim them down, including myself, but there are the few that MUST be left intact to ensure that the Homegroup will function as designed, these are noted below:
Homegroup Listener - Only set to MANUAL, this will set to run once Homegroup is configured, but will not if no Homegroup is detected. (needs to be running (Started) in order for Homegroup to function)
Homegroup Provider - Only set to MANUAL, this will set to run once Homegroup is configured, but will not if no Homegroup is detected. (needs to be running (Started) in order for Homegroup to function)
Base Filtering Engine - Must be set to AUTO and running (Started).
IPSec Policy Agent - Must be set to MANUAL and will run as needed.
*Windows Firewall - Must be set to AUTO and running (Started).
*A note about Windows Firewall:
This service is CRITICAL to Homegroups functioning properly, try and start the Homegroup Listener service without this running, and it will behave like a bad baby and give you an error, an early indication that your Homegroup experience is going to be a nightmare. If your like me, and don't require the Windows Firewall, just turn it off in the Firewall settings, but DO NOT disable this service from running - PERIOD! - It is essential for Homegroups functionality.
Follow the above, and I promise the magic that is Homegroups, will forever be yours
