File sharing essentials Windows 7 makes it easier than ever to
share documents, music, photos, and other files with people at
home or at the office. If you're new to file sharing, this
article will help you understand why it's useful and—broadly—how
it works in Windows 7. For step-by-step instructions, see Share
files with someone. Introducing homegroups: easy sharing at home
The easiest way to share files on a home network is to create or
join a homegroup. A homegroup is a group of computers that share
pictures, music, videos, documents, and even printers. The
computers must be running Windows 7 to participate in a
homegroup. When setting up or joining a homegroup, you tell
Windows which folders or libraries to share—and which to leave
private. Windows then works behind the scenes to toggle between
the appropriate settings. Other people can't change the files
you share unless you give them permission. You can also protect
your homegroup with a password, which you can change at any
time. Homegroups are availa