Windows 10 HomeGroup Missing: How to Share Files and Printers Now That It Is Gone

You used to share photos and a printer between home PCs through HomeGroup, but now it has disappeared from File Explorer and Control Panel. Guides tell you to “join the homegroup,” yet there is no option anywhere. When Windows 10 HomeGroup missing breaks your old setup, the reason is simple: Microsoft removed the feature.

HomeGroup was a simple sharing feature introduced in Windows 7. It was removed from Windows 10 in version 1803, released in 2018. Any PC on a newer version no longer shows HomeGroup, and it cannot be added back.

Your shared files and printers were not deleted. Windows still supports sharing, just through normal slot88 network sharing and modern alternatives such as OneDrive.

Setting up those methods takes only a little longer than HomeGroup did.

Possible Causes

HomeGroup is unavailable for these reasons:

• Windows 10 version 1803 or later removed the feature.
• Older PCs on the network still show HomeGroup, causing confusion.
• Old guides and tutorials still mention it.
• Shared folders created by HomeGroup now need normal sharing permissions.

Previously shared printers and folders may still work if they were also shared through standard settings.

Quick Fixes to Try First

Set up standard sharing.

1. Make sure each PC uses a Private network profile in Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Properties.
2. Open Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings.
3. Turn on network discovery and file and printer sharing for the Private profile.
4. Right-click a folder, choose Properties > Sharing > Share, and add the people or accounts that need access.
5. On other PCs, open File Explorer > Network or type \\PCName in the address bar.

If an older Windows 7 PC still shows HomeGroup, it can share folders the normal way too. Use the same Sharing tab steps on that PC so the Windows 10 machine can reach it.

Advanced Steps for Stubborn Cases

Use modern alternatives.

1. For printers, connect them to the network directly by Wi-Fi or Ethernet so every PC can add them.
2. For documents and photos, use OneDrive or another cloud service to sync files between devices.
3. Use Nearby sharing for quick transfers between Windows 10 PCs close to each other.
4. Create the same user account and password on each PC to simplify network access.
5. Check that the “Function Discovery Resource Publication” service is running if PCs do not appear in the Network folder.

Before You Go Further: Keep Your Files Safe

Share only the folders you need, not whole drives. Avoid giving “Everyone” full control, and keep sharing turned off on public networks.

Conclusion

HomeGroup was removed from Windows 10 in version 1803. Use standard folder sharing on a Private network, connect printers directly, and use OneDrive or Nearby sharing for easy file exchange.