subject: Setting Up Your Own Home Network Windows 7 [print this page] It is now even easier to set a up a home network Windows 7 style making it a firm choice for many new computer owners. Before attempting to set up your home network you should ensure that you have the correct hardware and that it is properly installed. You will need a network adapter within your computer, this will either be where the ethernet (internet) cable plugs in to your computer or you may have a wireless network card installed.
Next you will require a modem, router and the correct cables to connect everything together. Once this hardware is set up properly, with an internet connection if you require one, you should check that each computer in your network is connected, either by cable or wireless. It is not necessary to have an internet connection when setting up a network, however internet sharing between multiple computers is the reason most people require one.
Check that all of your computers are switched on and that your connection is working. If they are connected with cables it should be set up and ready to go. If your connection is wireless then you will need to run the Set up a Wireless Router or Access Point wizard and follow the steps.
If you wish to connect other devices such as printers you may want to use the home network Windows 7 homegroup feature. You will need to have your network already installed and check that your network is set to 'home network'. This is the only setting that will work with Homegroup.
To set up Homegroup make sure that all of the computers are switched on. They will need to be running Windows 7 and you can access the feature through the control panel. Windows 7 Home Basic and Windows 7 Starter do not allow Homegroups to be set up, however you may join them.
Once your Homegroup is set up you should then repeat the processes on the other computers, this time clicking 'join' to add the computer to the pre-existing Homegroup. Whilst you are going through the set up and joining the Homegroup you will be able to select the files and printers that you want to share. These settings are easily changed later and you may exclude files from being shared. Password protection on your homegroup will ensure security.
The Windows 7 home network is now easy to set up and enjoy with just a few clicks. Should you have problems with the steps then read through your manuals and troubleshooting help for your hardware to ensure that everything is set up correctly. If individual devices are connected but not showing up on your network check your connections and try restarting your hardware.
