HomeGroup takes the complexity out of sharing files and printers on a home network. HomeGroup makes it easy to connect two or more PCs running Windows 7 and automatically share music, pictures, video, and document libraries with others.

HomeGroup is also password-protected: After HomeGroup has been setup on the first computer, it generates an alphanumeric password that other computers will use to connect – if the password is not right, there will be no connection.

The user decides what gets shared and what stays private. Files can be marked "read only," so others can see but not edit or delete data.

Users can join a HomeGroup with any edition of Windows 7, but only users with Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate can create a HomeGroup. Also, it does not work with other versions of Windows – only Windows 7 computers.