Setting up a Home Network on Windows 7

Putting your document on a USB or emailing it to yourself, then switching locations, turning on another computer and then loading up your document is an extremely tedious way to print something.

Setting up a homegroup allows you to avoid all these unnecessary steps by letting you manage all your devices from one location.  You can also save yourself the pain of searching multiple computers for one document.  Follow these steps to setup your network.

Start with planning your network

As per Anand Mishra Delhi, you’ll need to decide which devices you want to include your network.  There’s no limit on how many devices you can have but adding unnecessary devices will slow down your overall network. 

Usually people pick devices that have the most files on them or devices connected to a printer to include in their network.

You also need to decide if you want a wired or wireless network connection.  Wireless is the best option because you can easily add Ethernet cables and turn it into a wired connection.  If your devices are all located in different areas of your home, a wireless connection also offers you the most mobility.

Make sure you have all the necessary equipment

Most devices already come with network adapters but you’ll need to double check that they are working.

In addition to a network adapter (wired or wireless) for each device you have, you’ll also need a router that will be the bridging point between all your devices.

Set up your router

If your router is new you’ll need to make sure that its software is downloaded on all of your computers.  

Do a quick test and make sure all of the devices you want to add to your network are able to connect to your router separately before trying to connect them all together.  Any router you buy should be compatible with Windows devices to make it easier to setup.

Connect your devices

The last step is connecting all of your devices together.  To do this you can create a homegroup on the computer that you want to be your main device.  

After starting a homegroup on this device, you’ll get a code to enter on all other devices that you want to add to the homegroup.  Once you enter the code successfully you should be able to view all your devices from one place.

Remember to include your printer as a part of your networking process.  Some routers have USB ports that you can simply plug your printer directly in and begin to use it from all computers connected to the router.  Otherwise you’ll need to add your printer to your homegroup in order to use it from any device in your home.