Applies ToWindows 10

HomeGroup has been removed from Windows 10 (Version 1803). However, even though it has been removed, you can still share printers and files by using features that are built into Windows 10.

Here's more info about what's changed and what hasn't.

What’s changed?

After you update your PC to Windows 10 (Version 1803):

  • HomeGroup won’t appear in File Explorer.

  • HomeGroup won’t appear in Control Panel, which means that you can’t create, join, or leave a homegroup.

  • HomeGroup won’t appear on the Troubleshoot screen when you go to Settings  > Update & Security  > Troubleshoot .

  • You won’t be able to share new files and printers using HomeGroup.

Note: The HomeGroup (view) and HomeGroup (view and edit) options still appear in Windows 10 (Version 1803 or later) when you right-click a folder in File Explorer and then point to Give access to. However, neither option does anything. To share a file or folder, select Specific people from the same shortcut menu instead. 

What hasn’t changed?

Any folders, files, or printers that you previously shared using HomeGroup will continue to be shared. This means that:

  • Shared network folders will still be available. You can open them in File Explorer by typing the name of the PC and the shared folder name in this format: \\homePC\SharedFolderName

  • If one user account was set up on a PC for sharing, you can continue using that one account for sharing.

  • You can still get to any shared printers through the Print dialog box.

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