Homegroups vs. file sharing

- Windows offers two ways to share files.…Each provides a different mix of security versus convenience…so in this lesson, I review a little bit both options…and some of the advantages and disadvantages of each.…First option is using homegroups.…Homegroups were developed for places where users…don't have a lot to hide from each other,…like in a home setting or perhaps a small business.…The idea here is to provide access to everyone's files…with a single click.…Homegroups, as I'll demonstrate in the next lesson,…are easy to set up and use.…

Usernames and passwords are not needed…to access files in other computers…and these are pretty easy to manage.…Setup is simple, you just type a code and presto,…you can see everyone else's files and use…everyone else's printers in the office.…The disadvantages of sharing files using a homegroup…are several, however.…First is only computers running Windows 7 or later…can share files, so this means no file sharing…with a Mac or Windows Vista, XP, or 98.…Homegroups also don't offer any passwords,…