Resolved Issues connecting Win 8 laptop to Win 7 Homegroup

I recently aquired (in the States) a laptop with Windows 8 installed and am having major issues connecting it to my network - Windows 7 based with other Windows 7 computers and XP computer networked.

The network works fine for all but the Windows 8 laptop .....

The shared files on the host computer Win 7 are visible on Win 8, but cannot be opened - 'You do not have permission to access ....'

The shared files on the Win 8 laptop are visible on the host computer, but cannot be opened - same permissions message.

On both computers the shares are set to Full Control for Everyone

Despite the shared folders being visible in both directions - 7 > 8 and vice versa the Network and Sharing Centre does not acknowledge the Home Group, but indicates 'Ready to Create' - screenshot. There are other differences too - Private Network vs Home Network and different connections, but this may be new terminology in 8.

I should mention that the Administrator's name in 7 is PeteC and on 8 Peter Clark as requested by MS on first booting up the new laptop.

I would appreciate some assistance in resolving this issue - Networking is not my strong point

 

IMNSHO HomeGroup is a PITA!

However, I created a HomeGroup on one of my Win7 VM's, and when I opened Windows 8's Network and Sharing Center was told there's a HomeGroup to join ....

First thing I would do is to change the admin name so they are the same. Then switch off / leave HomeGroup and use Password protected sharing and set HomeGroup connections to Use user accounts and passwords to connect to other computers.

If you insist on using HomeGroup, I'd still take the steps outlined above (without switching off HomeGroup)

 

OK - I dumped the Homegroup and followed your HWW article

Took a while to twig that the username on 8 is your email address, not the account name

Seems to be OK now although 8 takes a couple of minutes or so to connect to the Win 7 desktop.

I'll check out/set up the other computers tomorrow and mark Resolved if/when completed successfully.

Thanks Arie!

 

All computers (XP, 7 & 8) seeing/comunicating with each other on the network