Connecting an android device to windows 7 homegroup

[Anthony Gridley]

Hello

I have my homegroup set up with my PC and laptop. I want to link my samsung galaxy s3 and galaxy Note tab 10 to the home group.

I have gone through various tutorials but cannot get it to work. when i try to set up the LAN on the phone it only finds my ISP router. why isnt the homegroup in the list?

Thanks

 

[Apanzee]

The homegroup is only for other Windows PCs to connect to each other and share files over the network. It's a "trusted pc" list if you will. Any PC on that list can access any other PC on the list granted you have set the appropriate permissions.

I don't understand what the point of this would be on a phone. If it's to wirelessly sync music or files on your devices from your PC, there's plenty of apps for that on playstore.

 

[Billy Boyle]

If you want to connect to a windows PC through your Android (phone or tablet) I have found the best app to run for this is ES File Explorer link to it here. https/play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.estrongs.android.pop&feature=nav_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDNd

Not to sure of the S3 settings for the next bit, but you need to turn on file sharing for Nearby Devices, will find a few to connect with. You know MS why use one app and protocol when you can get three to do it. Connect to them all.

launch ES File Explorer and look down the left side for Network then LAN.
Touch Search at the bottom of the screen, It should auto find your Home PC. Touch on the IP for your PC and enter your User name and Password.

That should be you connected and have access to all your files you have set to share.

 

[eric_veien]

The homegroup is only for other Windows PCs to connect to each other and share files over the network. It's a "trusted pc" list if you will. Any PC on that list can access any other PC on the list granted you have set the appropriate permissions.

I don't understand what the point of this would be on a phone. If it's to wirelessly sync music or files on your devices from your PC, there's plenty of apps for that on playstore.

I'm guessing that it is so he can print a document　from　his　mobile　device　to　a　printer　connected　to　his　homegroup.　Kind　of　important　now, and guaranteed to become more important in the near future.

 

[In A Flap]

The homegroup is only for other Windows PCs to connect to each other and share files over the network. It's a "trusted pc" list if you will. Any PC on that list can access any other PC on the list granted you have set the appropriate permissions.

I don't understand what the point of this would be on a phone. If it's to wirelessly sync music or files on your devices from your PC, there's plenty of apps for that on playstore.

I'm guessing that it is so he can print a document　from　his　mobile　device　to　a　printer　connected　to　his　homegroup.　Kind　of　important　now, and guaranteed to become more important in the near future.

indeed it is as other peripherals mey be avaILABLE.
I use es file explorer and that allows me to see my NAS but I cannot access any folders as I get an error message
login fails
this may be caused by :
the account has no permissions.

which I presume means I need to set up an account on the NAS, but not sure what to use for the galaxy.

also I cannot see my network printer and the only solution I have found so far seem to mean I have to pay to print pages on my own printer.

 

[washere]

i) To browse/manipulate/transfer/etc. PC & Mac files/folders on an Android device:

This is the best method so far (Jan 2014):

Computer side:

1) Share the hell out of a folder in Windows preferably with "Everyone" option. You can, if you like, make it a mega-data folder with sub-folders for mp3, movies, ebooks, etc. "Everyone" share option is the most full-proof if facing connection handshakes problems & is easier in operation later too but less secure, which is no problem if at home. Easy-peasy, lemon squeezy, also Mac guide:

http/lifehacker.com/5808814/how-to-share-a-folder-over-your-network-for-beginners
Any problems just google for more guides: share Windows folder

Android device side (even easier):

2) Install "Total Commander" file manager on Android device:
https/play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ghisler.android.TotalCommander

3) Install LAN plugin for Total Commander:
https/play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ghisler.tcplugins.LAN

4) In Total Commander root list of folders choose: LAN (Windows shares)
a) Click + < New server >
b) Enter any name (I use the IP number, as they change)
c) Just Enter the IP number of PC at top, leave the rest empty/as is.

DONE! Less than 1 minute for the Android part.

At Total Commander start, click LAN (Windows shares), click on what you just named & setup: you're in the PC!

As IP numbers change, use Fing to see IP number of network devices:
https/play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.overlook.android.fing

Instead of making a new one, you can change the IP number of your creation if it changes in future:
Long-Press your created connection: Properties: Change
Example: 192.168.1.4 to 192.168.1.5 if that is your PC now as shown by Fing. Takes 10 seconds!

I used Total Commander since beta. It's like old programmers dual-pane faves, NC etc. Plus IMHO & many other programmers it's the best file manager on Android & is on all my devices' dockbars. Finally, it's free & ad-free, the guy who makes it never asks for donations or rating or other messages. Also the FTP plugin setup is similarly easy:
https/play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ghisler.tcplugins.FTP

I use other dual pane file managers on Windows & Mac as don't like Total Commander interface there or the fact it's not free there, but on Android apart from seeing Windows shared folder aspect, it's the best file manager for copying/moving/deleting multiple files. Plus Android sysfiles (access, attributes, installs etc.) are taken care of easier than any other app. Newbies should not mess with "File System root" files & folders.

Click on a file(s) icon to select (not filename), bottom icons (copy move delete etc plus multi-select) to send to next pane. Dual pane in landscape mode. Clicking filenames launches it. Long-Press gives more options. Does zipping & unzipping too. Make new folder is in menu command.

#########################################

ii) To browse/manipulate/transfer/etc. Android device's files/folders on PC & Mac:

Of course you can simply connect your Android device's micro-USB cable to PC & Mac, given correct USB drivers are installed on the computer.

For WiFi, slightly tricky, I:
1) I'm not keen on Samba server as it hogs too much. I run a FTP Server. I run mine from app: Servers Ultimate (Pro version) on Android, it also has SMB & other servers. Android FTP servers are not so hot but this one works best IMHO.

2) I run Webdrive (paid version) on Windows 7 (maps a FTP Server to a drive). Or, for less Explorer like functionality, could use a good normal FTP client like WinSCP or FileZilla which are free and do everything file/folder wise.

Resources' links:

Servers Ultimate:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.icecoldapps.serversultimate
Pro version:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.icecoldapps.serversultimatepro

FTP Clients:

WinSCP:
http://winscp.net/eng/download.php
FileZilla:
https://filezilla-project.org/download.php

Webdrive:
http://webdrive.com/products/

Network Devices IP number Finder:

Fing, free Android app to find your Devices IP number:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.overlook.android.fing&hl=en
Fing for iPhone and iPad:
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/fing-network-scanner/id430921107
For Windows this Colasoft MAC Scanner freeware:
http://www.colasoft.com/mac_scanner/index.php?act=mac_scanner

 

[BENJAMIN PROHL]

"I don't understand what the point.."

Is it really your place judge? I want it so I can create PDF files on my desktop and then upload them to my phone for quick access.

Thanks BB, the ES File Explorer works great!

 

[Apanzee]

Is it really your place judge?

It was a simple question which was posed to determine if there may be a better solution available than an FTP server. We always try to offer the most assistance we can at Tom's (even if that means suggesting alternate means of achieving the same goal), and it looks like user "washere" gave a very good answer. There is no need for the attitude. I'm sorry that one of my posts was misinterpreted.

 

[Pallab Das]

http/www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/275503-homegroup-add-android-phone-tablet.html

 

[RonyBelgium]

Hello washere, it's been a while since you posted this item, but I found it when looking for a solution to print from to windows7 homegroup sharde printer from my android tablet and I used your method. Everything works fine but when at the end I'm trying to connect to the server, I have to give a password... Tried the homegroup password, but that doesn't work... HELP... Rony

i) To browse/manipulate/transfer/etc. PC & Mac files/folders on an Android device:

This is the best method so far (Jan 2014):

Computer side:

1) Share the hell out of a folder in Windows preferably with "Everyone" option. You can, if you like, make it a mega-data folder with sub-folders for mp3, movies, ebooks, etc. "Everyone" share option is the most full-proof if facing connection handshakes problems & is easier in operation later too but less secure, which is no problem if at home. Easy-peasy, lemon squeezy, also Mac guide:

http/lifehacker.com/5808814/how-to-share-a-folder-over-your-network-for-beginners
Any problems just google for more guides: share Windows folder

Android device side (even easier):

2) Install "Total Commander" file manager on Android device:
https/play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ghisler.android.TotalCommander

3) Install LAN plugin for Total Commander:
https/play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ghisler.tcplugins.LAN

4) In Total Commander root list of folders choose: LAN (Windows shares)
a) Click + < New server >
b) Enter any name (I use the IP number, as they change)
c) Just Enter the IP number of PC at top, leave the rest empty/as is.

DONE! Less than 1 minute for the Android part.

At Total Commander start, click LAN (Windows shares), click on what you just named & setup: you're in the PC!

As IP numbers change, use Fing to see IP number of network devices:
https/play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.overlook.android.fing

Instead of making a new one, you can change the IP number of your creation if it changes in future:
Long-Press your created connection: Properties: Change
Example: 192.168.1.4 to 192.168.1.5 if that is your PC now as shown by Fing. Takes 10 seconds!

I used Total Commander since beta. It's like old programmers dual-pane faves, NC etc. Plus IMHO & many other programmers it's the best file manager on Android & is on all my devices' dockbars. Finally, it's free & ad-free, the guy who makes it never asks for donations or rating or other messages. Also the FTP plugin setup is similarly easy:
https/play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ghisler.tcplugins.FTP

I use other dual pane file managers on Windows & Mac as don't like Total Commander interface there or the fact it's not free there, but on Android apart from seeing Windows shared folder aspect, it's the best file manager for copying/moving/deleting multiple files. Plus Android sysfiles (access, attributes, installs etc.) are taken care of easier than any other app. Newbies should not mess with "File System root" files & folders.

Click on a file(s) icon to select (not filename), bottom icons (copy move delete etc plus multi-select) to send to next pane. Dual pane in landscape mode. Clicking filenames launches it. Long-Press gives more options. Does zipping & unzipping too. Make new folder is in menu command.

#########################################

ii) To browse/manipulate/transfer/etc. Android device's files/folders on PC & Mac:

Of course you can simply connect your Android device's micro-USB cable to PC & Mac, given correct USB drivers are installed on the computer.

For WiFi, slightly tricky, I:
1) I'm not keen on Samba server as it hogs too much. I run a FTP Server. I run mine from app: Servers Ultimate (Pro version) on Android, it also has SMB & other servers. Android FTP servers are not so hot but this one works best IMHO.

2) I run Webdrive (paid version) on Windows 7 (maps a FTP Server to a drive). Or, for less Explorer like functionality, could use a good normal FTP client like WinSCP or FileZilla which are free and do everything file/folder wise.

Resources' links:

Servers Ultimate:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.icecoldapps.serversultimate
Pro version:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.icecoldapps.serversultimatepro

FTP Clients:

WinSCP:
http://winscp.net/eng/download.php
FileZilla:
https://filezilla-project.org/download.php

Webdrive:
http://webdrive.com/products/

Network Devices IP number Finder:

Fing, free Android app to find your Devices IP number:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.overlook.android.fing&hl=en
Fing for iPhone and iPad:
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/fing-network-scanner/id430921107
For Windows this Colasoft MAC Scanner freeware:
http://www.colasoft.com/mac_scanner/index.php?act=mac_scanner

 

[Karthik Ga]

Use airdroid app to share files and information wirelessly with PC.HOMEGROUP is meant only for sharing between wirelessly compatible windows running laptops and PCs.Android cannot support something which is meant for windows 7 lol

 

[Ricky G]

If you want to connect to a windows PC through your Android (phone or tablet) I have found the best app to run for this is ES File Explorer link to it here. https/play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.estrongs.android.pop&feature=nav_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDNd

Not to sure of the S3 settings for the next bit, but you need to turn on file sharing for Nearby Devices, will find a few to connect with. You know MS why use one app and protocol when you can get three to do it. Connect to them all.

launch ES File Explorer and look down the left side for Network then LAN.
Touch Search at the bottom of the screen, It should auto find your Home PC. Touch on the IP for your PC and enter your User name and Password.

That should be you connected and have access to all your files you have set to share.

 

[Ricky G]

Thanx Billy, I have downloaded ES File Explorer on my android tablet and have icon for my PC in the LAN folder. However, I can't click on the IP address seperately to the PC icon and it's label, so when I click on it it goes to my PC and lists various sub folders of which one is the printer, when I click on that I get " Login fails, Invalid operation" ? Can you or anyone help, I am a novice it this.

 

[sasham]

If you want to connect to a windows PC through your Android (phone or tablet) I have found the best app to run for this is ES File Explorer link to it here. https/play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.estrongs.android.pop&feature=nav_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDNd

Not to sure of the S3 settings for the next bit, but you need to turn on file sharing for Nearby Devices, will find a few to connect with. You know MS why use one app and protocol when you can get three to do it. Connect to them all.

launch ES File Explorer and look down the left side for Network then LAN.
Touch Search at the bottom of the screen, It should auto find your Home PC. Touch on the IP for your PC and enter your User name and Password.

That should be you connected and have access to all your files you have set to share.

Hi,
Pls, explain, which user name and PW I have to enter

 

[Mustafa Hasan]

Hi, for the user name and password issue.

Step 1
Do this step with all the folders you wish to use.
Right click the folder and click share with and click advanced sharing.
In the drop down click "everyone" and set permission to read.

Step 2
Go to network and sharing centre and on the left corner you will see advanced sharing settings. Open it.
Go to "All netwrks" and select the turn off password protected sharing box and click OK or save if prompted. Good luck.

 

[ZXMB]

The homegroup is only for other Windows PCs to connect to each other and share files over the network. It's a "trusted pc" list if you will. Any PC on that list can access any other PC on the list granted you have set the appropriate permissions.

I don't understand what the point of this would be on a phone. If it's to wirelessly sync music or files on your devices from your PC, there's plenty of apps for that on playstore.

Why do people post replies saying "I don't see why you would want to do this"? Nobody is asking for life advice - just technical advice.

 

[rehman_saadi]

Hi, for the user name and password issue.

Step 1
Do this step with all the folders you wish to use.
Right click the folder and click share with and click advanced sharing.
In the drop down click "everyone" and set permission to read.

Step 2
Go to network and sharing centre and on the left corner you will see advanced sharing settings. Open it.
Go to "All netwrks" and select the turn off password protected sharing box and click OK or save if prompted. Good luck.

Did all that you suggested, still not work for me
I can see the shared folders, but cannot access them
Although I can access two shared folders: Users & Apps
I do not have any passwords on my windows 7 user name
Error msg:

"Login fails
This may be caused by:
- The account has no permissions"

 

[rehman_saadi]

Well never mind, I was able to do it on my own following this:
Right click the shared folder》share with 》specific people...
click scroll down menu in the new opened window》Everyone
Click add button on the right side
On the list, change permission level for Everyone to 》read/write
Click share》done

 

[Willie0]

andriod devices do not need any special connection because they use plug and play technology. hence, no driver needed.

 

[Humanitarianv4v]

Buy yourself a wireless router. Connect everything to it. Instant Homegroup. For any device anywhere in the house.