Windows 10 Redstone 4 buries Windows HomeGroup

2 min. read

Published on December 22, 2017

published on December 22, 2017

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The release notes of Windows 10 build 17063 came with Microsoft’s announcement that it plans to eliminate the popular Windows HomeGroup feature. The release of the Redstone 4 update in the Spring of 2018 will come without this feature.

HomeGroup was initially a part of older Windows versions, and now it’s available on all supported versions of the OS. It allows users to quickly share files and printers between PC on a home network.

There are modern alternatives for HomeGroup

Microsoft stated that HomeGroup was really useful at its time but on the other hand this feature was created for a pre-cloud and pre-mobile era. Now, there are lots of other alternatives that come with more functionalities.

The company said that connecting and sharing your digital life with those who matter is easy via today’s modern PCs and the cloud as well. Today you can connect PCs and printers on your home network using Windows’ Share functionality, or you can use OneDrive to share a photo album. As a conclusion, Windows 10 makes connecting various devices and sharing content really easy.

HomeGroup gets axed in Redstone 4

Your configured user profile will continue to work, but the HomeGroup service will be retired. Microsoft recommends users to switch to OneDrive for easy file storage, and Microsoft accounts to access more devices.

HomeGroup will continue to function on systems powered by the Creators Update, according to Microsoft. All systems that will be updated to the upcoming versions of the OS will lose the feature.

Microsoft explained that HomeGroup was great for the pre-cloud and pre-mobile era and today that functionality is built into Windows 10 and applications.

Windows HomeGroup is already removed from Windows 10 build 17063, and it will be pulled out completely with the Release of Redstone 4 update in the spring of 2018.

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Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time). For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web. Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they're looking for.