Windows 7 will not create a homegroup on my computer

[Terpi]

I have two computers both on Windows 7 Home premium.

On my laptop I am able to create a homegroup, but my desktop will not. When i go to create the homegroup it says: "Windows cannot create a homegroup on this computer".

When I originally installed Windows 7 on the desktop over a year ago I was able to have a homegroup, but after installing the new version it won't.
I can however access my laptop through the Network, but not vice versa.

Can anyone give my some suggestions?

Thanks

[Spider]

Try deleting the file idstore.sst

You’ll also need to show hidden files in Windows Explorer to be able to see the hidden folders beyond C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\…

The file is located at…

C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Roaming\PeerNetworking\idstore.sst

…delete it, reboot.

[Terpi]

Originally Posted by Spider

Try deleting the file idstore.sst

You’ll also need to show hidden files in Windows Explorer to be able to see the hidden folders beyond C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\…

The file is located at…

C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Roaming\PeerNetworking\idstore.sst

…delete it, reboot.

This did not work. It created a new id.store.sst after reboot. There is a file called "id.store" which is a Microsoft Serialized Certificate Store (3KB). I didn't delete it. Should I?

[Terpi]

I wanted to add that while I have removed the homegroup on both my computers I can access my laptop from my Desktop(which is the one that says I can't create a homegroup).
While my Desktop shows up on the network of the laptop I cannot access it.

[Spider]

Originally Posted by Terpi

a file called "id.store" which is a Microsoft Serialized Certificate Store (3KB). I didn't delete it. Should I?

No.



Make sure all this is done...Home sweet homegroup

[Terpi]

I've done this so many times I can't remember. But when I click on create a homegroup I get an error message "Cannot create homegroup on this computer".

[Spider]

Originally Posted by Terpi

I get an error message "Cannot create homegroup on this computer".

Just for future reference, when posting error messages you want to use the exact
wording the error message has. a lot of technical helpers search these error messages
to gain more information on a problem. The exact wording saves time in those searches
as well as getting the right information for a specific problem.

It may seem a small difference but in computer-land small differences are why some machines work and other machines don't.

You exact error message from the message box is "Windows cannot set up a homegroup on this computer"

That said...

Start
Run...
(or Windows key plus R key)
type services.msc click OK
make sure the services Peer Networking Grouping and HomeGroup Provider are started.