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My computer keeps showing "homegroup is sharing files" but I don't have a homegroup Windows 8.

I am new to Windows 8 and skipped over Windows 7 so I am not familiar with either version.  My computer constantly shows in the action center the

message "homegroup is sharing files."  I have not set up a homegroup and I think this is keeping Windows 8 from updating because it shows that my

Windows 8 updates have failed.  What should I do to fix this?

 

 

 

Hi,

 

 

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community Forums.

 

As per the given description, your new Windows 8 computer constantly shows the message: "homegroup is sharing files” in the action center when you have not set up a homegroup. I would like to have some information regarding your computer.

 

1)       Do you have multiple Operating Systems installed on the computer?

 

2)       Are you using Microsoft Account to login to the computer?

 

 

If at all you are connected to a Homegroup, I would suggest you to leave the home group and check the issue. To leave the home group, follow these steps:

 

a)       Press “Windows Logo” + “C” keys on the keyboard to display the charms bar.

 

b)       Click on “Change PC settings” link on the charms bar.

 

c)       Click on “HomeGroup”.

 

d)       Click on “Leave”.

 

 

For reference you can check this link:

 

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/windows-8/homegroup-from-start-to-finish

 

 

Please do get back to us with the additional information regarding the issue.

 

 

Regards,
Rajesh Govind - Microsoft Support Engineer

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I have the same problem - constant report that "Homegroup is sharing files" - desipte having told Windows not to share files. It also appears to be preventing Windows Update from even checking for any updates (the Updates app reports that it is set to automatically update, but that it has never been updated; it also says says it will finish installing updates next time the laptop is restarted, but this message never goes away after a restart!)

When I follow the instructions above to try to leave the Homegroup, however, the app reports that "We're making changes to the homegroup" and the "Leave" button is disabled. Given that these changes never complete there seems to be no way to leave the homegroup.

:-(

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Replying to self!

My advice to people: don't use the Metro-style app if you have this problem. Use the grown-ups' settings instead!

To recap: Action center is reporting constantly "Homegroup is sharing files", but the Homegroup settings found in the Charms malarkey has the button to "Leave" Homegroup disabled, presumably because it thinks it's updating the shares.

To solve: Just go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Homegroup. At that screen, even though it was still reporting that Homegroup was updating, there is a link "Leave the Homegroup" which wasn't disabled. And worked for me.

Now my laptop isn't constantly updating shares that I told it already not to share. Hopefully it will now do Windows Updates as well...!

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Thanks Bobolous.  I have been away from my computer for a few days, but I followed your instructions today for leaving the homegroup from the control panel and it worked.  Now my computer is able to search for Windows updates and also install the updates that it finds.  I appreciate the help.  And thanks to everyone in the community.

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Thank you!

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Last updated March 24, 2018 Views 5,697 Applies to: