Recently an AskVG reader asked how can he remove "Homegroup" icon from My Computer window in Windows 7?
"Homegroup" is a new feature in Windows 7 which allows to share files and printers on a home network quickly and easily. You can get more info about Homegroup at this link.
The Homegroup can be accessed using Windows Explorer. Its displayed in Navigation pane as shown below:
Now the important thing is that not all people are going to use this new feature. If you have a single PC and don't want to use this feature, why not disable it and save some system resources? Yes, Homegroup runs 2 services in background and you can stop those services to free some valuable system resources.
So today in this tutorial, we are going to tell you how to disable "Homegroup" feature in Windows 7? So without wasting any time, lets start the tutorial:
1. Open Computer and right-click on "Homegroup" icon present in Navigation pane and select "Change HomeGroup Settings":
2. Now click on "Leave the homegroup..." link given at bottom.
3. It'll ask for confirmation, click on "Leave the homegroup" button.
4. After that, close Explorer window. Now type services.msc in RUN or Start Menu Searchbox and press Enter. It'll open "Services" window.
Here look for following 2 services:
- HomeGroup Listener
- HomeGroup Provider
Once you find them, double-click on each and change the "Startup type" to Disabled. Apply the changes and exit from Services window.
5. That's it. It'll permanently disable "HomeGroup" feature and its icon will also be removed from Windows Explorer:
Posted by: Vishal Gupta | Categories: Troubleshooting, Windows 7
Roland
Would have been an easy solution if it would work.
I disabled both services and restarted. Homegroup icon still there.
Looks like I have to edit the registry to get rid of it.
I have Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit SP1.
VG
^^ Yes. You can remove the icon using following tutorial:
http://www.askvg.com/how-to-remove-homegroup-from-windows-7-explorers-navigation-pane/
ml
Can't get past Step 1. No "Leave the homegroup" link appears.
Bob E
Thanks VG. These tutorials are wonderful! I just used this one on Win 8 CP.
If I had known how to customize all the unwanted menus in Win 7 Windows Explorer back in '09, I might have kept Windows 7. ( I've been running XP and various LXDEs ever since. However, I am definitely on-board for Window 8! It's a lot better than 7!)
VG
^^ Glad to help you. :)
JC
?? If I disable this on my laptop does that mean when it is re-enable that I can "join a homegroup", because at the moment both the PC and laptop have a homegroup and though I can see both on the Network...neither appear under homegroup...So would this be like clearing/resetting the homegroup feature for a fresh start?
VG
^^ I cant guarantee but it should work like this.
Sunrise
If I disable Home Group, will I still be able to print on the my new wi-fi printer?
Is Home Group just for sharing files? Because that is not what I want to do and I seem to be unable to do that.
VG
^^ I think the printer should work.
raj
its bloggers like you who make the world a happier place to live in..thanks !
VG
^^ You are welcome. :)