I have a Win 7x32 on my laptop and Win 7x64 desktop. I created a homegroup on the desktop, and then went to the laptop and joined that homegroup. I was accessing files, etc. Then it disconnected. I can bring it back up if I reboot my laptop, but then only for a short while, and it disconnects again. I don't have any 3rd party firewalls on the laptop. THe laptop when it loses this connection, can still access the internet via the Netgear router, and can still print to my printer. Any ideas?

You didn't by chance name both machines the same did you? That would cause a conflict. If you did, rename one of the machines. If that's not it, then what AV are you using? If you get to this point, uninstall your AV and check and see if the problem reappears, if it works, then you found your culprit. Oh and disable IPv6. I don't know which version of Netgear you have, but update the firmware on it to the latest version. MCSE, MCSA, MCDST [If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.]

Thank you. I am using avast! for my AV. They are named different names. I have the latest firmware on my Netgear. I will google how to disable ipv6. Is that on both machines or just the laptop?

If both are Windows 7, then both for all network adapters. While there, also disable the power saving features of your network interfaces (on both). See if that improves before we go to the next step. To disable IPv6 on the interfaces, go to Network and Sharing Center, change adapter settings, right click each connection, select properties and uncheck IPv6. I'm also curios if your desktop can access the internet the same time your laptop can when it loses this homegroup connection? Have you updated your Netgear routers firmware, if you haven't, then do so (or tell us which Netgear exactly you have).MCSE, MCSA, MCDST [If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.]

How do I disable the power saving feature on both computers? I disabled ipv6. My netgear is a Rangemax with current firmware. My homegroup hasn't dropped recently. It shows the folders, but when I double click on them, it can't open them.

Okay, so I am actually using avast! on my desktop that is always connected and always shows a homegroup. My laptop is using the Windows Defender or whatever its called. That wouldn't have an effect on connecting to Homegroup would it? How do I disable the power saving feature on them? Lately my Homegroup says "No other computers are currently available". So frustrating. Any ideas.

Hi, IPv6 protocol is necessary to HomeGroup and you need enable it. 1. Enable IPv6 a. Open "Network Connections" window, right click the "Local Area Connection" and click Properties. b. Select "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)" c. Click OK. 2. Temporarily turn off Windows Firewall and antivirus program on each machine. 3. Upgrade the NIC drivers on each machine. Then, please check whether HomeGroup can work fine. If not, please leave HomeGroup and create a new one for a test. If there is any error message, please upload it Thanks, Novak