Windows can not leave the homegroup!

My desktop PC is running Windows 7 64 bits. I have already created a homegroup on it. But when I try to view password, system does not show anything there and if I try to change the password to a new one it fails to do! Further I can not also leave the homegroup as the system shows the message 'windows cannot leave the homegroup'. What is the problem?

What does the Network and Sharing center say about the homegroup, are you joined?

Have you run the troubleshooter?

Are there any settings you can adjust?

Since once computer creates the homegroup, is that the computer you are on, and are there any other computers connected to the homegroup?

I am trying to connect my laptop but can not connect as the password for homegroup is not visible. Therefore I am trying to leave the homegroup first and then again create a new one on desktop. But windows cannot leave the homegroup!!

You did not answer any of my questions, which makes it harder to help.

What you say is happening almost sounds like you have not yet created a home group. Does the Network and sharing center say "Joined" next to the Home Group entry?

Is you network set up to be a Home network and not a Public Network?

Did you run the troubleshooter?

Dear Sir,

I am sorry for the delay in replying. Let me explain. I have created a homegroup on desktop PC running Windows 7 64 bits. I created a homegroup as administrator. Later on, when I try to join it Windows fails to connect to other computers, even though I complete sharing of my folders on Administrator account.
Second thing I observed is that the password is not there when I go to see it using the wizard. If I type something as a password or change by clicking change the password link, it fails to accept the new one.
Therefore I used troubleshooter which also fails to detect the problems in the settings. As far as network settings are concerned, I have created a Internet Connection sharing using a Dlink router along with ADSL modem. I can use the connection to update windows and applications on my laptop.
But I can not move ahead by creating a workgroup. As I said earlier, it also fails to leave the homegroup.
Can you please let me know where the problem lies?
Further I have created my network as a home network only.

From an elevated CMD prompt.
Net stop p2pimsvc /y

Then delete the following file.
"C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Roaming\PeerNetworking\idstore.sst"

reboot and you should be able to leave the homegroup or rejoin it.


Worked for me anyway

I did both the things!
The problem is still not solved.

OK, I will try again, although I do not think I can help.

Please answer these questions. Do not restate your original problem, since that does not help.

When you open Network and sharing center and click the "joined" link, does the "Change Home Group Settings" window open?

If so, what do you see when you click on "Leave the Homegroup"? You should get a window with three options. From what you seem to be saying, if you click on "Leave the homegroup", you get an error stating you cannot leave the group, is that correct?

Have you made sure you have left the homegroup on the laptop?

Have you run the Homegroup troubleshooter?

Thanks. You are right. The problem is just as you stated. In change homegroup setting when I click leave the homegroup, the windows shows windows cannot leave the homegroup. I have also left the homegroup on my laptop.

What did the homegroup troubleshooter say?

You are running as an admininstrative user?

I think we both agree your situation is not normal for Win 7 so maybe try some more drastic things.

Lets start with disabling the Homegroup. When you do this you will need to enable it again, so keep track of the steps.

Open Group Policy. Type gpedit.msc in the start menu search box and hit enter.
Go to Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\HomeGroup
Click on policy setting
select Disabled

OK you way back out and reboot.

You should no longer see the Homegroup node, but I have not done this and cannot tell you exactly what to look for.

Now go back and do the same procedure except select Not Configured, then reboot.

(This same thing can also be accomplished by changing your network type to Work and rebooting).

If this does not help, try running the System File Checker from an administrative command prompt.

Type cmd in the Start Menu search box and hit CTRL+Shift Enter. Type the following, hit enter and wait for it to finish:

SFC /scannow

If there is a corrupted file in your system, hopefully it will be replaced.

Maybe try changing you workgroup name to something else and then back.

I will keep looking for a solution, but if you can't get it fixed, the option of doing a Repair Install is available, although it does require a re-activation.