Last night (3/18/2018) I downloaded and installed the latest Preview Build of the upcoming Windows 10 Spring 2018 Update and discovered that Microsoft is killing the HomeGroup feature of Windows 10. That’s right, even if you are currently running it in your latest production builds – it will be stripped from your systems when you move to the next major update of Windows 10 in the Spring of 2018.

At least that is currently what is set to happen per Microsoft. Of course, there is time for this to change (think the canceled destruction of the classic Paint app). I really doubt Microsoft will change their mind on this one, however.

What does Microsoft want Windows 10 users to do instead of relying on the HomeGroup features? Well, the answer is clear – they want you to use OneDrive for your sharing needs, and for whatever that cannot handle, they want you to use the Sharing functionality in the various network object properties.

NOTE: For those of my readers preparing for MCSA Certification in Windows 10, remember, HomeGroup is NOT dead as far as the current exams are concerned. The topics for HomeGroup are still alive and well in the exam objectives and the actual exams themselves. It will not be until the Windows 10 Exam refreshes will we see the end of HomeGroup from a certification perspective.