Home networking with windows 7

Question

We are currently running a home network using windows 7, where we have set up a homegroup etc for sharing files. We have a wireless network at home.

When I share files and my son downloads them, is this done through our home network as is, or does it use the internet to transfer the files. That is, when my son is downloading, is he getting them 'direct' from my machine through the router, or is it using the internet connection to do this? If the internet was down for whatever reason, would we still have a home network that worked?

We are using a wireless hub connected to cable internet (virgin media).

Answer 1

It does not use an outside connection. If your ISP were to drop service to you for some reason, the current arrangement would still work.

EDIT: This is, obviously, assuming that you are sharing the files via the Windows filesystem (homegroup/sharing settings) and not some internet based service like Dropbox, etc.