Windows 7 adds some great streaming tools, including one that lets you listen to your home music on another Windows 7 PC over the Internet. Like other online features, Internet streaming requires a Windows Live ID. Visit to sign up for free, if haven't already registered there.

Open the User Accounts Control Panel, and choose Link online IDs. Select Add an online ID provider, and click the Windows Live logo in the newly opened Web page. Download the file (either 32-bit or 64-bit) that corresponds to your Windows 7 installation. Then run the installer.

The host PC (the PC that holds the media files) must be set up in a Home network and a HomeGroup. If yours isn't configured this way, click the Stream menu and select Turn on media streaming with HomeGroup. Follow the prompts, or skip this routine if you already have a HomeGroup.

Select Stream, Allow Internet access to home media. If you don't see that option listed, choose Link an online ID. The User Accounts Control Panel will open again. Select Link online ID, enter your log-in info, and press Sign In. Click Close.

Back in Windows Media Player, select Allow Internet access to home media, press Yes, and click OK. Leave this computer running whenever you want to share media.