Organization local network Between laptops within the same apartment or office has ceased to be the prerogative of system administrators, becoming an available function for any PC user. Modern operating systems, such as Windows 10, provide built-in tools that allow you to connect devices into a single digital ecosystem without purchasing an additional router or running extra cables. Using a wireless connection Wi-Fi makes this process as flexible as possible, allowing you to move around the room while remaining connected to the network and sharing resources.
The main difficulty users face isn't a lack of hardware, but rather the proper software configuration of security and sharing protocols. It often happens that laptops see the router but "don't notice" each other, hiding behind firewalls or operating in different network profiles. Understanding how it works IP addressing and home network groups will help avoid hours of useless attempts to “make friends” between devices.
In this guide, we'll walk you through a step-by-step process that will transform disparate computers into a powerful data sharing tool. You'll learn not only how to create a connection, but also how to properly configure access rights, balancing convenience and cybersecurity your personal files. This knowledge will allow you to easily stream media files to your TV, play online games, or collaborate on documents.
Checking requirements and preparing equipment
Before configuring the software, you must ensure that the hardware is physically ready to operate in local network mode. A key requirement is that all participating laptops have working modules. Wi-Fi, which can not only receive a signal but also support peer-to-peer modes or operate in infrastructure mode through a single access point. If you plan to create a computer-to-computer network without a router, one of the laptops must support virtual access point functionality.
It's also important to ensure your network adapter drivers are up-to-date, as outdated software may not support modern encryption standards or device discovery protocols. Open Device Manager and ensure that the "Network Adapters" section doesn't have any exclamation marks, and that your adapter model supports these standards. 802.11n or higher to ensure acceptable data transfer rates.
⚠️ Note: If one laptop is connected to the internet via an Ethernet cable and the other only via Wi-Fi, they may be on different logical subnets, which will require manual routing configuration or the use of a dedicated connection bridge.
Make sure network discovery is enabled on all devices. In Windows 10, this often depends on which network profile you selected when you first connected: "Private" or "Public." For a local network, it's absolutely necessary to select a profile. "Private", since in "Public" mode the system blocks incoming connections for security reasons.
☑️ Preparing to create a network
Configuring sharing settings in Windows 10
The central configuration element is the Sharing Control Panel, where you set global rules for how your laptop interacts with other devices. To access it, open Control Panel, go to Network and Internet, then select Network and Sharing Center and click Change advanced sharing settings. This is where you decide whether your computer will be visible in the list of available devices.
In the window that opens, expand the "Private (current profile)" profile and enable the following options: "Turn on network discovery" and "Turn on file and printer sharing." Without these two options enabled, the operating system will ignore incoming connection requests, considering them a potential external threat.
It's also worth paying attention to encryption settings. In the "All Networks" section, it's recommended to select "Turn on password-protected sharing." This means that to access your folders, another user will need to enter your laptop's username and password, which is a basic level. data protection from strangers.
- 📁 Network discovery - allows the computer to see other devices and be visible to them.
- 🖨️ Printer sharing - allows other network users to print on your printer.
- 🔒 Password protection - requires authorization to access resources, increasing security.
Creating and connecting to a wireless network
There are two main scenarios for establishing a connection: using an existing router or creating a direct network between laptops. In the first case, everything is simple: make sure both laptops are connected to the same Wi-Fi network with the same name (SSID). The operating system will automatically assign them IP addresses from the same subnet, which forms the foundation for further work.
If you don't have a router, you can turn one of your laptops into a hotspot. Windows 10 has a built-in "Mobile Hotspot" feature for this. Go to "Settings" → "Network & Internet" → "Mobile Hotspot." Select the adapter your laptop uses for internet access (if applicable), or simply create a new network for local sharing.
netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid="MyLocalNet" key="password123"This command, entered in the command prompt as an administrator, will allow you to create a virtual adapter for Wi-Fi sharing at a deeper level if standard tools don't work. After creating the network, the second laptop should find it in the list of available connections and enter the specified security key.
| Parameter | Value for Host (Distributor) | Value for Client (Connecting) |
|---|---|---|
| Work schedule | Access point / Hotspot | Wi-Fi client |
| IP address | Static (often 192.168.137.1) | Automatic (DHCP) |
| Visibility | Visible to everyone within range | Sees the Host network |
| CPU load | Above (the module is transmitting) | Standard |
Advanced IP address and protocol configuration
In some cases, automatic address assignment may fail, especially if the network contains devices with static IP addresses or older printers. In these cases, manual address assignment is required. Open Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network Connections, locate your wireless connection, right-click, and select Properties.
In the list of components, find the line "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)", select it, and click "Properties". Here you need to switch to using the following IP address. For the first laptop, for example, specify: 192.168.1.10, and for the second one - 192.168.1.11. The system usually inserts the subnet mask automatically (255.255.255.0).
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that the third octet of the address (number 1 in the example 192.168.1.10) must be the same for all devices, otherwise they will end up in different logical segments and will not be able to exchange data.
Having the SMB 1.0/CIFS protocol installed is also critical for compatibility with older devices, although Microsoft recommends disabling it for security reasons. If you can't see an old network drive or printer, check "Turn Windows features on or off" to see if this protocol is enabled.
What is DNS and is it needed in a local network?
On a clean local network without internet access, DNS servers aren't required for shared folders to work, as they are accessed directly via IP. However, if internet access is required, it's best to enter your router's address or a public DNS (e.g., 8.8.8.8) in the "Preferred DNS Server" field.
Expanding access to folders and files
Once a connection has been successfully established, the next step is to configure access rights to specific data. You can't simply open the C: drive on the remote computer—you need to explicitly tell the system which folders to share. Select the desired folder, right-click "Properties," and go to the "Sharing" tab.
Click the "Advanced Settings" button and check the "Share this folder" box. In the "Permissions" menu, you can fine-tune permissions for the "Everyone" group or specific users: allow read-only access or grant full access with the ability to modify and delete files.
There is also a "Share with" feature that creates a folder in a special system directory. C:\Users\PublicThis is a quick method, but it is less flexible in terms of managing access rights for different network users.
- 👁️ Read only - Users can copy files, but cannot modify them.
- ✏️ Full access — (allowed) changing, deleting and creating new files.
- 🚫 No access — the folder is hidden or access is denied to a specific user.
Diagnosing problems and troubleshooting connection errors
Even with proper configuration, situations may arise where computers cannot see each other. First, use Windows' built-in diagnostics: right-click the network icon in the system tray → "Diagnostics." The system will automatically check the status of the drivers, the presence of an IP address, and the availability of the gateway.
A common problem is that the connection is blocked by an antivirus or firewall. Try temporarily disabling your third-party antivirus and checking access. If the problem is resolved, add your local network to the trusted list in your antivirus software's security settings.
Resetting your network settings can also help. In Windows 10, you can do this via Settings → Network & Internet → Status → Network Reset. This will delete all saved Wi-Fi passwords and reset your network adapters to factory settings, which often resolves deep-seated software conflicts.
ipconfig /flushdnsipconfig /registerdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
netsh winsock reset
Running these commands from an elevated command prompt will flush the DNS cache, refresh IP addressing, and reset the TCP/IP stack, which will resolve most protocol-level connection errors.
⚠️ Note: After resetting the network and rebooting, you will need to re-enter the password for your Wi-Fi router on all devices, as the system will delete saved connection profiles.
Why did I lose access to network folders after a Windows update?
Microsoft regularly updates security policies, disabling older protocols (such as SMBv1). If you've lost access to your NAS or older PC after upgrading to Windows 10, check whether legacy file sharing support needs to be enabled in Windows components.
Questions and Answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to play online games via a created Wi-Fi network?
Yes, most LAN games will work if they support LAN server searching or direct IP connection. The main thing is that your firewall doesn't block the game's executable file.
Why can my computer see the network but not other computers?
Most likely, one of the devices has "Password-protected sharing" enabled and the credentials do not match, or Discovery Resource Publication (Function Discovery Resource Publication) is disabled on the system.
What is the maximum Wi-Fi data transfer speed in a local network?
Speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard (N, AC, AX) and distance. Under ideal conditions, 802.11ac can achieve real-world speeds of 300-400 Mbps, which is sufficient for streaming Full HD video.
Is internet required for a local network to function?
No, internet access is not required. A local network operates at the hardware and driver level. However, if you want to share internet access from one laptop to another, the host must have internet access.