Creating a local area network (LAN) within an apartment or small office is more than just a way to transfer files from one device to another without using flash drives. It's the foundation for organizing collaboration, accessing network printers, media libraries, and even creating distributed gaming servers. In an era where gigabit fiber optic links are becoming the standard, using a wireless connection is essential. WiFi For organizing internal traffic, it seems like a logical step, eliminating the need to lay unnecessary cables throughout the entire apartment.
Many users mistakenly believe that simply connecting all laptops to a single router will allow them to "see" each other automatically. In reality, the operating system Windows By default, it blocks external connections for security reasons, considering any new network potentially dangerous. You'll need to configure a number of profile settings, enable device discovery, and properly configure access rights to shared resources to ensure the network works reliably.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the entire process, from router setup to fine-tuning your firewall. We won't use any third-party software, relying solely on the operating system's built-in tools to ensure maximum compatibility and stability. It's important to understand that data transfer speeds in such a network will directly depend on the quality of the radio signal and the supported standard. 802.11ac or 802.11ax.
Basic requirements and equipment preparation
Before you begin software configuration, you need to ensure the physical infrastructure is ready. The central element of your future network will be a wireless router. It's a good idea to choose one that supports dual-band operation, especially if you plan to transfer large amounts of data, such as 4K video files or disk images.
All computers you want to connect must be connected to the same router. It doesn't matter whether you use WiFi on all devices or combine a wireless connection with a wired Ethernet connection—for a local network, it doesn't matter, as long as they are on the same segment. Make sure all PCs have up-to-date network adapter drivers, as older versions may not work correctly with modern encryption protocols. WPA3.
⚠️ Note: If one of the computers is connected via a mobile 4G/5G modem or is on a guest WiFi network, combining them into a single local network using standard methods will not work due to the specifics of NAT and client isolation.
It's also a good idea to define static IP addresses in advance or reserve them in your router settings. Dynamically changing addresses can result in links to network resources becoming unusable after a router reboot, requiring the system to be reconfigured. This is especially true for devices that will act as data storage servers.
Setting up a network profile in Windows
The first critical step is to change your network profile from "Public" to "Private." By default, Windows assigns new connections to the "Public" profile, making your computer invisible to other devices and blocking incoming connections. This is a security mechanism that should be disabled for home environments.
To do this, open the Start menu and go to Settings, then select Network & Internet. In the list of active connections, find your WiFi adapter and click its properties. In the window that opens, under the Network Profile heading, switch the radio from Public to "Private".
After changing the profile, the system will automatically apply a set of firewall rules allowing device discovery. If you have multiple computers running Windows 10 or 11, you must repeat this operation on each one. Without this step, further folder sharing will be pointless, as the computers simply won't be able to communicate with each other.
Sometimes the system may fail to save settings or the profile may reset after a reboot. In this case, it's worth checking the services responsible for network discovery. Open a command prompt as administrator and enter the following command to check the service status:
sc query fdResPubIf the service status is anything other than "Running," it must be started. This ensures that the discovery protocols are working correctly at the operating system level.
Configuring sharing settings
Once the network profile has been modified, data sharing mechanisms must be enabled. Windows provides a flexible tool for managing these settings called "Advanced sharing settings." You can find it in the Control Panel or by searching for it.
In the window that opens, you'll see several profiles: "Private Network," "Guest or Public Network," and "All Networks." We're interested in the first section. Here, you need to enable the following options:
- 📡 Enable network discovery (and check the box "Turn on automatic configuration of connected devices").
- 💾 Enable file and printer sharing.
- 🔗 Allow Windows to manage HomeGroup connections (if available).
Next, go to the "All Networks" section. Here you'll find the important "Password-protected sharing" toggle. If you're in a trusted home environment, it's recommended to turn it on. turn offThis will allow you to connect to shared folders without entering your username and password, significantly simplifying work with media players and smart TVs.
⚠️ Important: Disabling password protection is only allowed on a fully trusted network. If neighbors or strangers can connect to your WiFi, leave password protection enabled and create a separate user with read-only permissions.
Be sure to save your changes by clicking the "Save Changes" button at the bottom of the page. The system may require administrator privileges to apply the new security rules. Once applied, the changes take effect immediately, without the need to restart your computer.
☑️ Checking sharing settings
Creating and sharing a shared folder
Now that the network infrastructure is ready, you can begin creating a resource that will be accessible to other network members. You can share any existing folder or create a new one specifically for file sharing. Let's create a folder named "Shared" on the C: or D: drive.
Right-click the folder and select "Properties." Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Advanced." Check the "Share this folder" box. You can change the name in the field below if you don't like the default.
Click the "Permissions" button. By default, the "Everyone" group is set to read-only. If you want other users to be able to not only download files but also upload them to this folder or delete contents, check the "Full Control," "Modify," and "Read" boxes. For maximum security, it's best to leave the permissions set to read-only and create a separate folder for writing.
| Permission type | Reading | Recording | Change | Full access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Read only | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Collaboration | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Administrator | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| No access | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
After setting the permissions, click "OK" and "Apply." It's also important to check the "Security" tab in the folder's properties. Make sure "Everyone" or "Users" appears in the list of groups and users with the appropriate permissions. It often happens that access is granted, but NTFS file system security permissions block access.
Why won't the folder open even though access is granted?
Often, the problem stems from a conflict between NTFS and share permissions. Share permissions are the first door, and NTFS permissions (under the Security tab) are the second. If one of the doors is locked, you won't be able to get through. Make sure the permissions match or are less restrictive at the NTFS level.
Searching for computers and connecting to resources
At this point, the network should be fully functional. To find computers on the network, open File Explorer and select "Network" in the left pane. If you see the message "Network discovery is disabled," click the yellow bar at the top and select "Turn on network discovery and file sharing."
The list should display the names of all computers connected to the local network. You can view the computer name in the system properties or in the command line by entering the command hostnameIf the computers are not visible, try refreshing the list or restarting Explorer.
To access the folder, double-click the computer name. If you've disabled password protection, the folder will open instantly. If password protection is enabled, the system will prompt you for the username and password of the user account on the remote computer. For convenience, you can create a shortcut using the IP address instead of the name:
\\192.168.1.105\SharedUsing an IP address often solves name resolution issues if DNS isn't configured on your network or if discovery services are unstable. You can map this address as a network drive so it appears in My Computer as a separate partition (e.g., drive Z:).
Diagnostics and troubleshooting
Despite proper configuration, situations sometimes arise where computers stop seeing each other. One of the most common causes is the operation of discovery services. In Windows 10 and 11, these services are responsible for this. Function Discovery Resource Publication And Function Discovery Provider Host.
Open services (command services.msc), find the listed services and set their startup type to "Automatic," then start them. This will force the computer to register with the network and make it visible to other devices.
- 🔍 Make sure all computers are in the same workgroup. By default, this is WORKGROUPYou can change it in the system properties.
- 🛡️ Antiviruses and firewalls may be blocking local traffic. Try temporarily disabling them to check.
- 📶 Make sure "WiFi Client Isolation" (AP Isolation) is not enabled on your router. This feature prevents Wi-Fi devices from seeing each other.
⚠️ Note: Router settings interfaces and Windows versions are constantly being updated. If you don't find a menu item, check the official documentation from your equipment manufacturer, as the location of the functions may vary.
If none of these methods help, try resetting your network settings. In Windows 10/11, you can do this via Settings → Network & Internet → Advanced network settings → Network reset. This will reset all network components to factory settings, after which you'll have to go through the setup process again.
What should I do if the file transfer speed is very slow?
WiFi speeds are always slower than wired connections. Make sure you're using the 5 GHz band instead of 2.4 GHz, as the latter is often overloaded by neighboring routers. Also, check if there's a speed limit set in the adapter settings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to connect computers if one is connected via WiFi and the other via cable?
Yes, this is completely normal. The main thing is that both devices are connected to the same router and are on the same subnet (e.g., 192.168.1.x). The physical connection type (copper or radio) doesn't matter for the logical organization of the network.
Why does it ask for a password when connecting, even though I disabled it?
The settings may not have been saved due to administrator privileges, or password protection is enabled on the remote computer. Windows may also be caching old credentials. Try entering the username and password in the following format: ComputerName\UserName and the corresponding password.
How do I find out my computer's IP address on a local network?
Open command prompt (cmd) and enter the command ipconfigFind the "IPv4 Address" line. It usually looks like 192.168.1.X or 192.168.0.X. This is the address other computers should use to connect.
Will the local network work without the Internet?
Yes, a local network works regardless of internet access. The router acts as a switch, connecting devices together. You can transfer files and play online even if your ISP has disconnected your internet connection.
Is it safe to keep public access open all the time?
If you have a strong WiFi password (WPA2/WPA3) and a complex passphrase enabled, the risk is minimal. However, if you have guests over, it's best to temporarily disable public WiFi or use a guest WiFi network that's isolated from your main network.