Organizing shared access to files and printers on a home or office network is no longer the preserve of select system administrators. Modern wireless technologies They allow you to connect laptops, desktop computers, and even mobile devices into a single ecosystem in minutes. However, despite operating system developers' claims of fully automated processes, users often encounter invisibility issues or access errors when attempting to connect devices.
Creating a local network (LAN) via Wi-Fi router — it's not just a way to transfer a movie from one PC to another, but also the ability to share resources, such as printers or external hard drives connected to a router's USB port. In this article, we'll walk through all the configuration steps, paying special attention to the differences in security settings between Windows 7 and newer versions of the system.
Understanding the principles of IP addressing and network profiles is the foundation of successful configuration. Without correctly identifying the network type (private or public), the security system may simply block all incoming connections, considering them a potential external threat.
Basic requirements and equipment verification
Before starting the software setup, you need to ensure that the hardware is in good working order. All computers to be connected must be connected to the same router, either via cable or via Wi-Fi connectionIf the devices are on different subnets (for example, one is connected to the main router and the other is connected to a repeater in bridge mode with a different subnet), they may not be able to see each other without additional routing.
A working TCP/IP protocol is critically important. Most home networks use dynamic address assignment via DHCP server router. This means that each computer receives a unique address automatically. Problems arise when devices receive addresses from different ranges or when static IP addresses conflict with each other.
For stable operation of the local network, it is recommended to use the encryption standard WPA2-PSK or WPA3 On the router itself. Outdated security methods like WEP are not only vulnerable but can also cause compatibility issues on new Windows 10 devices. Make sure your wireless adapter drivers are updated to the latest version, as older versions often ignore requests to discover other network nodes.
Setting up a network profile in Windows
The first step in the configuration process is to correctly determine the network type. By default, the Windows operating system considers a new network to be "public," which provides the highest level of security and hides the computer from other devices. To allow data exchange, the profile must be changed to "Private Network" (or "Home" in older versions).
In Windows 10 and 11, this is done through the Action Center or Network Settings. Click the Wi-Fi or Ethernet icon in the system tray, select the active connection properties, and toggle the switch to "Private." In Windows 7, the first time you connect, the system will ask for the computer's location, where you should select "Home Network."
⚠️ Note: Changing your network profile to "Private" makes your computer visible to other devices within Wi-Fi range. Make sure you trust the network you're connected to, especially if it's a public area.
After changing the profile, the system will automatically apply the corresponding firewall rules. If you use a third-party antivirus with a built-in firewall (such as Kaspersky or ESET), Windows settings may be ignored. In this case, open the network protection settings within the antivirus itself and allow local connections.
Configuring sharing settings
The central control for resource visibility is the Network and Sharing Center panel. This is where the key switches that allow computers to "see" each other and exchange data are located. Without these features enabled, access to folders will be blocked, even with the correct IP address.
To access Settings in Windows 10, go to Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settingsIn Windows 7, the path is similar, but the interface may differ. Here, we're interested in the "Private (current profile)" profile.
The following options must be activated:
- 📡 Turn on network discovery - allows your computer to broadcast its presence and see other devices.
- 📂 Enable file and printer sharing — allows other network users to access shared resources.
- 🔑 Enable password-protected sharing — requires you to enter your account login and password when connecting (recommended for security).
Disabling password protection makes it easier to connect devices (TVs, media players), but it reduces security, as anyone who connects to your Wi-Fi will have access to public folders. For a home network with a strong Wi-Fi password, this is often an acceptable compromise.
☑️ Checking sharing settings
Sharing folders and setting access rights
After enabling network services, you need to select specific resources to share. The contents of the C: drive or the Documents folder won't be made publicly available. The sharing process varies across different versions of Windows.
To share a folder, right-click it, select "Properties," and go to the "Sharing" tab. Click the "Sharing..." button (Advanced settings). In the window that opens, add a user. Everyone (Everyone) and assign it the permission level: "Read" (view only) or "Read and write" (full control).
| Access level | Description of rights | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | The user can only open and copy files. | Media libraries, document archives |
| Change | Adding, editing, and deleting files | Working folders for joint projects |
| Full access | All rights + access rights management | For trusted administrators only |
It's important to distinguish between the "Access" and "Security" tabs in folder properties. If a user or the "Everyone" group doesn't have write permissions in the "Security" tab, the system will return an error even if "Write" permissions are enabled in the "Access" tab. This is a common cause of problems when users can't save files to a network folder.
What should I do if the "Access" tab is missing from the folder properties?
If there is no "Sharing" tab, the folder is located in the user's system directory (e.g., C:\Users\Name\Documents). Move the folder to the root of the drive (e.g., create C:\Share) or disable "Simple File Sharing" in Folder Options.
Solving computer visibility issues
One of the most common problems in Windows 10 is computers disappearing from the "Network" list, even when all settings are correct. This is because Microsoft disabled support for the older SMBv1 protocol for security reasons, and the new discovery mechanism (WS-Discovery) is unstable without running services.
To correct the situation, you need to make sure that the following services are running. Click Win + R, enter services.msc and find in the list:
- 🖥️ Function Discovery Resource Publication — set to "Automatic" and run.
- 🔍 Function Discovery Provider Host - also start and set to autostart.
- 🌐 SSDP Discovery Service - required to search for devices.
Another possible cause is time desynchronization. If one computer's time is more than 5 minutes behind or ahead of the other, the Kerberos protocol blocks the connection. Ensure that automatic time synchronization via the internet is enabled on all devices.
⚠️ Note: In some Windows 10 builds (especially Home builds), discovery services may be missing or blocked by group policies. In this case, the easiest way to access computers is by IP address, bypassing the network list.
Mapping network drives and IP access
For permanent access to another computer's resources, it's most convenient to map the network folder as a separate drive in "My Computer." This eliminates the need to search for the device in your network neighborhood each time. A direct connection via IP address is the most reliable method if the computer name is not resolved.
To find out the IP address of the target computer, open a command prompt (cmd) on it and enter the command ipconfigFind the line "IPv4 address", for example, 192.168.1.45On the second computer, open File Explorer and enter in the address bar \\192.168.1.45 and press Enter.
net use Z: \\192.168.1.45\SharedFolder /persistent:yesThis command in the command line will create a persistent network drive named Z:, which will be automatically mounted each time Windows boots. If the system prompts you for credentials, enter the username and password of the computer whose folders you're connecting to, not the current computer.
Windows 7 setup features
Although Windows 7 support has officially ended, it's still found on many PCs. The setup principles are similar, but the interface and available protocols differ. Windows 7 has simple sharing enabled by default, which simplifies life on home networks but poses risks on corporate networks.
A key difference is the presence of HomeGroup, which allowed for easy library sharing. However, in Windows 10, HomeGroup support was completely removed. Therefore, when setting up a network between Windows 7 and Windows 10, you cannot use HomeGroup—you must use classic account-based sharing.
Windows 7 may also have file encryption enabled by default, which isn't always handled correctly by newer systems without additional registry tweaks. If you encounter an error connecting Windows 10 to Windows 7, try temporarily disabling data encryption in the network adapter properties on both computers.
How to disable SMB signing requirement in Windows 10 for communication with older NAS?
This isn't secure, but it's sometimes necessary. In the registry, at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanWorkstation\Parameters, create a DWORD value named AllowInsecureGuestAuth with a value of 1.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why can computers see each other, but folders won't open?
The issue is most likely related to file system (NTFS) permissions. Check the "Security" tab in the folder's properties. Also, make sure your antivirus isn't blocking the connection and that the same credentials are used on both computers or that guest access is enabled.
Is it possible to create a local network if one computer is connected via Wi-Fi 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 (Wi-Fi or LAN) does not affect the logical organization of the network.
How do I remove the password prompt when accessing a network folder?
To do this, disable "Password-protected sharing" in the "Network and Sharing Center" on the computer where the files are located (the server). Alternatively, create identical usernames and passwords on both computers, then login will occur automatically.
Why did the "Sharing" tab disappear from folders in Windows 10?
This happens if the folder is in the user's system profile. Move the folder to the root of the drive (for example, create a folder called C:\Data) or disable the "Use simple file sharing" option in Folder Options, although this option is hidden in newer versions of Windows.