Setting up a Wi-Fi network between two computers: 3 proven methods

Establishing a direct wireless connection between two computers without a router is a task that arises in a variety of situations, from transferring large files to organizing multiplayer games or remote control. Despite the apparent complexity, modern versions Windows 10/11 Offer built-in tools for such configuration, eliminating the need for additional hardware. The key is to choose the right method based on your goals and the technical capabilities of your devices.

In this article we will look at three main ways of organizing Wi-Fi networks between PCs: through access point (hosted network), using Wi-Fi Direct and through ad-hoc networksEach method has its own nuances: in some cases, support for certain wireless communication standards will be required (802.11a/n/ac), and in some cases, you'll have to manually configure IP addresses. We'll walk through each step in detail, highlighting common errors and offering solutions for when the connection fails.

Before you begin, make sure both computers are equipped with Wi-Fi adapters (built-in or external) and are located in the area of ​​confident signal reception (up to 10-15 meters (No obstacles). If you plan to transfer files, prepare shared folders in advance—this will save time during the setup phase.

Method 1: Creating an access point (Hosted Network) on Windows

This method is suitable if one of the computers will act as a virtual router, distributing the Internet or providing communication between devices. The main advantage is the ease of setup and support by most modern adapters. However, not all Wi-Fi modules support the regime hosted network, so please check compatibility first.

To start the hotspot, open Command prompt as administrator and execute two commands in sequence:

netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=MyWiFi key=12345678
netsh wlan start hostednetwork

Here MyWiFi — the name of your network (you can replace it with anything), and 12345678 — password (minimum 8 characters). After running the second command, a new wireless connection should appear on the second computer. If it doesn't, check if it's enabled. Wi-Fi adapter and whether it supports this mode.

• 🔧 Checking hosted network support: Enter the command netsh wlan show drivers and find the line Hosted network supportIf it's there Yes - your adapter fits.
• 📡 Internet distribution: To allow the second computer to access the network, go to Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settings, find an internet connection (for example, Ethernet), right-click → Properties → Access and allow use for Local Area Connections* X (where X is the number of your hosted network).
• ⚡ Energy saving: Disable power saving mode for your Wi-Fi adapter in Device Manager, otherwise the connection may be broken.

⚠️ Attention: If the access point does not start automatically after rebooting, create .bat-file with command netsh wlan start hostednetwork and add it to startup. Some antivirus programs (for example, Kaspersky) may block such a connection - temporarily disable network protection.

Is Wi-Fi enabled on both PCs?

The adapter supports hosted network (checked via netsh)|

The network password must be at least 8 characters long|

Airplane mode is disabled on the main PC-->

Method 2: Using Wi-Fi Direct for direct connection

Wi-Fi Direct — is a technology that allows devices to connect directly without an intermediary (router). It is supported by most modern adapters (802.11n/ac/ax) and provides high data transfer speeds (up to 1 Gbps (under ideal conditions). The main advantage of this method is that there is no need to manually configure IP addresses.

To activate Wi-Fi Direct on Windows:

1. Open Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
2. Click Additional options and turn on the option Wi-Fi Direct (if it is not there, your adapter does not support the technology).
3. On the second computer, in the list of available networks, find the name of the first PC (usually it matches the name of the device in the system) and connect.

Once connected, both computers will receive IP addresses automatically via DHCPTo check the connection, open a command prompt and run ping [IP address of the second PC]If the packets arrive without loss, the connection is established successfully.

⚠️ Attention: Some laptops (eg. Dell Latitude or HP EliteBook) can block Wi-Fi Direct via corporate BIOS policies. In this case, try updating the adapter driver or use alternative methods.

Method 3: Setting up an ad-hoc network (an outdated but working method)

Ad-hoc networks - This is a classic point-to-point method of connecting devices, which worked back in Windows XPIt is now considered obsolete, but may be useful if your adapters do not support it. hosted network or Wi-Fi DirectThe main disadvantage is the low speed (up to 54 Mbps according to standard 802.11g) and the need for manual IP configuration.

To create an ad-hoc network:

1. Open Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Set up a new connection.
2. Select Setting up a wireless computer-to-computer network (in Windows 10/11 this item may be missing - then use the command line).
3. Set the network name (SSID), security type (WPA2-Personal) and password.
4. On the second computer, connect to the created network.

Once connected, you'll need to manually assign IP addresses. On the first PC:

IP address: 192.168.1.1
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0

On the second PC:

IP address: 192.168.1.2
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Default gateway: 192.168.1.1

To check the connection, use the command ping 192.168.1.2 from the first computer. If the ping works, the network is configured correctly.

netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=AdHocNet key=password123
netsh wlan start hostednetwork

4. Setting up shared access to files and folders

Once the connection between the computers is established, the next task is to organize the data exchange. To do this, you need to configure public access to folders. In Windows, this is done through the folder properties:

1. Right-click on the folder → Properties → Access.
2. Click Share and select a user All (or specify the specific user name of the second PC).
3. On the tab Security click Change and add a user All with rights Reading and writing.

To access a shared folder from another computer, open Conductor and enter in the address bar \\[IP address of the first PC] (For example, \\192.168.1.1). If access requires login/password, use the account details of the first computer.

• 🔐 Safety: Avoid using the account Guest — it's often disabled by default in Windows 10/11. Instead, create a local user with limited rights.
• 📂 Transfer speed: To speed up copying large files, disable TCP/IP autoconfiguration in the registry (parameter TcpAckFrequency).
• 🔄 Synchronization: To automatically synchronize folders, use utilities like FreeFileSync or Resilio Sync.

⚠️ Attention: If you receive an error when connecting to a shared folder 0x80070035 ("Network path not found"), check if the protocol is enabled SMB 1.0 (although its use is not recommended for security reasons). Alternatively, turn on SMB 2.0+ through Control Panel → Programs and Features → Turn Windows features on or off.

5. Troubleshooting connection issues

Even with proper setup, the connection may not work due to software or hardware limitations. Here are the most common issues and how to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔌 Hardware compatibility: Make sure both adapters support at least the standard 802.11n. Old devices (802.11b/g) may not be visible to modern networks.
• 🛡️ Antivirus software: Avast, ESET NOD32 and other antivirus programs often block non-standard network connections. Add the computers' IP addresses to the exceptions.
• 📶 Channels and frequencies: In densely populated areas the network 2.4 GHz may overlap. Try setting the channel manually (for example, 1 or 11) through netsh wlan set hostednetwork channel=1.

6. Alternative programs for connecting a PC via Wi-Fi

If Windows' built-in tools aren't suitable, you can use third-party utilities. They offer more flexible settings and often resolve compatibility issues.

• 🌐 Connectify Hotspot: A paid program with a trial period that allows you to distribute the Internet and create secure networks. Supports WPA3.
• 🔗 Virtual Router PlusA free, open-source utility for creating a hosted network. Works on most adapters.
• 🎮 Radmin VPN: A solution for organizing a virtual network between computers, even if they are located in different local networks (via the Internet).
• 📁 D-LANA program for fast file transfer over Wi-Fi without complicated settings. It uses a direct data transfer protocol.

ping -n 50 192.168.1.2