Creating a local network between multiple computers is a basic task faced by almost every home or office Wi-Fi user. Unlike transferring files via flash drives or cloud storage, a direct local network connection provides much higher speeds and allows you to work with large amounts of data without internet bandwidth limitations. This is especially relevant for multimedia libraries, video editing, or collaborative project collaboration within the office.
The basis of such infrastructure is usually wireless router, which connects all devices into a single subnet, assigning them unique IP addresses. Modern operating systems, such as Windows 10 and 11, have built-in tools for organizing such interactions, but their default settings are often focused on maximum security in public areas, blocking computers from being visible to each other. To fix this, you need to properly configure the network profile and sharing settings.
In this article, we'll walk you through the setup process step by step, focusing on the intricacies of firewall operation and discovery protocols. You'll learn not only how to see computers in your network environment, but also how to securely share folders, configure printer access, and troubleshoot common connection errors. Understanding the operating principles TCP/IP and DNS within your home network will help you avoid access problems in the future.
Checking router hardware and requirements
Before moving on to software settings in Windows, you need to ensure your physical hardware is ready to create a stable connection. All computers you plan to connect must be connected to the same router. It doesn't matter whether they use Wi-Fi or a cable connection. EthernetThe main thing is that they are on the same subnet. If you have a dual-band router, make sure the devices aren't isolated from each other by guest access settings.
⚠️ Important: The "Client Isolation" (or AP Isolation) feature on your router completely prevents data exchange between Wi-Fi devices. If it's enabled, computers won't see each other, even with ideal Windows settings. Check the wireless network section of your router's admin panel and ensure this option is disabled.
It's also worth paying attention to wireless standards. For comfortable work with large files, it's advisable for the router to support these standards. 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) or 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6)Older standards, such as 802.11g or even the basic 802.11n, can become a bottleneck, limiting data transfer rates to 2-5 MB/s, making network access extremely slow. If one computer is connected via cable and the other via Wi-Fi, the speed will be limited by the wireless portion.
Signal stability is an important aspect. If computers are located far apart or separated by thick walls, connection interruptions may occur when copying files. In such cases, use static IP addresses can improve reliability by eliminating potential conflicts or delays associated with re-requesting an address from the router's DHCP server after a connection failure.
Setting up a network profile in Windows
The first software step is to switch the network profile. By default, Windows treats new connections as public, hiding your computer from other devices for security reasons. For a home network, you need to change this status to "Private Network." This will activate the necessary discovery services and allow incoming connections.
To do this in Windows 10 or 11, open Settings from the Start menu and go to Network & Internet. In the list of active connections, select your Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) and find the profile type switch. Set the value PrivateAfter this, the system will automatically apply firewall rules to allow device discovery.
- 📶 Open "Settings" → "Network & Internet" → "Status".
- 🔒 Click on the properties of your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
- ✅ Select "Private" profile instead of "Public".
- 🔄 Restart your computer to apply the changes.
After changing the profile, the system may ask you to confirm discovery. Agree to allow your computer to become visible. If you're using a corporate network, ensure that doing so complies with your organization's security policy, as in an office environment, the "Private" profile may open ports for potential attacks from within the network.
Turn on sharing and discovery
The next step is fine-tuning the sharing settings. Even with the correct network profile, Windows may block file sharing. We need to open the Network and Sharing Center and go to the "Change advanced sharing settings" menu. This is where you'll find key switches that control the PC's visibility and resource access.
In the "Private Network" section, two key options must be enabled: "Turn on network discovery" and "Turn on file and printer sharing." The first option allows the computer to see other devices and be visible to itself, while the second opens ports for data transfer. Without these settings, folders will remain inaccessible, even if they are shared.
⚠️ Caution: Enabling passwordless sharing (the "Turn off password-protected sharing" option) significantly reduces security. Use this option only on a fully trusted home network where no guests are present. Otherwise, anyone connecting to your Wi-Fi will be able to access your files.
It's also worth paying attention to the "All Networks" section. Here you can configure connection encryption and determine how the system handles file versions. For most home users, 128-bit encryption and automatic connection management are the optimal choice. Don't forget to save your changes by clicking "Save Changes" at the bottom of the page.
☑️ Setting up sharing
Expanding access to folders and drives
After configuring network settings, you need to explicitly tell the system which resources you want to make available to other users. This can be done for any folder on your hard drive. This process is called "sharing." Properly setting access permissions ensures that users can read or modify files according to your wishes.
To get started, open File Explorer, find the desired folder, right-click it, and select "Properties." Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Advanced." Check the "Share this folder" box. In the "Permissions" field, you can fine-tune permissions for the "Everyone" group or specific users: Full Control, Modify, or Read-Only.
| Permission type | Description of actions | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | Viewing and copying files | For media libraries, archives |
| Change | Reading, writing, deleting files | For work folders, shared projects |
| Full access | All actions + change access rights | For trusted administrators only |
| Special rights | Fine-tuning specific operations | For advanced users and servers |
There's also a simplified method via the "Access" -> "Sharing..." tab, which is suitable for quick setup at home. However, the advanced setup method offers more control. Once the settings are applied, the folder will be accessible over the network and can be connected to using the computer's name or IP address.
How to find out the IP address of a computer?
To find your computer's IP address on your local network, press Win+R, type cmd, and press Enter. In the black window, enter the command ipconfig. Find the line labeled "IPv4 Address"—this is the number you need (usually starts with 192.168...).
Connecting to network resources and troubleshooting
Once all the settings are complete, it's time to test the results. Open File Explorer on the second computer and go to the "Network" section. If everything is set up correctly, you'll see the name of the first computer. When you try to log in, the system may ask for a username and password. It's important to enter the credentials for the specific computer. where is the folder located, not the one you are connecting from.
A common issue is the "Windows cannot access..." error, which can occur for a variety of reasons, from antivirus blocking to issues with the SMB protocol. Ensure that SMB 1.0/CIFS support is enabled on both computers (although this is less secure and sometimes necessary for older devices) or, more accurately, check your firewall settings. Rules for "File and Printer Sharing" should be enabled in Windows Firewall.
For constant convenience, you can map a network folder as a separate drive. To do this, in File Explorer, click "This PC" -> "Computer" (in the top menu) -> "Map network drive." Select the drive letter and enter the path to the folder in the following format: \\ComputerName\Folder or \\192.168.1.X\FolderCheck the "Restore at logon" box to make the drive available after a reboot.
⚠️ Note: Windows and router settings interfaces may differ depending on the operating system version and hardware model. If you don't find the described option, look for a similar function or consult your device manufacturer's documentation.
Questions and Answers (FAQ)
Why can't computers see each other in a network environment?
Most often, the problem lies with the network profile (it should be "Private") or a disabled detection service. Also, check that your antivirus isn't blocking network connections, and make sure both computers are on the same subnet (the first three digits of the IP address should match).
Is it possible to set up a network between Windows and macOS?
Yes, this is possible. On a Mac, you need to enable "File Sharing" in System Preferences and use the SMB protocol. When connecting from Windows to a Mac (or vice versa), you may need to create identical user accounts with identical passwords on both devices for seamless access.
Is it safe to keep sharing enabled all the time?
If you have a strong Windows password and the "Private Network" profile is enabled, the risks are minimal. However, if you frequently connect to public Wi-Fi, it's best to disable "Network Discovery" or use the "Public Network" profile to hide your resources from prying eyes.
How to increase file transfer speed over Wi-Fi?
Make sure you're using the 5 GHz band instead of 2.4 GHz, as it's less congested and faster. Speed also depends on the router standard (Wi-Fi 5/6) and the distance to it. For maximum speed, it's best to connect critical devices via cable.