Organizing local data exchange within an apartment or office is no longer the preserve of system administrators and has become a daily necessity for ordinary users. When it comes to transferring gigabytes of photos, co-editing documents, or playing a game over a local network, a wireless connection becomes the most convenient solution. Modern standards Wi-Fi allow you to achieve speeds that are quite comparable to wired analogues, while providing freedom of movement.
The setup process may seem complicated at first glance, but by following a logical sequence of steps, you'll create a stable file sharing environment in minutes. In this article, we'll walk you through every step: from checking your hardware to setting up access rights in the Windows operating system. Understanding the principles local area network (LAN) will help you not only set up a connection, but also properly protect it from outside intrusions.
To get started, make sure all your devices are connected to the same router. This is a fundamental requirement, as computers simply won't be able to see each other in the network environment. If one laptop is connected to a guest network and the other to the main network, or if one is sharing internet via a mobile hotspot, there will be no connection between them.
It is also worth considering that the operating frequency of the wireless module plays a key role in the stability of the transmission of large amounts of data. Range 5 GHz provides higher throughput but has a shorter range compared to 2.4 GHzFor file storage or media server use, it's preferable to use a 5 GHz channel if your devices support this standard.
Checking Windows network profile settings
The first step, often overlooked by beginners, is checking the network profile type. Windows treats new connections as public by default, automatically hiding your computer from other devices for security reasons. We need to change the network status to "Private" to allow discovery.
To do this in Windows 10, click the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray, select "Properties" for the current connection, and in the "Network Profile" section, toggle the switch to "Private." In Windows 11, the path is similar: Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Manage known networksHere you should also select your router and set the "Private Network" profile.
⚠️ Warning: Enabling private networking is only allowed in a trusted home environment. If you're in a cafe or airport, leaving this mode enabled will make your shared folders visible to anyone, which is a critical vulnerability.
After changing your profile, the system automatically activates the necessary discovery services. Your computer is no longer "invisible" and begins broadcasting signals indicating its readiness to exchange data. This is a basic level of security that prevents accidental connections to other people's devices in public places.
It's important to understand that changing the profile affects the firewall's operation. In private mode, the firewall allows incoming connections for trusted applications, while in public mode, it blocks most ports. If files still aren't transferring after changing the profile, it's worth checking whether a third-party antivirus is blocking network traffic.
Setting up sharing options
The next step is fine-tuning the file sharing policy. Even if the computers can see each other, access to folders may be blocked at the operating system level. We need to open the Network Control Panel and enable the appropriate options.
Go to Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settingsHere we're interested in the "Private (Current Profile)" section. Make sure the following options are enabled:
- 📡 Turn on network discovery - allows the computer to see other devices and be visible to itself.
- 📂 Turn on file and printer sharing — allows access to shared resources.
- 🔐 Let Windows manage HomeGroup connections - simplifies setting up access rights.
The "All Networks" section deserves special attention. It contains the critically important "Password-protected sharing" option. If you want only users who know your Windows account password to access your files, leave this option enabled. However, if you're setting up a network in a fully trusted environment (such as a smart home) and want easier access, you can disable protection, but this will reduce your security.
After making all changes, be sure to click the "Save Changes" button. The system will apply the new traffic filtering rules. In some cases, you may need to restart your network adapter or the entire computer for the settings to take effect.
☑️ Access setup checklist
It's worth noting that in corporate networks, these settings may be managed by administrator group policies. In this case, attempting to change the settings will result in an error or an automatic rollback of the settings. For home users, such restrictions are typically not relevant, unless you're using specific corporate OS versions.
Creating a shared folder and assigning permissions
Now that the network infrastructure is ready, you can begin creating a resource that other computers will use. You can share any existing folder or create a new one specifically for file sharing.
Right-click the folder, select "Properties," and go to the "Sharing" tab. Click "Advanced" and check "Share this folder." Next, click "Permissions" to determine what other users can do.
The default group list usually includes "Everyone." Select this group and select the desired permissions:
- ✅ Full access - allows you to read, modify, and delete files (use with caution).
- ✏️ Edit — Allows editing and deletion, but does not allow changing access settings.
- 👁 Read - Users can only open and copy files, but cannot modify them.
There's also a "Security" tab in the folder's properties. It's common for network access to be open, but the system blocks access due to NTFS file system restrictions. Make sure the "Everyone" user or the specific user you're granting access to with the appropriate permissions is listed in the groups on the "Security" tab.
The nuances of NTFS access rights
Permissions in the Security (NTFS) tab take precedence over those in the Access (Network) tab. If network access is set to "Everything" but NTFS access is set to "No," the file won't open. The most reliable method is to synchronize permissions in both locations or use the "Everyone" group with full permissions only for test folders.
For maximum security, it's recommended to create a separate user with limited rights to access shared resources, rather than granting access to the entire system. This will protect your personal files from accidental deletion or viewing by network guests.
Mapping a network drive and searching for devices
After setting up shared folders on one computer, it's convenient to make them appear on another computer as a regular local drive. This eliminates the need to search for the device in the network environment and manually enter the address each time.
To do this, open "This PC," right-click on an empty space, and select "Map network drive." In the window that opens, specify the drive letter (e.g., Z:) and the path to the folder in the following format: \\ComputerName\FolderName or \\192.168.1.5\Shared.
If you don't know the IP address or computer name, you can find them out using the command line. Run cmd and enter the command:
ipconfigIn the "IPv4 Address" line, you'll see the device's current address on the local network. You can find the computer name in the system settings or through the console using the command hostnameUsing an IP address is often more reliable, as computer names may not always be resolved correctly by DNS on simple home networks.
| Parameter | Description | Example of meaning |
|---|---|---|
| IPv4 Address | The unique address of a device on the network | 192.168.0.105 |
| Subnet Mask | Subnet mask (determines the size of the network) | 255.255.255.0 |
| Default Gateway | Router (gateway) address | 192.168.0.1 |
| DNS Servers | Name servers (often the same as the router) | 192.168.0.1 |
When connecting a drive, the system may ask for credentials. Enter the login and password for your computer account. on which the folder is located, not the one you're connecting from. If the accounts match, you may be logged in automatically.
Setting up a shared printer via WiFi
Printing documents from any device in the home is one of the most popular features of a local network. If you have a printer connected to one of your computers via USB, you can easily make it a network printer.
Go to "Devices and Printers" (or "Printers & Scanners" in newer versions of Windows) on the computer to which the printer is connected. Right-click the device, select "Printer properties" → the "Sharing" tab, and check the "Share this printer" box.
On other computers, go to the Add Printers section and select "The printer I want isn't listed." Then select Search by name or IP address. The system will find the shared device and prompt you to install drivers. On most modern operating systems, the drivers will download automatically. Windows Update.
An alternative is to use printers with a built-in Wi-Fi module or connect the printer directly to the router via USB, if the router supports the function. Print Server.
Diagnosing and resolving access problems
Despite the ease of setup, users often encounter errors such as "No access," "Incorrect username or password," or the complete absence of computers in the network environment. Let's look at the main causes.
The most common problem is a disabled discovery service. Check in services (services.msc) the "Function Discovery Resource Publishing" service status. It should be running. It's also worth checking whether your antivirus software is blocking the local network by marking it as "Public."
⚠️ Warning: Error 0x80070035 ("The network path was not found") often occurs due to the SMB 1.0 protocol being disabled in newer versions of Windows, although modern devices use SMB 2.0/3.0. Enabling the older protocol is not recommended due to vulnerabilities; it's best to check your firewall settings.
If computers are on different subnets (for example, one is connected to the main Wi-Fi 192.168.1.x and the other to the guest network 192.168.2.x), they won't see each other without configuring routing on the router. Make sure all devices are assigned IP addresses from the same range.
To reset network settings, you can use the command in the command line with administrator rights:
netsh winsock resetAfter running the command, a reboot will be required. This action clears the network socket cache and often resolves issues with network services freezing.
Local network security
By sharing files, you potentially expand your attack surface. Even on a home network, it's important to practice basic security. Avoid using weak passwords on user accounts, especially if password protection for shared access is disabled.
Regularly check the list of connected devices in your router's interface. If you see an unfamiliar device, change your Wi-Fi password immediately. Use encryption. WPA3 or at least WPA2-AES, avoiding legacy WEP and WPA/TKIP standards.
For transferring sensitive data, it's best to use specialized encryption tools or cloud services with strong encryption, even within a local network. A local network is convenient, but it's not impenetrable.
Why can't my computer see other computers on the network?
Most often, the problem lies with the network profile (it's set to "Public" instead of "Private") or a disabled network discovery service. Also, check whether the SMB 1.0 protocol is enabled (although this is rare on newer systems) and that the DNS service is running.
How to find out the IP address of another computer?
On the target computer, open a command prompt (cmd) and type ipconfigYou're interested in the IPv4 address line. Alternatively, you can find the address in the router's web interface in the DHCP client list.
Is it possible to set up a network between Windows and macOS?
Yes, it's possible. On a Mac, go to System Preferences → Sharing and enable File Sharing. On Windows, use the address when connecting. \\IP-address-Mac. enter your Mac user account information.
Will network settings reduce internet speed?
Local network settings themselves don't affect internet speed. However, actively transferring large files over a local network can overload the Wi-Fi channel, leading to a temporary drop in internet speed on all devices due to competition for airtime.