How to set up a network between Windows 10 computers using a Wi-Fi router

Organizing a local network between multiple devices is the foundation for convenient work in a modern home or office. Windows 10 While it offers powerful tools for sharing files and peripherals, standard security settings often block these features by default. Users encounter situations where the router distributes internet, but computers "don't see" each other in the network environment.

This problem isn't solved by magic, but by properly configuring sharing settings and network profiles. You'll need to change several key settings in Control panels And Windows settingsto transform disparate PCs into a unified ecosystem. The process doesn't require extensive programming knowledge, but precision in following the steps is essential.

In this guide we will go through each step of creating a local network through Wi-Fi routerWe'll cover setting up profiles, managing access rights, and troubleshooting common connection errors. A critical point is to set all computers to a single network type of "Private", without which opening ports for local traffic is impossible.

Checking physical availability and naming of devices

Before diving into software settings, you need to ensure that the basic infrastructure is working correctly. All computers you plan to connect must be connected to the same router, regardless of whether you're using a wireless connection. Wi-Fi or cable Ethernet, the main thing is to be in the same subnet.

Each device on the network is assigned a unique name by which other computers will identify it. If names are duplicated or contain invalid characters, conflicts will occur. It is recommended to use Latin characters and avoid spaces or special characters in the PC name.

⚠️ Attention: Changing a computer's name requires a system reboot. Plan ahead to avoid interrupting important processes on other devices.

To check your current name and workgroup, follow these steps:

• 🖥️ Right-click on “This PC” and select “Properties.”
• 🔍 Find the "Device Name" and "Name Options" sections.
• ✏️ If necessary, click "Rename this PC" and enter a unique name.

Make sure the workgroup name is the same on all computers. By default, in Windows 10 this is WORKGROUPChanging this value to a custom name only makes sense in corporate domain networks; for home use, it's better to leave the default.

Setting up a network profile and discovery

Windows 10 classifies networks as "Public" and "Private." In "Public" mode, the system minimizes device visibility to protect against threats in cafes or airports. For a home network via a router, the "Private" profile must be activated.

Switching profiles opens ports for the SMB protocol and discovery service. Without this step, even with proper sharing settings, computers will remain "invisible" to each other. This is the first and most important hurdle to overcome.

To change the network type, go to the menu Start → Settings → Network & Internet → StatusClick "Properties" for your connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). In the window that opens, select the "Private" profile.

Next, you need to enable network discovery. This is done through the advanced sharing options:

• 📂 Open Control Panel and go to Network and Sharing Center.
• ⚙️ On the left, select "Change advanced sharing settings."
• ✅ Enable the "Turn on network discovery" and "Turn on file and printer sharing" options.

⚠️ Attention: The settings interface may vary slightly depending on your Windows 10 build version (Home, Pro, Enterprise). If you can't find the item, try searching for it in Settings.

Configuration of shared folders and resources

Once the computers have "seen" each other, you need to determine what data they will exchange. Simply enabling the sharing feature isn't enough—you need to explicitly specify the folders accessible to other network users.

There are two main sharing methods: quick setup via the "Sharing" menu and detailed settings via the "Access" tab in the folder properties. The second method provides more flexible control over user permissions.

To create a shared folder, follow these steps:

• 📁 Create a new folder or select an existing one that you want to share.
• 🖱️ Right-click, select "Properties" and go to the "Sharing" tab.
• 👥 Click the "Share..." button and add the user "Everyone" with the required permissions (read or read and write).

If you need access to the entire drive or a complex folder structure, it's easier to use the advanced settings. In the same properties window, go to "Advanced Settings," check the "Share" box, and click "Permissions."

Remember that access rights are cumulative. If the user doesn't have read permissions in the NTFS security settings, even an open shared folder will be inaccessible. You can check permissions on the "Security" tab in the folder properties.

Managing passwords and accounts

By default, Windows 10 requires password protection to access shared resources. This means that when attempting to connect to another computer, the system will prompt you for the username and password of the remote computer's user.

This is inconvenient if you want to set up a network for quick access without constant authorization requests. However, disabling password protection reduces security, especially if there are guest devices on the network.

To disable the password request on your home network:

1. Go back to "Advanced sharing options."
2. Expand the "All Networks" section.
3. Select "Turn off password-protected sharing."
4. Save the changes.

If you leave protection enabled, make sure that identical accounts with the same passwords are created on all computers. For example, user Admin with a password 12345 PC-1 must have the same login/password pair as PC-2.

What to do if the passwords are different?

You can create a new local user on each PC with the same network access details without changing the main login password.

It's also worth paying attention to your security policy. Some versions of Windows may restrict blank passwords. If the user doesn't have a password set, network login may be blocked by the security system.

Accessing a network printer

One of the most useful features of a local network is the ability to use a single printer to print documents from all computers. This eliminates the need to switch cables or use cloud services.

The printer can be connected directly to the router (if it has a USB port and printing support) or connected to one of the computers, which will act as a print server. The latter option is more common in home settings.

Algorithm for setting up a network printer:

• 🖨️ Make sure the printer is installed and working on the host computer.
• ⚙️ In Settings → Devices → Printers & Scanners, select your printer.
• 🔗 Click "Manage" and select "Printer properties".
• ✅ On the "Sharing" tab, check the "Share this printer" box.

On client computers, the printer is usually found automatically via the Network Neighborhood. If this doesn't happen, use the "Add Printer" button and select "The printer I want isn't listed," then search for it by name or IP address.

Diagnosing and resolving visibility problems

Even with the correct settings, situations sometimes arise where computers can't see each other. Often, the problem lies in Windows services that are stopped for some reason, or in firewall settings.

First of all, it’s worth checking the services responsible for detection. Click Win + R, enter services.msc and find services related to Function Discovery And SSDPThey must be running and have the startup type set to Automatic.

⚠️ Attention: Third-party antivirus programs (Kaspersky, ESET, Avast) often have their own built-in firewalls that block local networks, ignoring Windows settings. Check your network settings in your antivirus interface.

It's also helpful to reset network settings via the command line. Launch Terminal as administrator and run the TCP/IP stack reset command.

netsh int ip reset
netsh winsock reset
ipconfig /flushdns

After running the commands, be sure to restart your computer. This will clear the DNS cache and clear any network protocol errors that may have accumulated over time.

Access by IP address and create shortcuts

Sometimes automatic discovery is unstable, and computer names aren't displayed in Network Neighborhood. In these cases, the most reliable access method is using the IP address.

The IP address is static (if it's assigned to the router) or changes infrequently, making this method more stable. You can find out the IP address of the target computer using the command ipconfig in the command line.

For quick access, create a shortcut on your desktop:

1. Right-click on the desktop → New → Shortcut.
2. In the location field, enter the address in the format: \\192.168.1.55 (replace with real IP).
3. Give the shortcut a descriptive name, such as "Office Files."

You can also map a network folder as a separate drive. In File Explorer, click "This PC" → "Computer" → "Map network drive." Select the drive letter and enter the path to the shared folder. This will allow you to work with remote files as if they were local.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Why can computers see each other, but folders won't open?

The issue is most likely related to NTFS permissions or an antivirus blocking the folder. Check the "Security" tab in the folder properties and ensure that "Everyone" or a specific user has read access. Also, temporarily disable your firewall to test.

Is it possible to set up a network between Windows 10 and older versions (Windows 7)?

Yes, this is possible, but Windows 10 disables the SMBv1 protocol by default, which is often used on older systems. Enabling it is not recommended due to security vulnerabilities. It's better to update the SMB settings on older PCs or use an FTP server for sharing.

How do I find the IP address of my router and other devices?

The router's IP address (gateway) is usually found on a sticker on the bottom of the device (often 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1). You can find out the IP addresses of other PCs by opening the command prompt (cmd) and entering the command ipconfig.

Is it safe to leave public access open all the time?

If you have a "Private" network profile configured and a strong password for logging into Windows, or if password protection is disabled only for trusted devices on the local network, the risks are minimal. However, in public places (cafes, hotels), always select the "Public" profile.