Setting up a local network between a computer and laptop via a Wi-Fi router in Windows 10

Organizing file exchange between a desktop computer and a laptop within the same apartment or office has ceased to be a difficult task with the release of modern operating systems. local network (LAN) via a wireless router allows you to instantly transfer movies, documents, and photos without the need for external drives or limited-speed cloud services. This solution is especially useful for those who work with large amounts of data and want to access it from any device in the home.

The setup process in the operating system Windows 10 has undergone changes compared to previous versions, becoming more secure but also slightly more confusing for the untrained user. The main changes affect the device discovery protocol and network profile management. In this article, we'll detail every step required to ensure your devices "see" each other and begin fully communicating.

To successfully implement your plans, you will need a working Wi-Fi router, to which both devices are connected. It's important that both the laptop and desktop PC are on the same subnet, meaning they're connected to the same router. It doesn't matter whether you're using a wireless or cable connection; the key is having a single point of entry into the network.

Checking physical connection and device names

The first step before diving into software settings is to check basic connectivity. Make sure both computers are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If your desktop computer has an Ethernet port, you can connect it to the router via a cable while leaving the laptop connected to Wi-Fi—this won't cause any conflicts within the same local network.

Unique device names are crucial. If your computers have identical names, the system won't be able to distinguish between them, resulting in addressing conflicts. To check and change the name, right-click the "This PC" icon and select "Properties," then find the "Rename PC" button.

• 📡 Make sure both devices are connected to the same SSID (Wi-Fi network name).
• 💻 Make sure that computer names (Hostname) are unique and written in Latin characters.
• 🔌 When using a cable, make sure the indicators on the network card are on or blinking.
• 📶 The Wi-Fi signal must be stable, without constant connection interruptions.

After renaming, a system reboot is required. This is required for the changes to take effect. Device names must be written in Latin letters without spaces or special characters.to avoid problems with network protocol compatibility.

⚠️ Note: If you're using a guest Wi-Fi network (Guest Network) on your router, devices may be isolated from each other by the "AP Isolation" feature. In this case, data exchange will be impossible until you switch to the main network.

Network profile setup and discovery

Windows 10 treats new networks as public by default, blocking your computer from being visible to other users. To allow data sharing, you need to change the network profile to "Private." This tells the system you're in a secure environment, such as your home.

To do this, go to the Start menu and select the gear icon to open Settings. Then follow the path Network and Internet → StatusIn the center of the screen, you'll see the Properties of your current connection. Click the connection icon (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).

In the menu that opens, select the "Private" profile. The system will then modify the firewall rules to allow discovery of the device. Now you can proceed to fine-tune the sharing settings.

The next step is to enable network discovery services. Open Control Panel, go to Network and Sharing Center, and select Change advanced sharing settings. Here, you need to enable the following options for the current profile:

• 🔍 Enable network discovery.
• 📂 Enable file and printer sharing.
• 🔐 Allow Windows to manage HomeGroup connections (if available).

Don't forget to save your changes by clicking the corresponding button at the bottom of the page. Without this step, your computer will be hidden from other devices, even if the physical connection is working properly.

Configuring TCP/IP settings

In most home networks, the router automatically assigns IP addresses via DHCP, so manual configuration is not required. However, if automatic detection is not working correctly or devices are unable to see each other, you may need to check your static addresses or reset the settings.

To check your current IP address, open a command prompt by typing cmd in the search menu and run the command ipconfigFind the "IPv4 Address" line. The first three numbers of the address (e.g., 192.168.1) should match for both devices; only the last number may differ.

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns

These commands, entered sequentially from a command prompt with administrator privileges, will help renew the leased IP address and flush the DNS cache, which often resolves visibility issues.

If you decide to enter addresses manually, make sure they are within the range assigned by your router, otherwise you'll encounter IP address conflicts. Routers typically assign addresses in the .100 to .200 range, so it's best to assign static addresses outside this range (e.g., .10 or .20).

Advanced sharing settings

After the basic profile setup, you need to enable specific sharing features. Return to "Advanced Sharing Options." Under "All Networks" (at the bottom of the page), check "Password-protected sharing."

If you want to simplify access as much as possible and security isn't a priority (for example, on an isolated home network), you can disable password protection. This will allow you to connect to shared folders without entering your Windows account login and password.

It's also worth checking Windows services. Click Win + R, enter services.msc and locate the discovery-related services. Ensure that the Function Discovery Resource Publishing, Computer Networking, and SSDP Discovery services are started and running in automatic mode.

⚠️ Note: The sharing settings interface may vary slightly depending on your Windows 10 build (1903, 20H2, 21H2, etc.). If you can't find the option, try searching in system settings.

Expanding shared folders and drives

Now that the network is configured, you need to grant access to specific files. Select the folder you want to share, right-click it, and select "Properties." Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Advanced Settings."

Check the "Share this folder" box. Click "Permissions" below. Here you can fine-tune permissions: full access (read, write, modify) or read-only. For home use, granting full permissions to the "Everyone" group is often sufficient.

There's also a "Security" tab in the folder's properties. Make sure the group and user names you're granting access to (for example, "Everyone" or a specific system user) are listed, and that they have the appropriate permissions checked.

To access a shared folder from another computer, open "This PC" and in the address bar, enter two backslashes and the IP address or computer name of the folder's owner, for example: \\192.168.1.15 or \\Desktop-PCIf everything is configured correctly, you will see a list of available folders.

Diagnostics and troubleshooting

Even with careful setup, errors can still occur. Computers may not be able to see each other, or access may be blocked by a firewall. First, try running the ping command. Open a command prompt on one PC and enter ping [IP address of the second PC].

If you see the response "Timeout exceeded," there's either no physical connection or the connection is being blocked at the firewall level. Make sure File and Printer Sharing is allowed in the Windows Firewall settings for the private network.

What should I do if the ping works, but the folders are not visible?

This often indicates a problem with the discovery service or DNS cache. Try restarting the Workstation service or performing a network reset in Windows Settings (Network & Internet -> Status -> Network reset).

The problem may also lie with your Wi-Fi adapter drivers. Outdated drivers may not work correctly with new encryption or power saving protocols. Update your drivers through Device Manager or the adapter manufacturer's website.

If all else fails, temporarily disable third-party antivirus software. They often have their own built-in firewalls that block local connections, deeming them suspicious activity.

Why can't computers see each other even though they have the same Wi-Fi?

The most common cause is the "Public" network profile, which hides the PC. Another cause is different subnets (one device is connected to guest Wi-Fi, the other to the main Wi-Fi). A third cause is ports being blocked by an antivirus program.

How to transfer files without network settings?

You can use cloud storage (Google Drive, Yandex.Disk), instant messengers (Telegram Desktop), or create a Wi-Fi hotspot on one of the devices, but the speed and convenience will be lower than with a configured LAN.

Is internet required for a local network to function?

No, internet access is not required. A local network works between devices directly through the router, even without a connection to the global network. The main thing is that the router is turned on and assigning IP addresses.