Creating a local network between several computers running an operating system Windows 10 Sharing is a basic task that allows you to share files without external storage, play online games, and use shared resources such as printers or scanners. Modern wireless technologies make this process extremely convenient, eliminating unnecessary cables and complex equipment connections. However, despite the apparent simplicity, many users encounter issues with device visibility or restricted access to folders.
The basis for building such infrastructure is Wi-Fi router, which acts as a central hub distributing traffic and IP addresses between connected clients. Proper configuration of security settings and the network profile within the operating system itself is key to success. If you plan to frequently transfer large amounts of data, connection stability will be critical, so it is recommended to use the standard Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) or newer.
In this guide, we'll walk you through every setup step, from checking the physical connection to fine-tuning access rights to shared resources. You'll learn how to change your network profile from public to private so the system stops blocking incoming connections, and how to properly share folders with colleagues or family members.
Checking the connection and setting up a network profile
The first step to successfully setting up local networking is ensuring all computers are physically connected to the same wireless network. Make sure all PCs are connected to the same router, either via Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi. If devices are on different subnets (for example, one is connected to a guest Wi-Fi network and the other to the main network), they won't be able to "see" each other without complex routing.
A critical point in Windows 10 is a network profile type. By default, the system often assigns new connections the "Public Network" status, which implies the highest level of protection: the computer becomes invisible to other devices, and public access is blocked. You must manually switch this setting to "Private Network" to enable discovery.
To change your profile, go to the Start menu, select "Settings" (the gear icon), and open "Network & Internet." In the left column, select "Status," then click the properties of your current connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). In the window that opens, under "Network Profile," select "Private." This will enable the necessary discovery services.
After changing the profile, the system will apply the new firewall rules. Your computer is now discoverable by other network members. If you don't do this, any further sharing settings may be useless, as Windows Firewall will block incoming connection requests.
Enabling discovery and sharing features
Once the network profile has been changed, you need to enable the corresponding services in the Network and Sharing Center. These settings determine whether your computer will broadcast its presence and allow external file connections. Ignoring this step is the most common reason why computers can't see each other even with the correct IP address.
Open the Control Panel (you can find it in the Start search), go to Network and Internet, then Network and Sharing Center. In the left menu, select Change advanced sharing settings. Here you'll see several profiles: Private, Guest or Public, and All Networks.
Expand the Private tab and make sure the following switches are enabled:
- 📡 Turn on network discovery (and check the box "Turn on automatic configuration of connected devices").
- 📂 Enable file and printer sharing.
- 🔒 Allow Windows to manage HomeGroup connections (if this option is present).
Next, go to the "All Networks" section at the bottom of the window. Here, it's important to configure media streaming settings and, if necessary, enable password-protected sharing. If you're in a trusted home environment, you can disable password protection for easier access, but in an office or apartment with strangers, you shouldn't do this. strongly not recommended.
☑️ Checking sharing settings
Be sure to click the "Save Changes" button at the bottom of the page, otherwise the new settings will not take effect. After doing so, the system may prompt you to confirm administrator privileges. Your computer is now open for local interaction within the specified security rules.
Setting up shared folders and resources
Once the network services are running, you can begin selecting the content you want to share. General access Windows 10 is flexible and allows you to share both individual folders and entire drives, although the latter is not recommended for security reasons. You can configure different access levels for different users.
To share a folder, right-click it and select "Properties." Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Advanced." Check the "Share this folder" box. Below, click "Permissions" to fine-tune who can do what with the files.
In the Permissions window, you can add specific users or the "Everyone" group. Three types of permissions can be set for each group:
- ✅ Full access: allows you to read, write, modify, and delete files.
- 📝 Modify: Allows reading, writing, and deleting, but does not allow changing permissions.
- 👁️ Read: The user can only open and copy files, but cannot edit them.
There's also a "Security" tab in the folder properties. This is where file system access rights are controlled. NTFS may override sharing settings. If a user has read permissions in "Access" but not in "Security," access will be denied. It's recommended to sync these settings.
Why is access denied even with the correct settings?
Often, the problem lies in permissions inheritance. If the folder is located within a system directory or another protected folder, permissions may be blocked by the parent object. In this case, in the "Security" tab, click "Advanced" and disable permissions inheritance by selecting "Copy current rules."
Once configured, the folder will be available to other network members via the network path.
Connecting a network printer and other devices
One of the most useful features of a local network is the ability to share a printer. Instead of connecting the printer to each computer with a cable or constantly switching USB cables, you can connect it to one PC and share it with others.
On the computer to which the printer is physically connected (the host computer), go to "Settings" → "Devices" → "Printers & Scanners." Select the desired device, click "Manage," then "Printer Properties." On the "Sharing" tab, check "Share this printer" and give it a meaningful network name.
On client computers (those that will be printing remotely), the connection process is different. Open File Explorer, and in the address bar, enter the host computer name separated by a double slash (e.g., \\Desktop-PC) and press Enter. You will see the shared printer. Right-click on it and select "Connect."
| Parameter | Host (print server) | Client (remote PC) |
|---|---|---|
| Action | Enable sharing in properties | Find a PC on the network and connect |
| Drivers | Already installed | Installed automatically or manually |
| Status | Must be turned on and online | Can work independently |
| Example of a name | Office-PC | \\Office-PC\HP_LaserJet |
| Addiction | No | Depends on host availability |
The system will automatically attempt to find and install the necessary drivers. If the drivers aren't included in the Windows database, you'll need an installation disc or download the software from the manufacturer's website. After successful installation, the printer will appear in the list of devices as a network printer.
Access a computer by IP address and device name
Sometimes automatic discovery doesn't work correctly, and computers don't appear in the "Network" list. In this case, direct access by IP address is the usual method. Each device on the local network has a unique IP address, which can be used for direct connection.
To find out the IP address of the target computer, go to it, open the command prompt (press Win + R, enter cmd and press Enter). In the black window, enter the command ipconfig and find the line "IPv4 address". It usually looks like this 192.168.1.X or 192.168.0.X.
Now, open File Explorer on your computer. In the address bar, enter the resulting URL, preceded by two backslashes, like this: \\192.168.1.55Press Enter. If the security settings are correct, you will immediately be taken to the root of the remote PC's shared resources.
For ease of use, you can create a shortcut for quick access. You can also enter a static IP address in your router or network card settings so that the address doesn't change after each router reboot. This is especially useful for maintaining constant access to a media server or network storage. NAS.
⚠️ Attention: Router and operating system interfaces are subject to update. The location of menu items or tab names (e.g., "Network" instead of "Local Area Network") may differ between different versions of Windows 10 or router firmware. Always consult the latest documentation from your equipment manufacturer if the default paths don't match.
Typical problems and solutions
Even with careful setup, glitches can still occur. The most common problem is that computers are connected to the network, but when attempting to log in, the system prompts for a login and password that doesn't work, or displays an access error. This is often due to accounts not being synchronized across different computers.
If the passwords don't match, try creating an identical account on both computers (the same username and password). An alternative, but less secure, option is to disable password protection in Advanced Sharing Options, as mentioned earlier. Disabling the Certificate Manager service can also help in some cases, but this requires caution.
Another common error is "Windows cannot access..." Check the Function Discovery Resource Publishing service. It should be running. To do this, click Win + R, enter services.msc, find the service in the list and make sure its startup type is Automatic and its status is Running.
- 🔥 Firewall: Temporarily disable your antivirus or firewall for diagnostics. If the network works again, add an exception for "File and Printer Sharing" in the security settings.
- 🔄 SMB 1.0 Protocol: Older devices (printers, NAS) may require enabling SMB 1.0 support in Windows components, although this reduces security.
- 📶 Wi-Fi Drivers: Outdated wireless adapter drivers can cause connection interruptions. Update them through Device Manager.
If all else fails, try resetting your network settings. In the network settings, there's a "Reset network" button that will reinstall your network adapters and restore factory settings. After restarting your PC, you'll need to re-enter your Wi-Fi password.
What if only one computer is visible?
Make sure the "Function Discovery Resource Publication Host" service is enabled on all computers. Without it, the computer will not be visible in the network list, even if IP access is enabled.
Questions and Answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to set up a network between Windows 10 and Windows 7 or 11?
Yes, this is possible. Windows 11 is fully compatible with Windows 10 network protocols. Windows 7 may experience issues due to differences in SMB protocol versions. On Windows 10/11, you may need to enable SMB 1.0 support (not recommended due to vulnerabilities) or properly configure security policies in the Local Group Policy Editor.
Why is my Wi-Fi file transfer speed slow?
Speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard (b/g/n/ac/ax), distance from the router, presence of walls, and interference from neighboring networks. For large files (movies, backups), it's better to use an Ethernet (LAN) cable, which provides stable speeds of up to 1 Gbps or higher, compared to the unstable wireless signal.
Is it safe to keep sharing enabled all the time?
If you're on a trusted home network with a strong Wi-Fi password (WPA2/WPA3 encryption), the risk is minimal. However, in public places (cafes, airports), always use the "Public Network" profile, which hides your PC. For additional security, use complex passwords for user accounts.
How do I remove a computer from the network if I no longer need it?
Simply change the network profile to "Public" on this computer or disable "Network Discovery." You can also delete saved credentials in "Credential Manager" on other PCs to prevent them from attempting to connect automatically.