Creating a local area network (LAN) between computers in the same apartment or house isn't just a convenience; it's a necessity for efficient file sharing without the need for external storage. When you network your home computers via WiFi, you can access shared resources like printers, media libraries, and document folders from anywhere in the house. This eliminates the hassle of fumbling with flash drives and allows you to centrally manage backups of important data.
Modern operating systems like Windows 10 and Windows 11 have significantly simplified this process, but numerous hidden security settings often become a barrier for beginners. Many users encounter a situation where the router distributes the internet, but computers are unable to see each other in the network environment. Understanding the basic principles of protocol operation and properly configuring security settings is key to successfully integrating devices into a unified ecosystem.
In this article, we'll cover every setup step: from checking the physical hardware to fine-tuning group policies. You'll learn how to avoid common mistakes and ensure stable data transfer speeds. Local area network — is the foundation of a modern digital home, and its proper organization will save you hours of time in the future.
Preparing equipment and checking basic parameters
Before beginning software configuration, you need to ensure the physical infrastructure is ready for operation. All computers you plan to connect must be connected to the same router. This is an axiom; violating this rule will make creating a local network impossible. If one laptop is connected to the main router and the other to a repeater in bridge mode or to a neighbor's WiFi, they will be on different subnets.
Make sure the network adapter is enabled on all devices and that the drivers are up-to-date. Visibility issues often arise because Windows installs a default driver that incorrectly handles discovery protocol broadcast packets. Check the connection status in Device Manager and ensure there are no exclamation marks next to the network controllers.
⚠️ Note: If you're using a guest WiFi network on your router, computers on it are isolated from each other by default. To create a local network, you'll need to switch your devices to the main network.
It's also worth checking that all computers are set to the same network type. Windows may classify your connection as "Public," which automatically blocks detection from other devices. Switching your profile to "Private" or "Home" is the first step. This removes basic firewall restrictions designed to protect you in public places.
Setting up a network profile and discovery in Windows
By default, the Windows operating system seeks to protect user security by hiding your computer from prying eyes when connecting to new networks. To change this behavior, you must manually tell the system that the current WiFi connection is trusted. Without this step, other computers simply won't appear in File Explorer, no matter how long you wait.
To change your network profile, go to the system settings. In Windows 10, this is done via Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi. Click the name of your current network and select the "Private" profile type. In Windows 11, the path may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same: find the properties of your active connection and change the network profile. This action will make your computer discoverable by other devices.
After changing your profile, you need to enable discovery features. Go to "Control Panel" → "Network and Sharing Center" → "Change advanced sharing settings." Here you'll need to look at the settings for the current profile (Private Network). Make sure the following options are enabled:
- 📡 Turn on network discovery.
- 💾 Enable file and printer sharing.
- 🔐 Allow Windows to manage HomeGroup connections (if available).
Be sure to save your changes by clicking the appropriate button at the bottom of the page. Sometimes a computer restart is required for all Discovery Services to start with the new settings. If you don't restart your computer, your changes may not take effect until the next time you log in.
It is important to understand that network profile Determines the firewall ruleset. By selecting "Private," you're trusting your environment, which is only acceptable within your home. Always leave your profile set to "Public" at a cafe or airport.
Creating a shared folder and setting access rights
Once the computers "see" each other, you need to determine what exactly they will share. Simply enabling sharing isn't enough—you need to create a folder and configure its permissions. This is a critical step, as incorrect permissions can either block your work or expose your data to everyone on the network.
Create a new folder in a convenient location, such as on a disk D:\ShareRight-click on it, select "Properties," and go to the "Sharing" tab. Click "Advanced" and check "Share this folder." Here you can also specify the resource name that the user will see.
However, the "Sharing" and "Security" tabs in Windows work independently, but in conjunction. Even if you've granted access, the NTFS file system may deny read access. Go to the "Security" tab and ensure that "Everyone" (or a specific user) with read and write permissions is listed in the groups. If "Everyone" isn't present, add it using "Edit" → "Advanced" → "Search."
☑️ Checking folder settings
There's an important caveat related to password protection. By default, Windows requires anyone connecting to a folder to enter the username and password of the computer account where the folder is located. This increases security, but makes life more complicated. You can disable password protection in the "All Networks" section of the sharing menu, but this will make the folder accessible to anyone who connects to your WiFi.
⚠️ Important: Disabling password protection is only allowed on a fully trusted home network. If neighbors or guests can connect to your WiFi, keep password protection enabled and create separate accounts.
For professional work, it's best to create a separate user with limited rights specifically for network access. This will allow you to monitor who accessed files and when using event logs.
Setting up a shared printer and peripherals
One of the most popular home network scenarios is sharing a single printer across multiple computers. Instead of connecting a USB cable to each laptop, you can share the printer connected to the main PC or use the network capabilities of the MFP itself.
If the printer is connected via USB to one of the computers, go to "Devices and Printers" on that computer. Right-click the printer, select "Printer properties" (not just properties), and go to the "Sharing" tab. Check the "Share this printer" box and give it a descriptive network name.
The printer should be automatically detected on other computers on the network via the Network Neighborhood. If this doesn't happen, use the "Add Printer" button in the Control Panel and select "The printer I want isn't listed." Then select "Select a shared printer by name" and enter the path in the following format: \\ComputerName\PrinterName.
| Parameter | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Resource name | Name visible on the web | Use Latin characters, no spaces |
| Driver | Software for device operation | Install on all connected PCs |
| Access | User rights | Print - All, Management - Admin |
| Host status | Operating mode of the host PC | The host computer must be turned on. |
It's worth noting that for a shared USB printer to work, the computer it's physically connected to must be turned on and not in sleep mode. This is a significant limitation that's often overlooked. If you need constant printing availability, consider purchasing a network printer or print server.
What should I do if the driver is not installed automatically?
If Windows reports a driver error when connecting to a network printer, download the full driver version for your OS version from the manufacturer's website. When adding the printer, select "Install driver from disk" and select the downloaded .inf file. This will resolve the compatibility issue between x64 and x86 architectures.
Access computers by IP address and network name
Sometimes automatic discovery (SMB Discovery protocol) doesn't work correctly, especially in mixed networks with computers running different versions of Windows (e.g., 7, 10, and 11). In such cases, the most reliable connection method is to directly enter the IP address.
Each device on a local network has a unique IP address, usually of the form 192.168.1.XTo find out your address, open the command prompt (press Win + R, enter cmd) and enter the command:
ipconfigFind the line "IPv4 Address." Write this address down. On another computer, open File Explorer and enter [IPv4 Address] in the address bar. \\192.168.1.X (substituting the desired IP address) and press Enter. If the security settings are correct, you will see the remote computer's shared folders. For convenience, you can map the network folder to a drive letter using the "Map Network Drive" menu.
The problem with dynamic IP addresses (DHCP) is that the router can change them after a reboot. To ensure a constant address, it's best to reserve an IP address for each computer in the router settings (LAN → DHCP Reservation) or enter a static IP address in the Windows network adapter properties, ensuring it's not within the range of addresses currently assigned.
Using IP addresses can also help diagnose problems. If a computer can't be pinged by name but works by IP, the problem lies with the DNS or NetBIOS service. If you can't ping even by IP, check your firewall and physical connection.
Troubleshooting common connection issues and errors
Even with careful configuration, errors can still occur. One of the most common is "Windows cannot access...." This is often due to the disabling of the SMB 1.0 service, which is required for older devices, or, conversely, to antivirus software blocking the newer SMB 2/3 protocols.
Check Windows services. Click Win + R, enter services.mscMake sure the following services are running and have the startup type set to Automatic:
- 🛠 Publishing function discovery resources.
- 🔍 SSDP Discovery.
- 🖥 Discovery Provider Host.
- 📡 Network Discoveries.
Another common issue is name conflicts. No two computers on a local network can have the same name. Check this in System Properties. Also, make sure all computers are in the same workgroup (by default). WORKGROUP). Changing the workgroup name requires a reboot.
⚠️ Note: Third-party antivirus programs (Kaspersky, ESET, Avast) often have their own network settings. If standard methods don't work, check the "Trusted Networks" settings in your antivirus interface.
If all else fails, try resetting your network settings. In Windows 10/11, you can do this via Settings → Network & Internet → Network Reset. This will delete all saved WiFi passwords and reinstall your network adapters, often fixing software glitches.
Questions and Answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to network computers running Windows and macOS?
Yes, this is possible. On a Mac, you need to enable "File Sharing" in System Preferences and select the SMB protocol. When connecting from Windows to a Mac (and vice versa), you may be prompted to enter your credentials. Make sure that the SMB v2/v3 protocol is enabled on both devices, as older versions may be disabled for security reasons.
Why is the folder visible, but the files are not copied (access error)?
Most likely, the NTFS permissions (under the "Security" tab) don't match the shared access permissions. Go to folder properties → Security → Edit → Add → "Everyone" (or the user name) and grant full permissions. The system often requires explicit confirmation to apply permissions to subfolders.
How to increase file transfer speed over WiFi?
Speed depends on the WiFi standard (AC, AX), channel width, and interference. For large files, it's better to use a cable (LAN), as WiFi shares the bandwidth among all clients. Also, make sure you're connected to the 5 GHz band, which is less crowded and faster than 2.4 GHz.
Is it safe to share folders?
Within a home network with a strong WiFi password, yes. However, always use complex passwords for Windows accounts. Never enable sharing with password protection disabled if guests or other people have access to your network.