Creating a local area network between two computers without the use of unnecessary wires is a task that may seem difficult only at first glance. In today's conditions, when wireless technologies Ethernet cables have become the standard, eliminating the need to run Ethernet cables throughout the entire apartment. This is especially important for owners of laptops or PCs located in different rooms, where running cables is impossible or unsightly.
Connecting devices into a single network opens up a wide range of possibilities for the user: from quickly transferring large files and folders to sharing printers and even playing online games. However, the operating system's default security settings Windows 10 or Windows 11 Device visibility is often blocked by default to protect your data from prying eyes in public places. Understanding how network profiles work is key to successful setup.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the setup process step by step, eliminating unnecessary theory and focusing on practical steps. You don't need to be a system administrator to complete these steps, but you will need to be attentive. We'll cover both basic connection and fine-tuning access rights to ensure your files remain secure and accessible to selected devices.
Checking the basic connection conditions
Before you begin tweaking your operating system settings, you need to make sure your network is physically accessible. Both computers must be connected to the same router. It doesn't matter whether you're using frequency range 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz is fine, as long as the devices are within the same subnet. If one computer is connected to a guest Wi-Fi network and the other to the main network, they won't be able to see each other.
It's also critical to check your network profile status. Windows automatically assigns new connections the "Public Network" profile, making your computer invisible to others. To enable local data exchange, you need to change this status to "Private Network."
- 📶 Make sure the Wi-Fi connection indicator is lit on both PCs and that they have internet access.
- 🔒 Make sure that the workgroup names on the computers match (by default this is
WORKGROUP). - 🆔 Remember or write down the names of both computers so as not to confuse them when setting up access.
Ignoring this step often leads to users spending hours searching for driver errors, even though the problem lies in simple network segregation. If you're using corporate Wi-Fi with client isolation, connecting computers directly will be impossible without network administrator privileges.
⚠️ Attention: Some routers have a feature called "AP Isolation." If enabled, devices connected via Wi-Fi won't see each other, even if they're on the same network. This option should be disabled in the router settings.
Setting up a network profile and discovery
The first step in software setup is to switch the network type. Operating system Windows Strictly separates firewall rules for public and private spaces. In public spaces (cafes, airports), the computer is hidden, while at home it should be accessible to trusted devices.
To change your profile, go to the Start menu and select Settings (the gear icon). Then follow the path Network and Internet → StatusIn the window that opens, find the properties of your current Wi-Fi connection and toggle the switch from "Public" to "Private." This must be done on both computers you plan to connect.
After changing your profile, you need to enable discovery features. Go to "Control Panel" using the search bar and select "Network and Sharing Center." On the left, click "Change advanced sharing settings." This will open a profiles window where you need to enable the following options:
- 🔍 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 "Save Changes" button at the bottom of the page. Without this step, the system will ignore all your connection attempts. It's also worth noting that in some builds Windows You may need to enable the Discovery service through the services menu if automatic discovery does not work.
Enabling shared access to folders and files
Simply connecting the computers isn't enough—you need to allow them to share data. By default, disk access is blocked. You can share a specific folder or an entire disk, but it's best to practice on a single directory first. This will allow you to understand the principles without risking damaging system files.
Select the folder you want to share. Right-click it and select "Properties." Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Advanced." Check "Share this folder." Below, in the "Permissions" section, you can fine-tune what other users can do: read-only files or also modify and delete them.
What should I do if the "Access" tab is missing?
If the "Access" tab isn't available in the folder properties, the Task Manager service may be disabled or system files may be corrupted. Try running the Command Prompt as administrator and running sfc /scannow to repair the system.
There's also a simpler, but less secure, way: disabling password protection. In the "Advanced sharing settings" menu, find the "All networks" section at the very bottom. There you'll find the "Password-protected sharing" option. If you select "Turn off password-protected sharing," anyone who connects to your Wi-Fi will be able to access your shared folders without entering a username and password.
- 🔐 For maximum security, leave password protection enabled.
- 🏠 On a home network without guests, you can disable the password for convenience.
- 📂 Always check which folders are shared.
⚠️ Attention: Disabling password protection in an apartment building with poor Wi-Fi security can lead to personal data leakage. Only use this method if you are confident in the strength of your wireless encryption (WPA2/WPA3).
Mapping accounts and passwords
One of the most common problems when connecting two PCs is an authorization error. Even if you've disabled password protection, the system may ask for credentials the first time you log in. This happens because the user accounts on the two computers are different. Computer A doesn't know who the "User" on Computer B is.
For perfect synchronization, create identical accounts with the same names and passwords on both computers. For example, create a user Admin with a password 12345 on both PCs. However, this isn't always convenient or secure. A more flexible option is to add the second computer's account to the trusted list.
When attempting to access the network folder and the password entry window appears, use the credentials of the account you're logged into on the remote computer (the one you're connecting to). The username and password must match those used to log into Windows on the target PC.
| Parameter | Computer 1 (Client) | Computer 2 (Server/Resource) |
|---|---|---|
| Username | User_Home | Admin_PC |
| Password | ######## | |
| IP address | 192.168.1.15 | 192.168.1.20 |
| Action | Enters Admin_PC | Accepting input |
If the remote computer account has no password (is blank), Windows may block access for security reasons. In this case, it is recommended to either set a password or change the security policy via gpedit.msc (available in Pro versions), allowing entry for empty passwords, although this reduces the overall level of system protection.
Search for a computer on the network and connect
After all the settings are set up, the moment of truth arrives: searching for the device. Open File Explorer and find "Network" in the left column. If you've done everything correctly, icons for both computers should appear there within a few seconds. If you see an error message or a blank window instead of names, try refreshing the page or restarting both devices.
An alternative and more reliable connection method is via IP address. This works even when name resolution services (NetBIOS) are failing. First, find out the IP address of the target computer. To do this, open a command prompt on it (press Win + R, enter cmd) and enter the command ipconfigFind the line "IPv4 address".
☑️ Connection check
Knowing the IP, for example, 192.168.1.25, on the second computer, click Win + R and enter this address in the format \\192.168.1.25Press Enter. If the settings are correct, a window will open displaying all shared folders on this computer. For convenience, you can right-click a folder and select "Map network drive" to display it as a separate drive in "My Computer."
It often happens that computers can see each other, but access is denied. In this case, check your antivirus. Third-party antivirus programs (Kaspersky, ESET, Avast) often have their own built-in firewalls that block the local network, considering it potentially dangerous. You should add your network to the trusted list in the antivirus interface.
Troubleshooting common connection errors
Even if you follow all the instructions, problems may still occur. One common issue is the error "Windows cannot access..." This is often due to disabled services. Click Win + R, enter services.msc and find the services related to SMB and discovery. They should be running and have the startup type set to Automatic.
It's also worth paying attention to the SMB 1.0 protocol. In newer versions of Windows, it's disabled by default due to vulnerabilities, but older hardware or specific settings may require it to be enabled. However, for connecting two modern PCs running Windows 10/11, it's better to use SMB 2.0 or 3.0, which are enabled by default.
- 🔄 Restart the Function Discovery Resource Publishing service.
- 🛡️ Check if your firewall is blocking private networks.
- 📶 Make sure your Wi-Fi adapter drivers are updated to the latest version.
In some cases, resetting network settings can help. Windows Settings has a "Network Reset" feature that reinstalls network adapters and returns them to factory settings. Use this as a last resort if other methods fail.
⚠️ Attention: Settings interfaces and menu item names may vary slightly depending on your Windows build version (Home, Pro, Enterprise) and installed updates. If you don't find an exact match, look for synonyms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to connect computers if one is connected via cable and the other via Wi-Fi?
Yes, this is possible. The main requirement is that both devices must be connected to the same router and be on the same subnet. The physical connection type (cable or wired) does not matter for the logical organization of the local network.
Why can't computers see each other via the "Network" but can access each other via IP?
This is a classic Function Discovery Resource Publication (FDIRP) issue. The naming protocol (NetBIOS) may not work correctly, but direct TCP/IP access (via IP address) remains functional. Use the IP address to connect; it's more reliable.
How to transfer a large file (over 100 GB) between computers?
A local network is the ideal solution. Transfer speed is limited only by the speed of your Wi-Fi router and adapters. Create a shared folder on one PC and copy the file there, or use an FTP/SFTP client to speed up and control the process.
Is it safe to keep sharing enabled all the time?
If you're on a home network with a strong Wi-Fi password and the "Private Network" profile, the risks are minimal. However, if you plan to connect to public Wi-Fi, be sure to switch the profile to "Public Network" or disable sharing in the adapter settings.