How to Connect Two Computers via Wi-Fi: A Complete Guide

Creating a local network between two computers without the need for extra wires is a common challenge for users who want to quickly transfer gigabytes of data or access shared resources. Connecting two computers via Wi-Fi allows you to create a fully functional network. local network (LAN), where devices will see each other as if they were connected by an Ethernet cable, but without the physical limitations of distance and the clutter of wires.

Unlike transferring files over the internet or cloud services, a direct local network connection provides maximum speed, limited only by the bandwidth of your router and wireless adapters. This is especially important when working with large media files, database backups, or when setting up a game server. The setup process requires careful attention to detail, as modern Windows security systems block external connections by default.

In this guide, we'll walk you through every step: from checking hardware compatibility to setting up access rights to specific folders. You'll learn how to set things up correctly. IP addresses, change the network profile, and forward the necessary ports to ensure a stable and secure connection. Follow the instructions step by step to avoid common mistakes.

Checking hardware compatibility and requirements

The first step before starting setup is to ensure your hardware and software are ready to create a local network. Both computers must be equipped with working Wi-Fi adapters, capable of supporting 802.11n, 802.11ac, or later standards. It's best if both devices are within range of the same wireless router.

The operating systems on both PCs must support SMB (Server Message Block) network protocols, which is required for all modern versions of Windows, starting with Windows 7. However, for stable operation, it is recommended to use the same OS versions, or at least versions from the same family, to avoid encryption protocol compatibility issues.

⚠️ Note: If one of your computers is using a public network profile, the blocking system may prevent other devices from being discovered. Make sure the network is marked as "Private" or "Home" on both computers.

It's also worth checking your network card drivers. Outdated adapter software can cause connection drops or slow data transfer rates. Go to Device Manager and make sure there are no warning signs for your network adapters.

Setting up a shared name for a workgroup and computers

In order for computers to be able to “see” each other in a network environment, they must be in the same working groupBy default, Windows uses the name WORKGROUP, and changing it is usually not necessary, but it is important to ensure that it matches on both devices. The computer names themselves must be unique, otherwise an addressing conflict will occur.

You can change these settings through the system properties menu. Right-click the "This PC" icon, select "Properties," and then go to Advanced System Settings. Here, in the "Computer Name" section, you can check the current settings and make changes if necessary.

After changing the workgroup name or the computer itself, the system will require a reboot. This is a critical step, as registry changes responsible for network identification only take effect after a full system shutdown and restart.

• 🖥️ Make sure the computer name is written in Latin characters and does not contain spaces or special characters.
• 🔗 Check that the Workgroup field on both PCs is set to the same value, for example, WORKGROUP.
• 🔄 After renaming, be sure to reboot both devices before continuing with setup.

Changing the network profile to private

Security is a priority for Microsoft, so when you first connect to a new Wi-Fi network, Windows assigns it the "Public" profile. In this mode, your computer is hidden from other devices, and file sharing is blocked. To connect PCs, you need to switch the profile to "Private."

You can do this through your network settings. Open the Start menu, go to Settings (the gear icon), then select Network & Internet. Under Status or Wi-Fi, click the properties of your current connection. You'll see a profile switcher here.

Select "Private." This will make your computer discoverable to other devices on the network and open the necessary ports for local data exchange. Without this step, further settings may not work.

Turn on network discovery and sharing

After changing the network profile, you need to enable the corresponding services in the advanced settings. Go to "Control Panel" -> "Network and Internet" -> "Network and Sharing Center." On the left, select "Change advanced sharing settings."

In the window that opens, make sure "Turn on network discovery" and "Turn on file and printer sharing" are enabled under "Private (current profile)." It's also recommended to enable automatic configuration of connected network devices.

At the bottom of the window, in the "All Networks" section, you can configure media streaming settings and password protection. If you're on a trusted home network, you can disable password protection for easier access, but this will reduce your security.

⚠️ Important: Disabling password protection allows any device within Wi-Fi range to access your shared folders without authorization. Use this option only on fully secured home networks.

Creating a shared folder and setting access rights

Now that the network infrastructure is ready, you need to create a resource that computers will share. Select the folder you want to share or create a new one. Right-click it and select "Properties."

Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Advanced." Check "Share this folder." Below, click "Permissions" to control what actions other users can perform.

In the list of groups, select "Everyone" (or a specific user) and select the desired permissions: "Full Control," "Modify," or "Read Only." For standard file transfers, modify and read permissions are sufficient.

• 📁 Create a separate folder for sharing to avoid sharing your entire drive.
• 🔐 In the Security tab, also add the "Everyone" user with read and execute permissions if the system blocks access.
• 💾 Make sure that the drive where the folder is located has free space for the received files.

What should I do if I get error 0x80070035 when accessing?

This error is often related to a disabled SMB 1.0 protocol or issues with the discovery service. Try enabling SMB 1.0 support in Windows Features or resetting your network settings using the netsh winsock reset command in an elevated Command Prompt.

Connecting to a shared resource by IP address

Sometimes computers don't appear in the Network list immediately due to list refresh delays. In this case, the only way to connect is to use direct input. IP addressesFirst, find out the IP address of the computer where the shared folder is located.

To do this, on the target computer, click Win + R, enter cmd and press Enter. In the black window, enter the command ipconfig and find the line "IPv4 address." Remember or write down these numbers; they will look something like 192.168.1.45.

C:\Users\User>ipconfig
Ethernet adapter Ethernet:
IPv4 address.........: 192.168.1.45
Subnet mask.........: 255.255.255.0
Default gateway: 192.168.1.1

Now go to the second computer. Click Win + R, enter two backslashes and the IP address of the first computer, for example: \\192.168.1.45Press Enter. If everything is configured correctly, a window with available shared folders will open.

Solving common connection problems

Even with careful configuration, situations may arise where computers cannot see each other. Often, the problem lies with antivirus software or firewall software, which block local connections, deeming them suspicious.

Check your Windows Firewall settings. Make sure "Network Discovery" is enabled for the private network. If you have a third-party antivirus installed (Kaspersky, ESET, Avast), try temporarily disabling its firewall to test.

Another common cause is a disabled Function Discovery Resource Publishing service. Click Win + R, enter services.msc, find this service in the list and make sure that it is running and the startup type is set to "Automatic".

⚠️ Note: Operating system interfaces and service names may vary slightly depending on the Windows version and installed updates. If you can't find a specific item, try searching for keywords in the Start menu.

It's also worth checking if Wi-Fi client isolation (AP Isolation) is enabled on your router. This feature specifically prevents devices within a wireless network from communicating with each other. Go to your router settings and ensure this option is disabled.

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

Most often, the problem lies in the network profile. If one PC considers the network public and the other private, they won't communicate. Also, make sure both devices are connected to the main network, not the router's guest network, which are often isolated.

Is internet required for a local network to function?

No, internet access is not required. The local network operates between devices directly through the router. However, if the router is not connected to the global network, it will still correctly distribute traffic between your computers.

What is the maximum transfer speed for Wi-Fi?

Speed ​​depends on the Wi-Fi standard (N, AC, AX) and distance. Under ideal conditions, speeds of up to 50-100 Mbps can be achieved on the 5 GHz frequency, which is comparable to a fast wired connection, but in reality, speeds are often lower due to interference.