Creating a local connection between two computers is often necessary for quickly transferring large files, collaborating, or accessing shared resources like printers. Unlike transferring data via flash drives or cloud services, a direct connection via local network (LAN) provides stable speeds and is not subject to internet service provider (ISP) limits. Modern operating systems, such as Windows 10 and 11, have significantly simplified this process, making it accessible even to inexperienced users.
The key to successful pairing is a working Wi-Fi router connected to both devices. It's important to understand that the computers can be located quite far apart, but the key is that they "see" the same wireless access point. In this article, we'll cover all the setup details, from checking drivers to sharing folders.
Before attempting complex registry or command line manipulation, it's worth making sure the basic infrastructure is configured correctly. If you can access the router's web interface from both devices, the physical connection is functioning properly. All that remains is to configure the operating system software to enable network discovery.
Checking requirements and preparing equipment
The first step is to analyze the current state of your wireless network. Both computers must be connected to the same router, regardless of whether they're using Wi-Fi or a cable connection. If one device is on a cable and the other is on a wireless network, they'll still be on the same network. local network (LAN), if the router is not configured to isolate clients.
Make sure both computers have up-to-date drivers for their network adapters. Outdated software can cause connection instability or prevent the computer from seeing other devices in the list of available devices. You can check this using device Manager in the "Network adapters" section.
It's also critical that both PCs have the same or compatible network profiles. Windows automatically assigns the network type upon initial connection, and for proper data exchange, both computers must be in the "Private Network" profile. In other locations, the system defaults to the "Public" profile, which blocks device visibility to protect against hackers.
- 📶 Check that both PCs are connected to the same SSID (Wi-Fi network name).
- 🔌 Make sure the network activity indicator is on on both devices.
- 🛡️ Temporarily disable third-party antivirus software if it is blocking the local connection.
Sometimes users encounter a situation where the router distributes addresses in different subnets due to guest access settings. Make sure you are not connected to the guest network on any of your devices, as it is often isolated from the main network.
Setting up network type and discovery in Windows
The most important step, without which further actions are pointless, is changing the network profile. If Windows considers your home network "Public," it will hide your computer from other devices. To change this, go to Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi and click on your network name. Here you need to select the "Private" radio button.
After changing your profile, you need to activate the detection features. Go to Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settingsThis opens a menu where key visibility settings are stored.
In the "Private (Current Profile)" section, enable network discovery and file and printer sharing. It's also recommended to enable automatic installation of network devices so the system automatically finds drivers for connected devices.
☑️ Network profile setup
⚠️ Attention: Do not enable these settings if you are in a public place (cafe, airport), as this will make your files visible to strangers.
After making changes, be sure to click "Save Changes." The system may require a reboot or network reconnection for the new security rules to apply. If you're using Windows 11, the interface may look slightly different, but the logic remains the same: a private profile allows access, while a public profile restricts it.
Creating a local network and assigning names
To distinguish between computers, each requires a unique name on the network. If both devices have the same name (for example, "User-PC"), a conflict will occur and connection will be impossible. You can change the name through Settings → System → About, the "Rename this PC" button.
Use Latin characters for naming to avoid encoding issues when displayed on different devices. It is a good practice to use prefixes that indicate the owner or location, for example, Office-PC And Home-LaptopThis will make navigation easier as more devices become available online.
Workgroup is another setting that should be identical on all computers. By default, this value is set to WORKGROUPChanging it to something else is usually unnecessary unless you have specific corporate requirements. You can check this setting in the same "About" window by clicking the "Advanced system settings" link.
Why is a working group needed?
A workgroup is a logical grouping of computers on a local network for sharing resources. On home networks, all PCs must have the same workgroup name to be visible to each other in the network environment. In corporate networks, domains are often used instead of workgroups.
After renaming the computers and checking the workgroup, the system will prompt you to reboot. This is a mandatory step, as network services only update their registrations upon startup. Skipping this step may prevent the changes from taking effect immediately.
Setting up shared access to folders and files
Once the infrastructure is ready, you can move on to resource sharing. Select the folder you want to make available to the second computer. Right-click it and select Properties → Access and click the "Share" button.
In the window that opens, select a user (e.g., "Everyone" or a specific account name) from the drop-down list and click "Add." Then, set the permission level: "Read" will only allow viewing files, while "Read and Write" will allow editing and deleting the folder's contents from another computer.
You can also share the entire Documents folder or other system storage using the Sharing tab in the folder's properties. This is convenient if you plan to regularly exchange large amounts of data between your work and personal laptops.
If you want to use a simplified password-free scheme (which is less secure but more convenient for a home network), find the "All Networks" section in the advanced sharing settings and select "Turn off password-protected sharing." This will allow you to connect to resources without entering your account login and password.
Connect via IP address and search for devices
Sometimes automatic discovery fails, and computers don't see each other in the "Network" list. In this case, the most reliable method is a direct connection via IP address. First, you need to 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 ipconfig.
Find the line "IPv4 address". It usually looks like this: 192.168.1.XX or 192.168.0.XXWrite down these numbers. Now, on the first computer, open File Explorer and enter two backslashes and the IP address in the address bar at the top, like this: \\192.168.1.45 and press Enter.
If all settings are correct, a window will open with a list of shared folders on the remote computer. For convenience, you can right-click the folder that appears and select "Map network drive" to have the system remember the path and assign it a drive letter (e.g., Z:).
It's important to keep in mind that IP addresses assigned by a router via DHCP may change after a reboot. If you need a permanent address, you can assign it statically in the network adapter settings or reserve it in the router settings by binding it to the MAC address.
Troubleshooting errors and access issues
Even with proper configuration, errors such as "No access," "Incorrect username or password," or simply a blank network window may still appear. One of the most common causes is that the "Computer Browser" or "Discovery" service isn't running. Check this via Win + R → services.msc.
Find services related to Network Discovery, Function Discovery Resource Publication And SSDP DiscoveryMake sure they're running and the startup type is set to "Automatic." Without them, Windows won't advertise its presence on the network to other devices.
Another common issue is firewall blocking. While Windows usually creates rules automatically when sharing is enabled, third-party antivirus programs (Kaspersky, ESET, Avast) may block local connections, considering them suspicious. Try temporarily disabling the firewall for diagnostic purposes.
| Error | Probable cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| 0x80070035 (The network path was not found) | Invalid PC name or SMB service is disabled | Check the name, enable SMB 1.0 in Windows Features |
| Username required | Password protection is enabled | Enter the login/password for the remote PC account |
| Computers can't see each other. | Different subnets or the "Public" profile | Change your profile to "Private" and check your IP addresses. |
| Access denied | Invalid permissions in the Security tab | Add the user "Everyone" with read permissions to the folder properties |
⚠️ Attention: Operating system and router interfaces may be updated. If you can't find the menu item, search for it in Windows settings or consult your router manufacturer's documentation.
If all else fails, try creating a new HomeGroup (on older versions of Windows) or simply rebooting the router. Sometimes the router's ARP table cache needs to be cleared to properly distribute traffic between devices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to connect computers into a network if one is running Windows and the other is running macOS?
Yes, it's possible. On a Mac, go to System Preferences → Sharing and enable File Sharing. Then add folders and configure user permissions. To connect from Windows, use the Mac's IP address in the following format: IP address.
Does Wi-Fi speed affect file transfer speed between computers?
Absolutely. File copying speed is limited by the speed of the slowest link in the chain. If your router supports the standard Wi-Fi 5 (AC), but the laptop only has Wi-Fi 4 (N), the transfer will run at the laptop's maximum speed. For larger files, it's better to use a cable or Wi-Fi 6.
Is it safe to keep sharing enabled all the time?
If you're on a home network with a strong Wi-Fi password and a complex Windows account password, the risk is minimal. However, if you frequently connect to public networks, it's best to disable Network Discovery or switch your network profile to Public.
Why is my computer visible on the network, but folders won't open?
The issue is most likely related to access rights to a specific folder. Even if the computer is visible, there may be restrictions within it. Check the "Security" tab in the folder's properties and ensure that the user or "Everyone" group has at least read permissions.