Creating a local area network (LAN) over a wireless connection is a standard procedure required for quickly transferring files between devices, sharing a printer, or playing online games without Ethernet cables. Unlike a wired connection, Wi-Fi allows you to connect desktop computers and laptops located in different rooms while maintaining high data transfer speeds sufficient for most office and multimedia tasks.
To successfully implement the project, you do not need complex server solutions or specialized equipment - a standard home one is enough Wi-Fi router and computers with working wireless adapters. Modern Windows operating systems have built-in tools that automatically detect neighboring devices if they are on the same network and have the correct security settings.
In this guide, we'll walk you through setting up a network profile, configuring sharing settings, and troubleshooting common errors users encounter when trying to "see" another computer. You'll learn which services should be running in the background and how to properly configure your firewall so it doesn't block legitimate traffic within your home system.
Equipment preparation and compatibility testing
Before you begin the software setup, you need to make sure the hardware is ready for use. All computers you plan to connect must be connected to the same wireless router. This means they must use the same access point (SSID) and, crucially, be in the same area. subnets.
Make sure all devices have up-to-date drivers for their Wi-Fi adapters. Outdated network card software often results in unstable connections or failure to correctly detect the network type (private or public), which is key to establishing access.
It's also worth making sure that Client Isolation (or AP Isolation) isn't enabled on your router. This option is often enabled by default on guest networks or in public areas for security reasons, and it completely prevents devices within the network from communicating with each other.
⚠️ Attention: If you're using a guest Wi-Fi network, you won't be able to connect computers to a local network. Switch all devices to your router's main network, as guest mode software isolates clients.
Setting up a network profile in Windows
By default, the Windows operating system treats new Wi-Fi connections as "Public" for security reasons. In this mode, the computer becomes invisible to other devices and discovery is blocked. To allow the connection, you must change the network profile to "Private."
To do this, go to the “Options” menu (can be accessed via Win + I), select the "Network & Internet" section and click the properties of your current Wi-Fi connection. In the window that opens, find the network profile switch and set it to "Private." This will allow your PC to be discovered by other devices within range of the router.
After changing the profile, the system will apply a new set of firewall rules allowing incoming connections for discovery services. If you have multiple computers, you must repeat this procedure on each one to ensure bidirectional visibility.
It's important to understand that changing the network profile is a fundamental step. Without it, even with a perfect Wi-Fi signal, computers will ignore each other's discovery packets. Network profile dictates security rules for each specific connection.
Enabling discovery and sharing services
After setting up your network profile, you need to enable features that control device visibility and resource sharing. Windows provides a centralized interface for managing these settings, called Network and Sharing Center, or more recently, Settings in Windows 10/11.
Open Control Panel, go to Network and Internet, then Network and Sharing Center. On the left, select Change advanced sharing settings. Here you'll see several profiles (Private, Guest, All networks). We're interested in the "Private (current profile)" section.
Enable the following options:
- 📡 Turn on network discovery - allows the computer to see other PCs and be visible itself.
- 💾 Enable file and printer sharing — allows other users to access shared resources.
- 🔐 Let Windows manage HomeGroup connections - optional, but useful for automation.
Next, scroll down to the "All Networks" section. It's crucial to find the "Password-protected sharing" option here. If you're on a trusted home network, it's best to disable this feature to avoid having to enter your username and password every time you connect. However, if security is your top priority, leave it enabled, but ensure that user accounts on all PCs have the same password.
Why can't computers see each other?
Computers may not be able to see each other due to third-party antivirus programs that have their own firewalls. Antivirus programs (such as ESET, Kaspersky, and Avast) often change the network type to "Public" or block SMB ports during installation. Check your antivirus's firewall settings and add your home network to the trusted list.
Sharing folders and setting access rights
Once the network settings are complete, you need to tell the system exactly what data will be available to other users. Simply having a folder on the disk isn't enough—it needs explicit network access permissions.
Select the folder you want to share, right-click it, and select "Properties." Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Advanced." Check the "Share this folder" box. In the "Permissions" field, you can configure who can do what with the files: read, modify, or delete them.
For ease of setup, you can add the "All" group and grant it full rights, but this is only permissible in a completely secure home network. In a corporate environment or if outsiders have access to the Wi-Fi, create a separate user with limited rights.
There's also a "Security" tab in the folder properties. Make sure the permissions for the "Everyone" group or a specific user are also present. It often happens that "Access" is set to "Access Permissions," but "Security" (NTFS Permissions) is set to "Deny," which blocks access.
☑️ Access setup checklist
The shared folder's name on the network may differ from the name on the drive. You can specify any convenient network name that will be displayed to other users when connecting.
Searching for computers and connecting to resources
Once the configuration is complete on all machines, the system should automatically detect network neighbors. Open File Explorer (Win + E) and select "Network" in the left pane. The names of all computers that have correctly configured their profiles and services should be displayed here.
If your computer doesn't show up automatically, you can try accessing it directly by IP address or name. To do this, click Win + R and enter the address in the format \\Computer_Name or \\192.168.1.X (where X is the address of the desired PC). You can find out the IP address using the command ipconfig in the command line.
The first time you connect, the system may ask for credentials. Enter the login and password for the user account on the computer whose folders you are connecting to. If you have disabled password protection, you should be logged in automatically.
Diagnosing and troubleshooting common problems
Even with careful configuration, problems can still arise. These are most often related to blocked service ports or name conflicts. Below is a table of the most common errors and solutions.
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Computers are not visible on the "Network" | The discovery service has stopped. | Start the service Function Discovery Resource Publication |
| Access Error 0x80070035 | Invalid name or SMB block | Check the PC name, enable SMB 1.0 (rare) or check the firewall |
| It asks for a password, although there is none. | Password protection is enabled | Disable in "Advanced sharing settings" |
| Low transmission speed | Weak Wi-Fi signal | Move closer to the router or use the 5 GHz band |
One common reason why computers become undiscoverable after a Windows update is that the Resource Publishing Service has stopped. Click Win + R, enter services.msc, find the service Function Discovery Resource Publication, set the startup type to "Automatic" and run it.
Problems may also be related to your antivirus software. Third-party firewalls often block the SMB protocol (port 445), which is used for file transfers. Try temporarily disabling your antivirus to check.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to combine computers if one is on Windows 10 and the other is on Windows 7?
Yes, this is possible, but it requires additional steps. Windows 10 disables the SMBv1 protocol by default, which is often used by older systems. However, enabling SMBv1 is unsafe. It's best to configure Windows 7 to use SMBv2/3 or ensure that the same encryption protocols are enabled on both computers.
Does the distance to the router affect the speed of the local network?
Absolutely. Since the local network operates via a Wi-Fi router, file transfer speeds between computers are limited by the wireless connection speed. If the signal is weak, file copy speeds can drop to 1-2 MB/s, even if the router's gigabit port allows for more.
Is internet required for a local network to function?
No, you don't need an internet connection. The local network runs within your hardware. Even if your ISP cuts off your internet connection, you can transfer files between computers, play online, or print to a network printer as long as your router is plugged in.
How do I find out the IP address of another computer on the network?
On the target computer, open a command prompt (cmd) and enter the command ipconfigFind the "IPv4 Address" line. It usually looks like 192.168.0.X or 192.168.1.X. This is the address you need to enter in File Explorer for a direct connection.
⚠️ Attention: Windows settings interfaces may vary slightly depending on the version (Home, Pro, Enterprise) and build number (21H2, 22H2, etc.). If you can't find the item, search for keywords in the system settings.