Creating a local network between multiple computers is one of the basic tasks for efficient file management in a home or small office. Connecting laptops allows you to instantly share large documents, play online games, or display multimedia on other devices without the need for external drives. Windows 10 This process has become more standardized, although it still requires careful consideration of security settings.
To implement the connection, you will not need to lay additional cables if all devices are connected to one router. Modern Wi-Fi routers Provide sufficient speed for comfortable data transfer, comparable to a wired Fast Ethernet connection. The key is to properly configure network discovery and sharing settings to ensure the system doesn't block incoming connections.
In this article, we'll cover every setup step, from checking the physical connection to granting access to specific directories. You'll learn how to diagnose common errors when computers don't "see" each other, and you'll be able to set up a fully functional home network in 15-20 minutes. This knowledge will free you from the need to constantly transfer files via flash drives or cloud storage.
Preparing equipment and checking connections
The first step is to ensure physical connectivity between the devices. All laptops you plan to connect must be connected to the same wireless network. Wi-FiIf one laptop is connected to the router via cable and the others via wireless, this is also acceptable, as long as one router is the controlling device.
Make sure the network adapter is enabled on all devices and the drivers are working correctly. Windows 10 may sometimes classify a new connection as "Public," which automatically hides your computer from other devices for security reasons. You'll need to change the network profile to "Private" to allow discovery.
⚠️ Warning: If you have a third-party antivirus or firewall installed, it may block local connections even if Windows is configured correctly. Temporarily disable network protection to test or add your home network to the list of trusted zones.
Make sure all devices are assigned unique names. If two laptops on the network have the same name (for example, the standard DESKTOP-USER), a conflict will arise, and one of them will become unavailable. You can rename the PC through the system settings.
☑️ Check before setting up the network
Configuring network discovery settings
After verifying the connection, you need to configure your computer's visibility on the network. Windows 10 hides your device by default if the network profile is set to "Public." To change this, go to the Start menu, select "Settings" (the gear icon), and open "Network & Internet."
Select your Wi-Fi adapter from the list of available connections. Click on the name of the active network to view its properties. In the "Network Profile" section, switch the radio button from "Public" to "Private." This will make your computer visible to other devices and open ports for local data exchange.
Next, you need to configure the sharing settings in more detail. Open the Control Panel, go to Network and Sharing Center, and select Change advanced sharing settings. Here, you need to enable the following options for the current profile:
- 📡 Enable network discovery (automatic configuration of connected devices).
- 💾 Enable file and printer sharing.
- 🔐 Allow Windows to manage HomeGroup connections (if applicable to your version).
At the bottom of the settings window, find the "All Networks" section. We recommend enabling sharing here so that anyone can read and write files to shared folders. You should also disable password-protected access if you trust all devices on your home network—this will prevent you from constantly being prompted for credentials when logging in.
Why can't Windows see other computers?
A common cause is the "Function Discovery Resource Publication" service. It may be disabled in the system. Press Win+R, enter services.msc, find this service, set the startup type to "Automatic," and then start it. A computer restart is required afterward.
Creating a shared folder and setting access rights
Simply enabling discovery isn't enough—you need to tell the system exactly which resources you're willing to share. Select the folder you want to make available to other laptops. Right-click it and select "Properties," then go to the "Sharing" tab.
Click the "Advanced Settings" button. Check the "Share this folder" box. In the "Share Name" field, you can leave the default name or specify a more descriptive name that will be displayed in Network Neighborhood. Below you will see the "Permissions" button, which allows you to fine-tune permissions.
In the permissions window, you can select the Everyone group and define the access level:
- 📖 Full access: Users will be able to create, modify, and delete files in the folder.
- ✏️ Change: Similar to full access, but with some restrictions on system files.
- 👁 Read: Users will only be able to open and copy files, but will not be able to delete or edit them.
It's also important to check the "Security" tab in the folder's properties. Make sure "Everyone" or a specific user is listed in the groups and users list, and that they have the appropriate permissions (usually "Modify" or "Full Control"). If there are no permissions in the security tab, the system may block access even if the "Sharing" tab is clear.
Connecting to a network resource by IP address
Sometimes the automatic display of computers in the "Network" section is delayed or doesn't work at all due to the specifics of the SMB protocol. In this case, the most reliable method is a direct connection via IP address. First, you need to find the IP address of the computer hosting the shared folder.
On the target laptop, click Win + R, enter cmd and press Enter. In the black command prompt window, type the command ipconfig and find the line "IPv4 address". It usually looks like this 192.168.1.X or 192.168.0.X. Remember these numbers.
Now switch to the other laptop. Open File Explorer (My Computer). In the address bar at the top, where the path to the current folder is shown, enter two backslashes and the IP address of the first computer. The format should be:
\\192.168.1.55After pressing Enter, the system will attempt to connect to the specified host. If everything is configured correctly, you will see a list of shared folders. For convenience, you can right-click the desired folder and select "Map network drive," assigning it a drive letter (e.g., Z:). The folder will then appear as a regular local drive in "My Computer."
Diagnosing problems and troubleshooting errors
Despite the simplicity of setup, users often encounter a situation where computers cannot see each other. One common cause is a disabled SMB 1.0 service, which is required for compatibility with older devices but is disabled by default in Windows 10 for security reasons.
If you need to connect a very old device or are encountering protocol errors, check Windows features. Open Control Panel → Programs and Features → Turn Windows features on or off. Find "SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support" in the list and make sure both the client and server are enabled.
Problems can also arise due to differences in Windows versions or security updates. Below is a table of common errors and solutions:
| Error / Symptom | Possible cause | Solution method |
|---|---|---|
| Error code 0x80070035 | The network path was not found. | Check the PC name, enable the SMB 1.0 service |
| Request for login and password | Password protection is enabled | Disable it in the Network and Sharing Center or enter the account details of the PC owner. |
| Only your PC is visible | Network profile "Public" | Change the profile to "Private" in the Wi-Fi settings |
| No access, not enough rights | NTFS permission error | Add the "Everyone" user to the "Security" tab of the folder |
Another important aspect is your wireless adapter drivers. Outdated drivers may not correctly process broadcast packets required for discovery. Visit your laptop or adapter manufacturer's website and download the latest software for your model. Wi-Fi module.
⚠️ Note: Windows 10 settings interfaces may vary slightly depending on the build version (21H2, 22H2, etc.). If you don't see what you're looking for, try searching in the Settings menu or consult Microsoft Help for your specific OS version.
Network speed optimization and security
After successful setup, it's time to consider performance and data security. File transfer speeds over Wi-Fi directly depend on the wireless standard (802.11n, ac, ax) and channel congestion. For working with large files (4K video, disk images), it's recommended to use the 5 GHz band, which is less noisy.
If you live in an apartment building, multiple neighboring networks may interfere. Use Wi-Fi analysis utilities (for example, WiFi Analyzer) to determine the least congested channel and switch the router to it via the web interface. This can significantly improve connection stability.
In terms of security, remember that open shared folders on a network are a security risk. Always use strong passwords for Windows user accounts. If your laptop connects to Wi-Fi at a cafe or office, the system should automatically switch the network profile to "Public," hiding your files from prying eyes.
Regularly check the list of connected devices on your router. If you notice an unknown device on your local network, change your Wi-Fi password immediately. Your local network provides access to all resources, so its perimeter must be securely protected.
Is it possible to connect laptops without a router?
Yes, you can create a direct computer-to-computer (Ad-hoc) connection or use the Mobile Hotspot feature in Windows 10, where one laptop distributes Wi-Fi and the other connects to it. However, the speed and stability of this connection will be lower than using a full-fledged router.
Do you need a router to create a local network between two laptops?
A router isn't strictly required, but it's highly recommended. You can create a direct wireless connection (Ad-hoc), with one laptop acting as an access point. However, in Windows 10, this feature is hidden and unreliable. It's easier and more reliable to use even the most basic Wi-Fi router.
Why am I asked for a password when I access a shared folder?
This is the "Password-protected sharing" security mechanism at work. To remove the prompt, you need to disable this option in the "All Networks" section of the "Network and Sharing Center." Alternatively, you need to enter the username and password of the user on the computer where the folder is located.
What is the maximum speed on a local network via Wi-Fi?
Speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard. For 802.11n (2.4 GHz), the actual speed will be 20-40 Mbps. For 802.11ac (5 GHz), you can achieve 50-100 Mbps and higher. This is significantly faster than USB 2.0, but slower than a high-quality Ethernet cable.
How to hide a folder from others while keeping it accessible?
Add a dollar sign $ to the end of the shared folder name (for example, Files$). It will not appear in the general list when traversing the network, but will be accessible via a direct path. \\IP address\Files$ for those who know the name.