In the era of the widespread use of wireless technologies, the need to lug around flash drives or external hard drives is disappearing. Local area networkBuilt on your router, this solution allows you to instantly share gigabytes of data between devices. This is not only convenient but also a significant time saver, especially when transferring photo archives or large video files.
There are several proven methods to establish data exchange between Windows 10 and newer versions of the operating system. We'll cover both built-in system tools and third-party utilities, which are often faster and easier to configure for the average user. The choice of a specific method depends on your skills and the frequency with which you perform such operations.
The key to successful transfer is that both devices must be on the same network. It doesn't matter whether they're connected via cable or WiFi, as long as the IP addresses are assigned by the same router. In this guide, we'll cover all the setup details so you can forget about wires and inconveniences.
Preparing equipment and checking the network
Before you begin setup, you need to make sure that your equipment is ready to work on the local network. Router must be turned on and properly distributing internet or simply forming a local network. Computers and laptops must be connected to the same access point, whether it's a home WiFi or an office network.
Check your device visibility. Open File Explorer and go to the "Network" section. If you see your computer and other devices listed, a basic connection is established. If the system reports that network discovery is disabled, you'll need to change your sharing settings.
⚠️ Please note: On public networks (cafes, airports), file sharing may be blocked by the network administrator or firewall for security reasons.
It's also important to pay attention to the network type assigned by Windows. For file sharing to work correctly, the network profile must be set to "Private." If it's set to "Public," the system will hide your PC from other devices.
Setting up sharing in Windows
The first step is to enable discovery. Go to Control Panel, select Network and Sharing Center, and click Change advanced sharing settings. Here, you need to enable network discovery and file sharing for the current network profile.
Next, you need to disable password protection if you want to simplify access without constantly entering your username and password. Find "All Networks" at the bottom of the list and select "Turn off password-protected sharing." This will allow devices to connect automatically.
After making changes, be sure to click the "Save Changes" button. The system will apply the new firewall rules and open the necessary ports for the SMB protocol.
☑️ Check network settings
Don't forget that Windows Firewall may block connections even with the correct settings. If devices can't see each other, check your incoming connection rules and ensure permissions are granted for the private network.
Creating and sharing a shared folder
Now let's create a location where the files will be stored for transfer. Select any folder on your disk or create a new one, for example, on your desktop, and name it "Share." Right-click on it and select "Properties."
Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Advanced." Check "Share this folder." In the "Permissions" field, add the "Everyone" group and grant it full permissions (read, write, and modify) so that other PCs can not only download but also upload files.
| Action | Where is it located? | Necessary rights |
|---|---|---|
| Open properties | Right-click on the folder → Properties | Administrator |
| Access tab | Top window menu | - |
| Advanced settings | Button in the center of the tab | Administrator |
| Permissions | Button in the settings window | Full access |
There's also a "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 write access. Without this step, the system may return an access denied error even if the network settings are correct.
What should I do if the folder won't open from another PC?
If you encounter an error when trying to access the folder, try entering the computer's IP address manually in the File Explorer address bar in the format \192.168.1.X. Also, check to see if the server computer is sleeping.
Transferring files using built-in Windows tools
After setting up the folder, go to the second computer (laptop). Open File Explorer and enter the IP address of the first computer in the address bar. You can find it by opening the command prompt on the first PC and entering the command ipconfig. IPv4 address required.
In the window that opens, you'll see the shared folder. Now you can simply drag and drop files, copy, and paste them as you would with a regular drive. The transfer speed will depend on the speed of your computer. WiFi router and wireless communication standard (N, AC or AX).
For constant convenience, you can map a network folder as a network drive. To do this, in File Explorer, click "This PC," then "Computer" → "Map Network Drive." Select the drive letter and enter the path to the folder. It will now appear in "My Computer" as a separate partition.
Using the SMB protocol is a standard solution for the ecosystem MicrosoftHowever, if you have a mixed network with Mac or Linux, additional file name encoding settings may be required.
Using specialized software
If you don't want to mess around with Windows settings, file transfer programs will come to the rescue. The leader in this niche is Shareit or its open-source counterparts. They create their own access point or use the local network for ultra-fast transfers.
Another great option is to create a temporary HTTP server. Programs like FileZilla Server Some file managers even have built-in functionality that allows you to share a folder via FTP or HTTP. This is convenient because you can even access it from your phone via a browser.
⚠️ Note: When using third-party software, make sure you download it from the developer's official website to avoid installing adware.
Popular utility Resilio Sync (formerly BT Sync) allows you to sync folders between devices via a P2P protocol similar to BitTorrent. This is ideal for regularly backing up photos from a laptop to a desktop computer without using cloud storage.
Troubleshooting connection issues and errors
A common issue is the error "Windows cannot access...." This is most often caused by a disabled SMB 1.0 service or by an antivirus blocking it. Check if support for the older protocol is enabled in Windows components if you're trying to connect to a very old PC.
It's also worth checking the operation of the Discovery Resource Publishing service. Click Win + R, enter services.msc and find "Feature Discovery Resource Publishing" in the list. Make sure it's running and the startup type is set to "Automatic."
If your WiFi speed is critically low, try switching your devices to the 5 GHz band. The 2.4 GHz band is often overloaded by neighboring routers and microwave ovens, causing speed drops and connection interruptions when transferring large files.
In some cases, resetting network settings can help. In Windows 10/11, you can do this via Settings → Network & Internet → Network Reset. This will return all network adapters to factory settings.
Why can't my computer see another computer on the network?
Most often, the problem lies with the "Public" network profile. Change it to "Private" in the WiFi settings. Also, make sure computer names are unique and written in Latin characters.
How do I find out the IP address of a computer to connect to?
Open 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.
Is it possible to transfer files between Windows and Android via WiFi?
Yes, the best way to do this is to use file sharing apps on Android (such as Solid Explorer with the FTP plugin) or set up an SMB share that Android supports.
Is it safe to leave sharing enabled all the time?
On a home network with a strong WiFi password, yes. In public places, be sure to turn off public access and change the network profile to "Public."
What to do if the transmission is interrupted in the middle?
Check the stability of the WiFi signal. If the router is far away, move closer. Also, make sure that neither computer is in power-saving mode, which disables the adapter.