How to transfer information from one computer to another via Wi-Fi

In today's digital world, the need to quickly transfer documents, photos, or video files arises constantly, and using flash drives often seems too slow or inconvenient. Wireless LAN opens up new possibilities for users. Windows and other operating systems offer tremendous opportunities for instant data exchange without loss of quality. If your devices are within the same router coverage area, you can transfer gigabytes of data in minutes, without resorting to third-party cloud storage services with their speed limitations.

There are many ways to implement this process, ranging from built-in operating system functions to specialized software. The choice of a specific method depends on the OS version, whether you have administrator rights, and how often you need to perform such operations. In this article, we'll detail the most effective and secure workflows that will allow you to forget about cables.

Preparing equipment and checking the network

Before you begin configuring the software, you need to ensure that both computers are physically accessible for network communication. The key requirement is that both devices are in the same local network, that is, they must be connected to the same router. This can be either a wired connection or a wireless connection via Wi-FiThe main thing is that the IP addresses of the devices belong to the same subnet.

Users often encounter the problem of computers not "seeing" each other, and in 90% of cases the cause lies in the network profile. Operating system Windows 10 And Windows 11 By default, it assigns new connections to the "Public Network" profile, which blocks your device from being visible to others. You need to change this status to "Private Network" to allow discovery.

⚠️ Attention: When changing your network profile to "Private," make sure you're connected to your home router, not public Wi-Fi at a cafe or airport, to avoid exposing your data to strangers.

To check the connection, you can use the built-in command line utility. Open a terminal and enter the command ping with the IP address of the second computer. If responses are received, the physical connection is working correctly, and you can proceed to configuring access.

Windows Shared Folder Method (SMB)

The classic and most reliable way to transfer data is to create a shared network folder that is accessible for reading and writing from other devices. This method uses the protocol SMB (Server Message Block), which is the standard for file sharing in Microsoft environments. Implementation requires no additional software installation; simply configure access rights appropriately.

First, create a new folder on the drive where you plan to store the files for transfer. Right-click it, select "Properties," and go to the "Sharing" tab. Here, click "Advanced" and check the box next to "Share this folder." Then, click "Permissions" and ensure that the "Everyone" group or a specific user has "Full Control" permissions.

• 📁 Open Control Panel and go to Network and Sharing Center.
• 🔒 Click "Change advanced sharing settings" in the left menu.
• ✅ Enable the "Turn on network discovery" and "Turn on file and printer sharing" options.
• 🔓 At the bottom of the window, find the "All Networks" section and enable "Turn off password-protected sharing" (for trusted home networks only!).

Once the settings are applied, the folder will become visible to other users. To access it from another computer, open File Explorer and enter [in the address bar] \\Computer IP address or \\Computer-nameThe system may prompt you for credentials; in this case, enter the login and password for the user account on the computer where the folder is located.

Using Nearby Sharing

In more modern versions of the operating system, such as Windows 10 (version 1803 and later) and Windows 11, a feature similar to AirDrop has appeared in the Apple ecosystem. It's called Nearby Share and allows you to transfer files and links via Bluetooth And Wi-Fi Without the complicated setup of shared folders, this method is ideal for one-time transfers of documents or photos.

To activate the function on both computers, you need to go to “Settings” (keys Win + I), select the "System" section and find "Nearby Sharing." Make sure the toggle is enabled and "Everyone around me" or "My devices" is selected in the "Can share with me" drop-down list. Also, make sure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled on both PCs.

The transfer process is extremely simple: right-click the file, select "Share," and you'll see the second computer's name in the list of available devices. A notification will appear on the receiving end, which you'll need to confirm to begin the download. The transfer speed in this case is limited by your bandwidth. Wi-Fi channel.

⚠️ Attention: Nearby Share may not work if one of the computers has older Wi-Fi or Bluetooth drivers that do not support Wi-Fi Direct.

Why can't I find the second computer?

If the devices can't see each other, check if Airplane Mode is enabled on one of them. Also, make sure Windows Firewall isn't blocking incoming connections for the File and Printer Sharing service. Restarting the Bluetooth Support Service in Task Manager can sometimes help.

Creating a HomeGroup and Working with Network Storage

Although classic HomeGroups were discontinued in Windows 10, the concept of grouping devices into a trusted cluster remains relevant through the Home Networking feature. This simplifies access to media libraries and documents, allowing you to stream content to a TV or another PC without entering passwords each time.

To organize such interaction, third-party emulator utilities or manual registry configuration are often used, but in modern conditions, it's easier to use OneDrive's built-in sync tools or create a virtual storage. However, if you prefer local storage, you can set up an FTP server on one of the computers.

Installing a simple FTP server (such as FileZilla Server) will transform your computer into a fully-fledged network storage device. You can connect to it from any device on the network using an FTP client or even a browser. This gives you the flexibility to configure access rights for different users and allows you to keep logs of transferred files.

Third-party programs for fast transfer (Syncthing, Resilio)

When built-in Windows tools are unstable or synchronization between different operating systems (for example, Windows and Linux, or Android) is required, specialized applications come to the rescue. The leaders in this niche are programs that work using P2P technology, such as Syncthing or Resilio Sync.

These applications don't require a central server; they connect your devices directly over the internet or local network using unique ID keys. You install the program on both computers, add the device by ID, and select a folder to sync. All file changes are instantly replicated across all network members.

• 🚀 Syncthing — a completely free, open-source solution ideal for tech-savvy users.
• ⚡ Resilio Sync (formerly BitTorrent Sync) - is distinguished by its high speed and simple interface, but has paid plans for advanced features.
• 🔒 Tailscale — creates a secure virtual network (VPN), allowing you to transfer files both within the local network and from anywhere in the world.

The main advantage of such solutions is that port forwarding is not required, as the connection is initiated from within the network. This is especially useful if the provider uses the technology CGNAT and doesn't give you a public IP address. Data transmission is encrypted, guaranteeing confidentiality.

⚠️ Attention: Synchronizer software interfaces may be updated by developers. If you don't see the button or menu described, check the developer's official website for up-to-date screenshots.

Troubleshooting device speed and visibility issues

Even with proper configuration, users may experience slow file copy speeds. Often, the bottleneck is the router itself, operating in the 2.4 GHz band, which physically cannot provide speeds above 40-50 Mbps in real-world conditions. For large data transfers, using the band is critical. 5 GHz.

Another common issue is network card power saving. Windows may automatically disable the Wi-Fi adapter to save power, which can lead to connection drops when transferring large files. To fix this, open Device Manager, locate your network adapter, open Properties, and in the Power Management tab, uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device."

netsh interface tcp show global

This command in the command prompt (run as administrator) will display the current TCP settings. If you see that receive window auto-adjustment is disabled, this may negatively impact the speed of your local network. However, changing these settings unnecessarily is not recommended, as it may disrupt internet performance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to transfer files if the computers are running different versions of Windows (7 and 10)?

Yes, this is possible. The SMB protocol is universal. However, Windows 10 disables support for the older SMBv1 protocol by default, which can be used in Windows 7. To resolve this, we recommend either updating SMB on Windows 7 or temporarily enabling SMB 1.0 support in Windows 10 components, although this reduces security.

What is the maximum transfer speed over Wi-Fi?

Speed ​​depends on the router standard and adapters. In the 2.4 GHz band, actual speeds rarely exceed 40-50 Mbps. In the 5 GHz band, with the standard Wi-Fi 5 (AC) can reach 300-500 MB/s, and the new standard Wi-Fi 6 allows you to break through the 1 Gb/s ceiling, which is comparable to a gigabit cable.

Is it safe to leave a shared folder open?

If you're on a home network with a strong Wi-Fi password, the risks are minimal. However, if guests are allowed to connect to your network, it's best to use guest access with client isolation or set strong passwords on user accounts accessing shared resources.

Why do I get the "Insufficient rights" error when copying?

This means your account on the destination computer doesn't have write access to this folder. You need to return to the folder's properties on the receiving computer, go to the "Security" tab, and add the "Everyone" user or a specific user with "Modify" and "Write" permissions.