Every PC user faces the need to urgently transfer photos, documents, or movies to a new device. The good old method of using a flash drive or external hard drive is gradually becoming a thing of the past, giving way to more modern wireless solutions. A local Wi-Fi network allows for high-speed data transfer without unnecessary wires and constantly replugging USB ports.
operating system Windows 10 Offers built-in tools for creating a local network that don't require installing third-party software. The main task The process involves properly configuring sharing settings and network profiles on both computers. If you follow the steps carefully, the process will only take a few minutes, even if you're not an advanced system administrator.
In this article, we'll cover all the details, from checking device visibility to troubleshooting common connection errors. You'll learn how to set up folder sharing so files are instantly accessible. This is especially important for Ultrabook owners, where ports are limited and every USB port is at a premium.
Preparing laptops for creating a local network
The first step before starting setup is ensuring physical connectivity between the devices. Both laptops must be connected to the same Wi-Fi access point. It doesn't matter whether your router is distributing the internet or one of the laptops is in tethering mode; the important thing is that they are on the same network segment.
You need to check your network profile. Windows 10 may set the default profile for new connections to "Public," which prevents your device from being visible to others. To ensure proper operation, we need to change the profile to "Private."
- 📡 Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- 🔒 Check that the network status is set to "Private".
- 💻 Give computers unique names to avoid conflicts.
You can change your network type through the Network and Sharing Center or in the system settings. This is critical, as the system blocks incoming connections for security reasons when using the public profile.
⚠️ Attention: If you are in a public place (cafe, airport), do not enable file sharing, as other network users will be able to access your data.
It's also worth making sure that network discovery is enabled on both devices. Without this setting, the computers simply won't "see" each other in the list of available devices, and any further settings will be useless.
Configuring sharing settings in Windows 10
After checking the connection, you need to enable the appropriate permissions in the system. To do this, go to the "Control Panel," then select "Network and Internet," then "Network and Sharing Center." In the left menu, click "Change advanced sharing settings."
A window with several profiles will open. We're interested in the "Private" profile. In this section, you need to enable network discovery and file and printer sharing. These actions will allow other devices on the network to request access to your resources.
At the bottom of the window is the "All Networks" section. It's recommended to enable sharing here so that anyone on the network can access shared folders. However, if you want to protect your data with a password, leave the password protection option enabled.
Be sure to click the "Save Changes" button at the bottom of the page, otherwise all settings will be reset when you close the window. The system will then apply the new firewall rules.
⚠️ Attention: The settings interface may differ slightly depending on the Windows 10 build version (for example, 20H2 or 21H1), but the logic of the item layout remains the same.
Creating and sharing a shared folder
Now that the network settings are ready, you need to create a location for the files to be transferred. You can use the default "Shared Documents" folder or create a new one in any convenient location, such as drive D. Consider creating your own folder for greater flexibility.
Create a folder, name it something like "Transfer." Right-click it and select "Properties." Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Advanced." Check the "Share this folder" box.
Next, you need to configure access rights. Click the "Permissions" button. Here you can select the "Everyone" group and grant them full access, read access, or modify access. For simple file transfers, simply grant "Read" and "Modify" access.
☑️ Checking folder settings
There's also a "Security" tab in the folder's properties. Make sure the user group permissions are specified there, otherwise the system may block access even if the network settings are open.
| Access type | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | The user can only open files | To transfer photos and documents |
| Change | Can be opened, edited and deleted | For collaboration |
| Full access | Full control over the folder and rights | For trusted persons only |
Once all settings are applied, the folder will be accessible over the network. Its path usually looks like this: \\ComputerName\FolderName.
Search for computers and connect to shared resources
Now let's move on to the second laptop where you need to transfer the files. Open File Explorer and find "Network" in the left column. If you did everything correctly, the names of both computers should appear in the list.
If the computers aren't visible, you can try entering the path manually. In the File Explorer address bar, enter two backslashes and the name of the first computer or its IP address. You can find the IP address on the first laptop by opening the command prompt and entering the command ipconfig.
When you first connect, the system may prompt you for credentials. You'll need to enter the username and password you used to log in to the first computer. This is necessary for network authorization.
What to do if Windows doesn't accept your password?
The problem often stems from a blank password on the first PC. In this case, create a password for the account or enable passwordless login in Group Policy, although this is less secure.
After successfully entering the password, the folder will open as a regular directory. You can copy files from it or write to it, depending on the permissions configured.
For convenience, you can map a frequently used network folder as a network drive. To do this, right-click the folder and select "Map as network drive," selecting any available drive letter.
Using Nearby Sharing
Newer versions of Windows 10 (starting with the 1803 update) introduced the Nearby Share feature. It works similarly to AirDrop in macOS and allows you to transfer files directly between nearby devices without setting up complex network connections.
For this feature to work, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi must be enabled on both laptops. Go to "Settings" (the gear icon in the Start menu), select "System," and find "Nearby Sharing." Toggle the switch on.
Now, to send a file, simply right-click on a document or photo, select "Share," and select the target laptop from the list of available devices. A notification will appear on the receiving device informing you that they have requested the file.
This method is ideal for quickly transferring single files or small groups of documents. It eliminates the need to create shared folders or enter passwords if the devices have previously communicated with each other.
⚠️ Attention: Transfer speeds via Nearby Share may be slower than direct copying over a local network via SMB, especially for large files (over 10 GB).
Make sure the feature settings are set to "Everyone around" or "My devices only," depending on whether you want to see requests from other people's devices in public places.
Common errors and how to fix them
Despite the ease of setup, users often encounter problems. One of the most common errors is "Windows cannot access...." This is often due to a firewall or antivirus blocking the connection.
Try temporarily disabling your third-party antivirus and checking access. If the issue is resolved, add an exception rule to your security software's firewall settings. You should also check the "Detection Resource Publishing" service.
- 🛑 Check if the DNS Client service is enabled.
- 🛑 Make sure the Connection Manager service is active.
- 🛑 Try pinging the device by IP address using the command line.
Another reason could be a disabled SMB 1.0 service, although in Windows 10 it is often not required to work with modern devices, but for older NAS or printers it may be necessary.
If all else fails, try creating a new local user with simple permissions and a password on both computers and try logging in using that user. This will rule out administrator privilege issues.
Comparison of data transfer methods
The choice of transfer method depends on your goals. If you need to transfer terabytes of data, it's best to use a cable or set up a full-fledged shared folder with SMB access. For a few photos, a cloud storage or instant messaging app will do.
Wi-Fi Direct and Nearby Sharing are great for battery life, but can be unstable in poor signal conditions. A wired connection via a LAN cable (twisted pair) will provide maximum speed if both laptops have the appropriate ports.
| Method | Speed | Complexity | Internet access is needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared folder (SMB) | High | Average | No |
| Exchange with the environment | Average | Low | No |
| Cloud services | Depends on the tariff | Low | Yes |
| LAN cable | Very high | Low | No |
Analyzing the table, we can conclude that for regular work in the office or at home, setting up a shared folder is optimal. This is a one-time setup solution that works for years.
Use SMB 3.0 protocol, which is enabled by default in Windows 10, to ensure encryption of transmitted data within your local network.
Is it possible to transfer files if the laptops have different versions of Windows?
Yes, Windows 10 works great on a network with Windows 7, 8.1, and even Windows 11. The main thing is that the SMB protocol is enabled on all devices and the same network type is configured.
What is the maximum transfer speed over Wi-Fi?
Speed depends on the router standard (N, AC, AX) and band (2.4 or 5 GHz). In the 5 GHz band, you can achieve real speeds of 40-80 MB/s, which is comparable to fast flash drives.
Is internet required for a local network to function?
No, internet access is not required. Both laptops need to be connected to the same router, even if it's not connected to a provider. The local network operates autonomously.
Why is the computer visible on the network, but the folder won't open?
The issue is most likely related to access rights to a specific folder or being blocked by an antivirus program. Check the "Security" tab in the folder's properties and firewall settings.
How to find out the IP address of the second laptop?
On the second laptop, press Win+R, enter cmd, then in the black window enter ipconfigYou are interested in the line "IPv4 address".