Upgrading from an old laptop to a new model or needing to copy a large archive of work documents often poses the question of choosing a transfer method. Using external hard drives or USB flash drives may seem like a simple solution, but the read and write speeds of a USB 2.0 port can be disappointing when transferring hundreds of gigabytes of information. Fortunately, modern technology makes it possible to organize direct connection between devices using only the capabilities of a local wireless network.
Transferring data via Wi-Fi eliminates the need to search for available ports, buy adapters, or physically move storage media from one location to another. This method is especially relevant for owners of Ultrabooks, where the number of ports is often minimal, and the speed of the modern standard Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 5 Allows you to achieve performance comparable to a wired connection. In this article, we'll explore proven file sharing setup methods that work reliably and don't require complex third-party software.
Before you begin the setup, make sure both laptops are connected to the same wireless network. This fundamental condition This is necessary for most built-in Windows operating system mechanisms to function, as devices must "see" each other within the same network segment. If your router supports a guest network, make sure client isolation is not enabled on it; otherwise, computers will not be able to exchange data packets.
Preparing the operating system and network profile
The first step to successful file sharing is to correctly configure the network profile in the operating system. By default, Windows may classify a new connection as "Public," which automatically hides your computer from other devices for security purposes. You need to change this status to "Private" or "Home" to enable discovery features.
To do this, go to the Network Control Panel and select the active connection. In the properties window that opens, find the network profile switch and set the value PrivateThis action will make the computer visible to other devices and open access to the necessary communication protocols.
Next, you need to enable network discovery. Without this step, even with the correct profile, laptops may ignore each other's requests. Open "Settings" from the Start menu, go to "Network & Internet," then select "Advanced sharing settings."
- 🔹 Enable network discovery and automatic installation of connected devices.
- 🔹 Enable file and printer sharing.
- 🔹 Allow Windows to manage HomeGroup connections.
⚠️ Warning: If you're in a public place (cafe, coworking space), enabling these settings may make your data vulnerable. Use this method only on trusted home or office networks.
After making changes, be sure to click the "Save Changes" button for the settings to take effect. Restarting your computer is usually not necessary, but if the devices don't see each other after a couple of minutes, it might be a good idea to restart the network adapter or the laptop itself.
Setting up a shared folder for quick access
The most classic and reliable method of transferring is to create a shared folder. This method doesn't require any additional software and uses a standard protocol. SMB, built into the operating system kernel. The mechanism is simple: you allocate a portion of disk space that is accessible for reading and writing by other computers on the network.
Create a new folder in a convenient location, such as the root of drive D or in documents, and name it something like ExchangeRight-click on it, select "Properties," and go to the "Sharing" tab. Click the "Sharing" button and select the user from the drop-down list. All, adding it with "Read and Write" rights.
For more detailed settings, click the "Advanced Settings" button and ensure "Share this folder" is checked. You can also limit the number of concurrent users here, although this is rarely important for a home network. After applying the settings, the system may ask you to confirm enabling network discovery—accept it.
☑️ Checking folder settings
Now, on the second laptop, open File Explorer and select "Network" in the left pane. If everything is configured correctly, you'll see the name of the first computer. When you log in, you'll find the shared folder. For convenience, you can right-click the folder and select "Mount as network drive," assigning it a drive letter so it appears as a regular hard drive partition.
The copying speed in this case will depend on the power of your router and the Wi-Fi standard. When using the 5 GHz band and standard AC or AX The speed can reach 40-80 MB/s, which is quite comparable to fast flash drives.
Using Nearby Share in Windows 10 and 11
Modern versions of Windows have a feature Near Share (Nearby Sharing), which works similarly to AirDrop in the Apple ecosystem. This method is ideal for quickly transferring individual documents, photos, or links without the need to create shared folders or navigate network resources.
To enable this feature on both laptops, open "Settings," go to "System," and find the "Nearby Sharing" section. Make sure the switch is set to "On." Also, make sure the computer name is unique and descriptive, as this will be the name that will appear in the list of available devices.
The transfer process is as follows: open the file you want to send, right-click, and select "Share." In the list of system apps that appears, select "Nearby Share" and wait for the second laptop's name to appear. A notification will pop up on the receiving end, asking if they want to save the file.
| Parameter | Shared folder (SMB) | Exchange with the environment | Cloud services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | High (depending on the router) | Medium/High | Depends on the Internet |
| Complexity | Average | Low | Low |
| Internet access is needed | No (local network only) | No | Yes |
| Better for | Big data | Separate files | Synchronization |
It's important to note that this feature requires both devices to be signed in to a Microsoft account and on the same network. If the devices can't see each other, check your firewall settings, as they may be blocking discovery protocols.
What to do if the function does not work?
Nearby Sharing may not work if Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct is disabled on one of the computers. Also, make sure your wireless adapter drivers are updated to the latest version, as older versions may not support the required discovery protocols. Try temporarily disabling your third-party antivirus software to check.
Transferring large files via FTP server
For advanced users who need to transfer terabytes of data or work with the file system as if it were local, the optimal solution would be to deploy their own FTP serversThis provides maximum flexibility and often higher connection stability in the event of a connection failure compared to standard SMB.
Windows has a built-in IIS (Internet Information Services) component that allows you to create an FTP server, but setting it up can seem overly complex for a one-time operation. A simpler solution is to use lightweight, free utilities such as FileZilla Server or HFS (HTTP File Server).
Let's consider the HFS option, as it requires no installation and works immediately after launch. Download the program to the source laptop, run the executable file, and drag the folders or files you want to transfer into the program window. The program will automatically detect the computer's IP address and generate a link.
http://192.168.1.55:8080Enter this link (or simply the IP address displayed in the program) into the address bar of any browser on the second laptop. This will open a web interface through which you can download files at any speed supported by your Wi-Fi connection. The advantage of this method is its cross-platform compatibility—you can even receive files from a phone or tablet.
⚠️ Important: When using FTP or HTTP servers, remember that anyone connected to your Wi-Fi network can theoretically access your files unless you set a password. Be sure to set a username and password for access in the HFS or FileZilla settings.
After the transfer is complete, remember to close the server program to prevent unauthorized access to your data. This method is particularly advantageous because it is independent of Windows versions and works even across different generations of operating systems.
Synchronization via cloud storage
While the question is about transferring over Wi-Fi, cloud technologies, which use the same wireless channel but over the internet, shouldn't be ignored. If you have a high-speed connection and aren't billed per minute, this may be the most convenient option for small and medium-sized documents.
Services like OneDrive, Google Drive or Yandex Disk have desktop clients that integrate with File Explorer. You simply copy files to a special folder on the first laptop, and they're automatically uploaded to the cloud. On the second laptop, simply log in to the same account, and the files will appear in the sync folder.
The main advantage is that there's no need to configure a local network, forward ports, or worry about firewalls. However, the speed will be limited by your upload/download bandwidth and the service's server capacity. For archives of 50-100 GB, this method can take several hours.
There are also services for direct transfer without volume limits, such as WeTransfer or SendAnywhere, which work through a browser. They generate a code or link that is valid for a short time, making it convenient for a one-time transfer.
Solving visibility and speed issues
Even with proper configuration, users may encounter a situation where computers cannot see each other on the network. Most often, the problem lies with Windows services that have stopped for some reason. Check if the service is running. Publishing Simple Service Discovery Protocol discovery resources And Discovery Service Provider Host.
To check, open a command prompt with administrator rights (click Win + X and select the appropriate item). Enter the command services.msc to open the list of services. Find the services listed above, double-click them, and ensure the startup type is set to "Automatic" and the service is running.
- 🔹 Check if your antivirus is blocking your local network (select "Public Network" mode in your antivirus firewall settings).
- 🔹 Make sure that SMB 1.0 is enabled on both computers (although this is less secure, it is sometimes necessary for older devices).
- 🔹 Try a ping test: open a command prompt and type
ping the IP address of the second laptop.
If you can ping but can't see the folders, the issue is likely related to sharing settings or access rights to a specific folder. If there's no ping, the problem lies with the network adapter or router. In the latter case, try temporarily disabling Windows Firewall to check.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to transfer files if the laptops have different versions of Windows?
Yes, this is possible. The SMB protocols used for sharing are compatible between Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11. The only caveat is that in Windows 10 and 11, the SMBv1 protocol, which was used in XP and older versions of Windows 7, is disabled by default for security reasons. With modern versions (7/8/10/11), there shouldn't be any compatibility issues with proper network configuration.
What is the maximum Wi-Fi transfer speed in reality?
Actual speed depends on the router standard and adapters. Wi-Fi 4 (N) at 2.4 GHz rarely exceeds 3-5 MB/s. Wi-Fi 5 (AC) at 5 GHz can reach 20-40 MB/s, and modern Wi-Fi 6 (AX) can deliver up to 80-100 MB/s under ideal conditions, which is comparable to the read speed of a regular hard drive.
Do you need internet to transfer files over a local network?
No, an internet connection is not required. For shared folder, FTP, or "Nearby Sharing" methods to work, both laptops must be connected to the same router (even if the router isn't connected to the ISP). Data is transferred directly between devices within the local network.
Why does the transmission speed sometimes drop and sometimes increase?
This is normal for wireless networks. Speed can fluctuate due to interference from neighboring routers, microwave ovens, thick walls, or even people moving between laptops. Speed also often drops when transferring multiple small files compared to a single large file.