Organizing file sharing between devices within a single apartment or office is a task that almost every user faces. Local area network Allows you to transfer documents, photos, and videos at the maximum speed available from your wireless module, without the need for external drives or cloud storage. This is especially important when working with large amounts of data, where internet speed or traffic limits are critical.
Modern operating systems such as Windows 10 And Windows 11, have built-in mechanisms for creating such connections, but their default settings often block device visibility for security reasons. You don't need to install third-party software if you configure your system and router settings correctly. Understanding how they work SMB protocol and firewall rules will help avoid typical mistakes when computers "don't see" each other.
In this article, we'll walk you through the network creation process, from hardware checks to setting up shared folders. We'll explore the nuances of working with different network profiles and how to resolve access issues that users may encounter with different operating system versions.
Equipment check and basic requirements
The first step is to ensure that all devices you plan to connect are connected to the same wireless router. This is a fundamental requirement: if one laptop is sharing internet via a mobile hotspot and another is connected to your home Wi-Fi, they will be on different subnets and won't be able to exchange data directly without complex routing.
Check the connection status on each device. Ideally, all computers should have IP addresses from the same subnet, such as 192.168.1.x. Also, make sure that the "Client Isolation" feature isn't enabled on your router. This feature is often enabled on public networks to protect users, but it interferes with local connections at home.
⚠️ Attention: Some mesh systems and routers with a "Guest Network" feature automatically isolate connected devices from each other. Make sure your PCs are connected to the main network, not the guest SSID.
For stable transfer of large files, it is desirable that the devices support the standard Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) or newer. Older standards can become a bottleneck, significantly reducing data transfer speeds compared to a wired connection.
Setting up a network profile in Windows
By default, the Windows operating system considers new Wi-Fi connections to be public, which means strict restrictions on device visibility. For computers to be able to "see" each other, you need to change the network profile to "Private." This action tells the system that you trust the surrounding devices.
To perform this procedure, open the network settings from the taskbar or the Start menu. Find the properties of your current Wi-Fi connection. In the "Network Profile" section, toggle the switch from "Public" to "Private." This will allow the device to be discovered by other computers on the same network.
If you have multiple network adapters or frequently change connection locations, check this setting each time you connect to a new access point. Network discovery — is a key service that is activated only in a private profile and allows the computer to broadcast its presence in the local environment.
Enabling Sharing and Discoverability
After changing your profile, you need to fine-tune your sharing settings. Windows provides a flexible tool for managing which resources are accessible to other users and how. Without proper configuration of these settings, folders will remain private, even with the correct network profile.
Go to Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settings. Here you'll see sections for different network profiles. Make sure the following options are enabled under Private:
- 📡 Turn on network discovery.
- 📡 Enable automatic configuration of connected devices.
- 📁 Enable file and printer sharing.
It's also important to pay attention to the "All Networks" section. This is where the critically important "Password-protected sharing" setting is located. If you want your files to be accessible to any device on the network without entering a username and password, you should disable this feature. However, in offices or apartment buildings with poor Wi-Fi security, it's best to leave it enabled.
☑️ Access setup checklist
Setting up shared folders and access rights
Now that the network infrastructure is ready, you need to select specific data to share. You can share any folder on your drive, making it readable and writable by other users. This is more convenient than sending files via instant messaging or email.
Right-click the folder you want to share and select "Properties." Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Advanced." Check the "Share this folder" box. In the "Permissions" section, you can fine-tune what other users can do: read files, modify them, or delete them completely.
There's also a "Security" tab where you set access rights for specific Windows accounts. If you've disabled password protection, make sure the "Everyone" group with read access is present in the user list. If password access is enabled, the incoming connection will be made under the account of the user whose credentials you enter when connecting.
⚠️ Attention: Granting "Full Control" permissions to the "Everyone" group on an open Wi-Fi network can lead to data leaks or ransomware infections. Use this setting only on trusted home networks.
To access a shared folder from another computer, open File Explorer and enter in the address bar \\Computer IP address or \\Computer-nameIf the settings are correct, you will see the available resources.
What to do if the computer name does not work?
The computer name may not resolve to an IP address due to DNS issues on the local network. In this case, always use a numeric IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.15), which can be found by entering the ipconfig command in the Command Prompt.
Comparison of connection methods and protocols
When organizing data exchange, it is important to understand the differences between access methods. Windows uses the protocol SMB (Server Message Block) for file sharing, but there are also alternatives, such as FTP servers or cloud syncing. The choice depends on your needs: ongoing access to a movie library or a one-time document transfer.
Below is a table comparing the main characteristics of different approaches to organizing local exchange:
| Method | Speed | Difficulty of setup | Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMB (Shared Folders) | High | Average | Depends on the password |
| FTP server | Very high | High | Low (no encryption) |
| Bluetooth | Low | Low | Average |
| Cloud services | Depends on the Internet | Low | High |
For most home Wi-Fi networking needs, the standard SMB protocol offers the optimal balance between convenience and performance. It is natively supported by all versions of Windows, macOS, and most Smart TV media players.
Diagnosing and troubleshooting (common) problems
Even with proper configuration, situations may arise where computers cannot see each other. Often, the problem lies with antivirus software or firewall software blocking incoming connections. Check your security software settings and ensure private networks are marked as trusted.
Another common cause is disabled Windows services. Open "Services.msc" and check the status of the following services: "Discovery Resource Publishing," "Computer Search," and "Discovery Functional Resources." They should be started and running automatically.
If you're using different versions of Windows (for example, Windows 10 and Windows 7/8), SMB protocol version conflicts may occur. Newer systems disable SMBv1 by default for security reasons, but older systems require it. We recommend upgrading older operating systems or enabling SMBv1 support on newer ones (using "Turn Windows features on or off"), but be aware of the risks.
⚠️ Attention: Settings interfaces and menu item names may vary depending on the Windows build version and security updates. If you don't find an option, search for it in the system settings or use the command control to call the classic control panel.
In complex cases, resetting network settings can help. In Windows 10/11, this can be done via Settings → Network & Internet → Network Reset. This will reinstall network drivers and restore all settings to factory defaults, which often resolves mysterious connection issues.
How do I find out the IP address of another computer on the network?
Use the ping command. Open the command prompt and enter "ping computer_name." The response will show the IP address from which the response came.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to create a local network if the router is not connected to the Internet?
Yes, internet access is not required for a local network to function. The router simply acts as a switch, creating a local environment. The main thing is that the devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi router.
Why does it ask for a login and password when connecting, even though I disabled protection?
Windows may be caching old credentials. Try deleting saved passwords in Credential Manager (Control Panel -> Credential Manager) under Windows Credentials.
Is it safe to keep public access open all the time?
On a home network with a strong Wi-Fi password (WPA2/WPA3), the risks are minimal. In public places or offices, it's best to disable public access or use a guest network without access to local resources.
How to share a folder between macOS and Windows simultaneously?
Use the standard SMB protocol. On a Mac, in the Sharing preferences, enable "File Sharing" and click "Options," making sure "Share files and folders using SMB" is checked.