Connecting two computers into a single local area network via Wi-Fi is one of the most basic tasks faced by home and office network users. This configuration allows not only for exchanging files of any size without external drives, but also for playing online games, sharing printers, and even remotely accessing another device's desktop. In the era of gigabit wireless speeds, Wi-Fi 6 And Wi-Fi 5 Data transmission over the air has become virtually indistinguishable from a wired connection in terms of response speed.
There are several scenarios for setting up such communication: the classic option using an existing router, creating a virtual access point on one of your laptops, or using the "Mobile Hotspot" feature built into modern versions of the Windows operating system. The choice of a specific method depends on your infrastructure: whether you have an active router, whether the devices are within its range, or whether you need to connect them directly, without intermediaries. Local Area Network (LAN) gives freedom of action independent of the Internet provider.
In this article, we'll cover every setup step in detail, from checking network card settings to fine-tuning access rights to shared resources. We'll also explore the nuances of firewalls that often block connections and how to bypass them without critically compromising system security. Properly preparing your equipment is key to the stable operation of your entire digital ecosystem.
Preparing equipment and checking Wi-Fi settings
The first step before starting setup is to physically and software-test the devices. Ensure both computers are equipped with working wireless modules. Modern laptops come with built-in adapters, while desktop computers may require an external USB dongle or an internal PCIe card. It's crucial that the network adapter drivers are updated to the latest version, available on the manufacturer's website.
Both devices must be within range of a strong signal. If you plan to transfer large amounts of data, the distance between the computers and the router (if using a classic setup) should not be too great to avoid speed drops due to interference. Check that the Wi-Fi module itself is enabled: in Windows 10 and 11, this can be done through the notification bar or a keyboard shortcut.
⚠️ Important: Make sure both computers are connected to the same network (same SSID). If you have a dual-band router broadcasting 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks with different names, connect both computers to the same network name; otherwise, they may end up on different subnets.
You can check your connection status via the command line. Open the terminal and enter the command ipconfigto see the current IP address. If the address starts with 169.254.x.x, this means the device hasn't received an address from the router, and the connection hasn't been established. In normal mode, the address will look like this: 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x.
Method 1: Classic connection via a shared router
This is the most common and stable option, suitable for most home and office scenarios. Both computers connect to your router's Wi-Fi network, which acts as a central switch. In this case, the operating system should see the network as "Private" rather than "Public," as this prevents device discovery.
To change your network profile, go to Wi-Fi settings, click on your connection properties, and select the "Private" network type. This will make your computer visible to other devices on the same network. Without this step, even with a technically sound connection, computers simply won't be able to "see" each other in the network environment.
Next, you need to configure sharing settings. Open "Control Panel" -> "Network and Sharing Center" -> "Change advanced sharing settings." Here, you need to enable the following features:
- 📡 Turn on network discovery.
- 📂 Enable file and printer sharing.
- 🔓 Allow management of HomeGroup connections (if available).
After applying the settings, the system may require you to reboot the network adapter or the computer itself. Make sure the same steps are performed on both devices. In some corporate networks, administrators may block traffic exchange between clients (AP Isolation), so this method may not work in office environments without tweaking the router settings.
Method 2: Direct connection (Ad-Hoc or Hotspot)
If you don't have a router handy but need to quickly transfer files, you can create a direct connection between two computers. In Windows 10 and 11, the "Mobile Hotspot" feature is ideal for this. One computer (usually the one with the best reception or the internet source) broadcasts the Wi-Fi signal, and the other connects to it like a regular router.
To activate, go to "Settings" -> "Network & Internet" -> "Mobile Hotspot." Select a connection source (for example, Ethernet or another Wi-Fi connection if you just want to create a tunnel) and enable the feature. It's important to set a password to prevent unauthorized devices from connecting to your network. On the second computer, find the newly created network in the list of available Wi-Fi networks and enter the password.
netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=MyDirectLink key=Password123
netsh wlan start hostednetwork
This method is great for its versatility, but it has speed and stability limitations compared to a full-fledged router. Furthermore, the network adapter on the first computer must support access point mode. Older Wi-Fi adapters may not support this feature in their software.
⚠️ Important: When using a mobile hotspot, make sure that the device distributing the hotspot does not have any heavy background processes running that could overload the Wi-Fi module and cause the connection to be interrupted.
Why does the speed drop when connecting directly?
When organizing a network through a hotspot on one of the PCs, the network adapter of this computer is forced to simultaneously receive and transmit data, which divides the channel bandwidth in half and increases delays (ping).
Setting up shared access to folders and files
Once computers can see each other on the network, they need to grant access to specific resources. Simply connecting to Wi-Fi isn't enough—you need to explicitly tell the system which folders can be opened for reading or writing. Create a folder, right-click it, and select "Properties."
Go to the "Access" tab and click "Advanced." Check "Share this folder." Below, click "Permissions," where you can fine-tune permissions for the "Everyone" group or specific users: read, modify, or full access. It's not recommended to grant full access unless absolutely necessary.
There's also a quicker way via the "Sharing" tab in the folder properties, where you can select a user from the list and click "Add." This interface is more user-friendly for beginners, but offers fewer fine-grained settings. Once configured on the second computer, this folder will appear under "Network" -> "First computer name."
| Access type | Reading | Recording | Removal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Change | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Full access | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Special rights | ⚙️ Customizable | ⚙️ Customizable | ⚙️ Customizable |
It's important to note that when attempting to access a folder, the system may request the login and password of the user account on whose computer the folder is shared. This is a standard Windows security procedure. To avoid repeated prompts, you can create identical accounts with the same passwords on both computers, but this is less secure.
Troubleshooting visibility and connectivity issues
Even with proper configuration, users often encounter a situation where computers can't see each other. The most common cause is that the Windows services responsible for discovery are stopped. Check these services. Function Discovery Resource Publication And SSDP DiscoveryThey must be running and have the startup type "Automatic".
The second common blocker is an antivirus or firewall. Third-party antivirus programs (Kaspersky, ESET, Avast) often have their own network security modules that block local connections, deeming them suspicious. Temporarily disable your antivirus's firewall to test this hypothesis. If the problem is resolved, add your local network to the exceptions.
☑️ Connection diagnostics
It's also worth checking the SMB (Server Message Block) protocol. In modern versions of Windows, older versions of SMBv1 are disabled by default for security reasons, but to communicate with older devices or NAS drives, they may need to be enabled via "Turn Windows features on or off." However, this is usually not necessary for communication between two modern PCs running Windows 10/11.
⚠️ Note: Network settings interfaces and service names may vary slightly depending on your Windows build version (Home, Pro, Enterprise) and installed updates. Always consult the latest Microsoft documentation for your OS version.
Local Wi-Fi network security
Setting up a local network opens the door not only to you, but also potentially to attackers if they gain access to your Wi-Fi. Therefore, using a strong encryption protocol WPA3 or at least WPA2-AES On your router, it's essential. Never use the outdated WEP protocol, which can be cracked in minutes.
If you're in a public place or using guest Wi-Fi, avoid enabling File Sharing. On such networks, it's better to use secure transmission channels, such as creating a VPN tunnel between computers or using cloud services with end-to-end encryption, instead of directly sharing folders.
Regularly update passwords for your Wi-Fi network and Windows user accounts. Administrator passwords should be complex and unique, as brute-force attacks are possible with local network access. Direct connection without a password (Open Network) is strictly prohibited for transmitting any confidential data.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to connect computers via Wi-Fi if one of them is running Windows 7 and the other is running Windows 10?
Yes, this is possible, but it requires additional effort. On Windows 10, you need to enable SMBv1 support (via Control Panel -> Programs and Features), as Windows 7 uses this protocol by default. However, this reduces security, so it's best to disable SMBv1 again after transferring files.
What is the maximum file transfer speed over Wi-Fi?
Speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard and environmental conditions. For Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), the actual speed under ideal conditions is approximately 400-600 Mbps. Wi-Fi 6 can deliver up to 800-900 Mbps. However, due to protocol overhead and interference, actual file copy speeds are typically 50-70% of the theoretical maximum.
Why does the speed increase and then drop to zero when copying?
This is typical for wireless networks. Speed drops when there's interference (from neighboring routers or microwave ovens), when moving further away from the router, or when switching between 2.4 and 5 GHz frequencies. Background downloads of Windows updates on one of the PCs can also have an impact.
Do you need internet access to use a local Wi-Fi network?
No, the internet is not required. The local network operates autonomously. Computers exchange data directly or through a router, which in this case simply acts as a switch, even if the ISP's cable is disconnected.