Organizing data exchange between devices within an apartment or small office is a challenge faced by every modern user. Often, there's a need to transfer a large movie, project, or photo archive from one PC to another without using external drives or cloud services, whose speeds may be limited by your provider's plan. A local Wi-Fi network allows for file transfer at the maximum speed supported by your wireless adapter.
There are two main scenarios for implementing this task: connecting through an existing router, when both devices are already on the same Wi-Fi network, and creating a direct computer-to-computer connection (Ad-Hoc mode), when a router is missing or unavailable. In both cases, the operating system requires correct sharing settings; otherwise, the devices simply won't see each other, despite an active wireless connection.
In this guide, we'll cover both methods, focusing on the finer points of configuring Windows 10 and 11, as this is where access rights conflicts and firewall blocking most often occur. Properly configuring the network profile and services is key to the stable operation of your home infrastructure.
Equipment preparation and compatibility testing
Before proceeding with software settings, you need to make sure that the equipment is physically ready. Wireless adapters Both computers must be functional and their drivers must be updated to the latest version. Outdated adapter software may not support the required encryption modes or data transfer rates, which will lead to constant connection interruptions.
Both devices must be within range of a strong signal. If one computer is in a distant room behind three load-bearing walls, file transfer speeds may drop to critically low levels, rendering network use pointless. Ideally, the distance between the points indoors should not exceed 10-15 meters, although modern standards Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) And Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) provide more stable communication over long distances.
It's also important to ensure that discovery is enabled on both computers. In Windows, this is done through the Network and Sharing Center. If the network profile is set to "Public," the system automatically hides the computer from other devices for security reasons, so the first step is always to change the network type to "Private."
Setting up a network via a router: a basic scenario
The most common and easiest way to connect two PCs is to use an existing wireless router. In this case, the computers act as clients, receiving IP addresses from the router's DHCP server. The main requirement is that both devices must be connected to the same wireless network (SSID).
Once connected, you need to change the network profile to "Private." To do this in Windows 10 and 11, go to Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi, click on your network name, and select "Private" as the access type. This will make your computer visible to other trusted devices on the local network.
Next, you need to enable discovery services. Open Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settingsHere, you need to enable network discovery and file and printer sharing for the current profile. It's also recommended to disable password-protected access if you completely trust all devices on your network, so you don't have to enter credentials every time you connect.
- 📡 Make sure both computers are on the same subnet (usually 192.168.0.x or 192.168.1.x).
- 🔒 Make sure File and Printer Sharing is allowed in Windows Firewall.
- 💻 Assign friendly names to your computers to easily identify them in the network list.
Creating a Direct Computer-to-Computer (Ad-Hoc) Network
If you don't have a router handy, you can set up a direct connection between two laptops or PCs equipped with Wi-Fi. In modern versions of Windows, the classic Ad-Hoc networking feature is hidden, but it can be implemented through the command line or the "Mobile Hotspot" feature, which turns one computer into an access point.
Using a Mobile Hotspot is the easiest method. On the first computer (which will be the server), go to Settings → Network & Internet → Mobile HotspotEnable the feature, select a connection source (e.g., Ethernet or another network), and set a name and password. The second computer should find this network in the list of available Wi-Fi connections and connect to it as if it were a regular router.
An alternative, more flexible method is to use the command prompt with administrator privileges. This allows you to create a network with any parameters. Open the console (CMD) and enter the command to create a virtual adapter. After launching the network on the second PC, you'll need to find the network name you created and enter the password you set.
netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=MyLocalNet key=Password123
netsh wlan start hostednetwork
⚠️ Attention: When using hotspot or Ad-Hoc mode, the second computer will not have Internet access unless the first device has "Allow other network users to connect through my Internet connection" enabled in the primary adapter properties.
☑️ Pre-launch testing of the direct network
Configuring shared access to folders and resources
Once the devices are successfully connected, you need to configure the resources you want to share. Simply having a network isn't enough—you need to explicitly tell the operating system which directories are accessible to other users. To do this, create a folder, right-click it, and select Properties → Access → Advanced settings.
In the window that opens, check the "Share this folder" box. Click the "Permissions" button to fine-tune the permissions. For ease of use on a home network, you can grant the "Everyone" group full access (read, write, and modify), but in an office environment, it's best to limit this to read-only access or access for specific accounts.
Don't forget to also go to the "Security" tab in the folder properties. It often happens that network access is allowed, but NTFS (file system) permissions block access. Add the "Everyone" user or a specific user to the list of groups and users and grant them the necessary read and write permissions.
Troubleshooting visibility and connectivity issues
Even with proper configuration, users often encounter a situation where computers cannot see each other in the network environment. One of the most common causes is a disabled discovery service. In Windows 10 and 11, this is handled by services Function Discovery Resource Publication And Function Discovery Provider Host.
To activate them, click Win + R, enter services.msc and find the specified services in the list. Set the startup type to "Automatic" and start them. After restarting the service, the computer should become visible on the network within a few minutes.
Another common issue is time synchronization issues or the use of different SMB protocols. Ensure that the date and time on both computers are set to the same value (the difference should not exceed 5 minutes). Also, ensure that SMB 1.0 support is enabled (although less secure, it is sometimes required for older devices) or disabled if it conflicts with newer security standards.
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| The PC is not visible on the network | The publishing service is disabled | Launch Function Discovery Resource Publication |
| Password prompt upon login | Password protection is enabled | Disable in advanced sharing options |
| File transfer errors | Antivirus is blocking the port | Add the network to the firewall exceptions |
| Low speed | 2.4 GHz band | Switch to 5 GHz or check the channel load |
Security and speed optimization
An open local network carries certain risks, especially if you're in an apartment building or an office with guests. An intruder connected to your Wi-Fi could gain access to shared folders. Therefore, it's critical to use a strong Wi-Fi password and regularly update your router's firmware.
To optimize the speed of transferring large amounts of data, you can disable file content indexing during searches if it's not required. You should also ensure that your computers aren't running background downloads that could clog up your bandwidth. Protocol Usage SMB 3.0 (enabled by default in Windows 10/11) provides traffic encryption and better performance than legacy versions.
If you frequently use the network to access the same resources, it makes sense to map the network folder as a network drive. This will allow you to access files on the remote computer as if they were a local drive (e.g., Z:), making it easier to work with documents and projects.
⚠️ Attention: Windows settings interfaces may vary slightly depending on the update version (21H2, 22H2, etc.). If you don't find the menu item, use the search in settings or the command
controlto call the classic control panel.
How to map a network drive?
Open "This PC," right-click on an empty space, and select "Map network drive." Enter the path to the folder in the format \\ComputerName\Folder or \\IPAddress\Folder.
Questions and Answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to connect computers if one has Windows 10 and the other has Windows 7?
Yes, this is possible, but it will require additional configuration. On Windows 10, you may need to enable SMB 1.0 support (via "Turn Windows features on or off"), as Windows 7 uses older protocols by default. Also, make sure network discovery is enabled on both PCs.
Why am I constantly asked for a login and password when connecting?
This is a standard Windows security measure. To remove the prompt, go to "Advanced sharing settings" under "All networks" and select "Turn off password-protected sharing." After that, you'll be able to sign in automatically.
What is the maximum Wi-Fi data transfer speed in a local network?
Speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard and environmental conditions. For 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4), real-world speeds are around 40-60 Mbps. The 802.11ac standard (Wi-Fi 5) can reach 400-800 Mbps under ideal conditions, and Wi-Fi 6 can exceed 1 Gbps, approaching gigabit speeds.
How to find out the IP address of the second computer for direct connection?
On the second computer, click Win + R, enter cmd and in the black window enter the command ipconfigFind the "IPv4 Address" line for your wireless adapter. It usually looks like 192.168.xx. Entering this address into the File Explorer address bar (\\192.168.xx) will allow access to resources.