Organizing data exchange between computers within the same room is a challenge faced by many users, whether office workers or gamers. Instead of using external hard drives or flash drives, which are prone to loss and have limited speed, setting up a direct connection is much more efficient. Local area network WiFi allows you to transfer gigabytes of files, run online games, and even control one computer from another.
Modern operating systems like Windows 10 and 11 have significantly simplified the setup process by burying complex settings in automatic profiles. However, for a stable and secure connection, it needs to be configured correctly. network profile and detection parameters. In this article, we'll cover all the nuances, from simple methods to creating a full-fledged LAN network.
There are several connection scenarios: through an existing router or by creating a direct computer-to-computer (Ad-Hoc) connection. The choice of method depends on your equipment and goals. If you just need to transfer a few documents, one method will do, but setting up a game server or constant access to files will require a more in-depth approach. system configuration.
Selecting a connection method and preparing equipment
Before you begin configuring the software, you need to decide on the topology of your future network. The most common option is to use Wi-Fi routerIn this case, both laptops connect to the same wireless network, and the router acts as an intermediary distributing traffic. This is the most stable and simple option for home use.
If you don't have a router handy, you can create a direct connection. A laptop with a more powerful adapter or simply the first one in line can become an access point. The second laptop will connect to it as a regular WiFi network. It's important to understand that with this connection, the internet on the second device may not work if it isn't configured correctly. NAT or shared access, but local file sharing will work fine.
⚠️ Attention: When creating a direct access point, the network range will be limited by the power of the laptop's antenna, usually 10-15 meters in direct line of sight, so the devices must be close together.
Make sure both devices have the latest drivers for the wireless adapter. Outdated software may not support access point modes or have security protocol issues. You can check this in Device Manager by finding the section Network adapters.
Setting up a network profile in Windows
The key to making computers visible to each other is the network profile type. Windows considers new networks "Public" by default, hiding your PC from other devices for security reasons. To connect two laptops, you need to change this status to "Private" or "Home."
To change the settings, go to the network settings menu. Click the WiFi icon in the system tray and select the properties of your active network. In the window that opens, find the profile switch and set the value. PrivateThis action will allow the computer to be discoverable by other devices on the same network.
Repeat this procedure on the second laptop. Only after both devices consider the network trusted will they begin to "see" each other in the Network Neighborhood. Without this step, all further attempts to set up sharing will fail.
Enable network discovery and sharing
After changing your profile, you need to allow the system to share resources. To do this, open the Control Panel and go to Network and Sharing Center. On the left, select Change advanced sharing settings.
In the "Private" section (current profile), you need to activate the following options:
- 📡 Enable network discovery (allows you to see other PCs).
- 💾 Enable file and printer sharing.
- 🔐 Allow Windows to manage HomeGroup connections (if available).
It's also important to pay attention to the "All Networks" section. Here, we recommend enabling password-protected sharing if you're at home, or disabling it for easier connection if you're confident the connection is secure. However, for maximum security, it's best to leave password protection enabled and create identical accounts on both laptops.
Be sure to click the "Save Changes" button at the bottom of the page. The system may request administrator privileges. After applying the settings, you may need to restart your network services or your computer for the changes to take effect.
☑️ Checking sharing settings
Creating a shared folder for data exchange
Now that the network is configured, you need to determine which files will be accessible. Create a new folder on the disk, for example, and name it Exchange or Shared_FolderRight-click on it and select "Properties".
Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Advanced." Check "Share this folder." Below, in the "Permissions" button, make sure "Everyone" or a specific user has "Read" and "Modify" permissions if you plan to not only retrieve but also upload files from another laptop.
| Access type | Description of rights | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | You can only open and copy files. | Safe for any data |
| Change | You can add, delete and edit files | For work folders only |
| Full access | Enables changing access rights | Not recommended unless necessary |
There's also a quicker way via the "Sharing" tab (without the word "Advanced"). Select the desired user or "Everyone" group from the drop-down list, click "Add," and select a permission level. This method is less flexible, but faster for one-time tasks.
Connecting to another computer by IP address
Sometimes computers don't immediately appear in the "Network" list due to list refresh delays. In this case, a direct connection via IP address helps. First, find the IP address of the laptop whose folders you want to access.
On the target laptop, open a command prompt (press Win + R, enter cmd and press Enter). Enter the command ipconfig and find the line "IPv4 address". It will look something like this 192.168.1.55Remember or write down these numbers.
On the second laptop, open the Run window again (Win + R) and enter the address in double backslash format: \\192.168.1.55Press Enter. If everything is configured correctly, a File Explorer window will open displaying the remote computer's shared folders.
What should I do if it asks for a password?
If the system requires a password, enter the username and password of the user account on the computer you are connecting to. If you don't have any user accounts or they are different, create identical user accounts (username and password) on both laptops.
Creating a Direct Network Without a Router (Ad-Hoc / Mobile Hotspot)
If you don't have a router, Windows 10 and 11 allow you to turn your laptop into a hotspot. Go to "Settings" → "Network & Internet" → "Mobile Hotspot." Enable the feature and set the network name and password.
The second laptop should find the created network in the list of available WiFi connections and connect to it by entering the password. Once connected, they will be on the same local network, and you can use the methods described above (shared folders, ping, and games).
It's worth noting that in hotspot mode, the first laptop can distribute the Internet if it has one (for example, via Ethernet or a 4G modem), but the WiFi speed may be lower due to the adapter operating in both receive and transmit modes simultaneously.
⚠️ Warning: Some antivirus programs may block incoming connections on your local network. If the connection fails, temporarily disable the firewall or add the network to the exceptions list.
Troubleshooting and Frequently Asked Questions
Even with proper configuration, errors may still occur. Often, the issue stems from different SMB protocol versions or disabled services. Make sure the "Function Discovery Resource Publishing" service is enabled on both computers. Also, check that your antivirus software isn't blocking the private network.
To check the connection, use the command pingOpen the command prompt and type ping 192.168.x.x (the second laptop's address). If you see "Reply from..." responses, then there's a physical and logical connection, and the issue is simply with folder access rights.
If you plan to use the connection frequently, it makes sense to reserve IP addresses in the router settings or statically register them in the adapter properties so that the addresses do not change after a reboot.
Why doesn't the second laptop see the first one on the network?
Most likely, the network profile on one of the devices is set to "Public." Also, check that the Discovery service is enabled and that your antivirus isn't blocking the connection. Try connecting using the IP address using the Run command.
Is it possible to play online via WiFi?
Yes, many games, both old and new, support LAN mode. However, for a comfortable, lag-free gaming experience, it's recommended that both laptops be close to the router or use the 802.11ac/ax standard (WiFi 5/6).
What is the maximum file transfer speed?
Speed depends on the WiFi standard. At 2.4 GHz, it rarely exceeds 3-5 MB/s in real life. At 5 GHz, you can reach 20-50 MB/s and higher, which is comparable to fast flash drives, but still slower than a gigabit cable.