How to Connect Two PCs via Wi-Fi: A Complete Guide

Creating a wireless local area network between two computers is a challenge faced by many users who want to quickly share large files or play online games. Modern routers allow you to set up such a connection in minutes, provided you know the necessary system settings. Unlike a wired connection, a wireless connection requires more careful security configuration and the correct network profiles.

The setup process varies greatly depending on the operating system version and the type of hardware used. Local area network An over-the-air (LAN) connection operates on the same principles as a wired connection, but has its own limitations in terms of speed and signal stability. Proper configuration allows not only data transfer but also the use of shared resources, such as printers or media libraries.

In this article, we'll cover every step of establishing a connection, from a basic hardware check to fine-tuning access rights. You'll learn how to avoid common mistakes that prevent devices from being visible to each other. Proper setup will ensure the stable operation of your home network for a long time.

Checking the equipment and preparing the router

The first step is to ensure both computers are within range of a strong signal. If one of the computers is located far from the router or behind thick concrete walls, data transfer speeds may be critically low. Make sure both devices have up-to-date drivers installed. Wi-Fi adapters, as older versions of the software may not support the required encryption protocols.

Both computers must be connected to the same wireless network. This means they must receive IP addresses from the same subnet, which is usually done automatically with the default router settings. If you're using a guest network on your router, it may isolate devices from each other for security reasons, so switch to the main network.

⚠️ Please note: Some ISPs or corporate routers may have an "AP Isolation" feature enabled, which physically prevents data exchange between Wi-Fi clients.

For stable operation, it's best for both devices to operate in the same frequency range, although modern routers can bridge traffic between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Check the connection status in the system tray: there shouldn't be any restricted access icons or yellow exclamation marks. If the network is marked as "Public," the system will block most connection attempts.

Setting up a network type and access profile in Windows

By default, the Windows operating system considers new connections potentially dangerous and applies strict firewall rules. For computers to "see" each other, you need to change the network profile from "Public" to "Private." This action tells the system that you are in a trusted environment, such as your home or office.

To perform this procedure, go to the menu Start → Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-FiClick on the name of your active network. In the properties window that opens, find the network profile type switch and set the value PrivateThis operation must be repeated on both computers, otherwise visibility will be one-sided or absent altogether.

After changing the profile, the system will automatically apply more lenient rules for Windows FirewallThis will allow pass-through connections for device discovery and file sharing. If you're using a third-party antivirus with its own firewall, the settings may be duplicated in its interface, and you'll also need to allow local networking there.

Enable network discovery and sharing

Even with the correct network profile, data sharing functions may be disabled manually or by group policies. You need to go to Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing CenterOn the left, select "Change advanced sharing settings."

In the menu that opens, make sure the following options are enabled for the current profile (Private):

• 📡 Enable network discovery
• 🖥️ Turn on file and printer sharing
• 🔐 Allow Windows to manage HomeGroup connections

It's also worth paying attention to the "All Networks" section at the bottom of the page. There's an important setting called "Password-protected sharing." If you disable this feature, anyone on your network will be able to access shared folders without entering a username and password. This is convenient for a home network, but it reduces security.

If you decide to leave password protection enabled, you'll need to enter the second computer's user credentials when attempting to access the network. Make sure both computers have passwords set for their accounts, as Windows often blocks network access to accounts with blank passwords.

Setting up static IP addresses for stability

Although the router's DHCP server usually handles the issuance of addresses well, for a permanent local network it is better to specify static IP addressesThis ensures that the computer addresses will not change after rebooting the router, and you will not have to reconfigure the paths to shared resources.

First, find out your current gateway. On one of your PCs, click Win + R, enter cmd and in the black window enter the command ipconfigFind the "Default Gateway" line (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and "Subnet Mask" (usually 255.255.255.0). You'll need this information for manual configuration.

Now let's move on to assigning addresses. Open Network settings → Configure adapter settingsRight-click on "Wireless Network" → Properties. Select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" and click PropertiesSwitch the checkbox to "Use the following IP address".

Enter the information according to the table below. It is important that the last digits of the address are different to avoid conflicts.

⚠️ Important: Make sure the selected IP addresses (the last digit) are not in the range distributed by the router via DHCP, otherwise an address conflict will occur and the Internet will disappear on one of the devices.

Creating a shared folder and setting access rights

Once the computers are visible to each other in the network, you need to create a resource for sharing. Create a new folder in a convenient location, such as on a disk. D:, and name it, for example, "Exchange".

Right click on the folder and select Properties → Access → Advanced settingsCheck the "Share this folder" box. Click the "Permissions" button and ensure that "Full Control," "Modify," and "Read" are checked for the "Everyone" group or a specific user.

Don't forget to also go to the tab Security In the folder properties, you need to add the "Everyone" user and grant them full permissions. Users often forget this step, causing the system to report an access error despite the correct network settings.

What to do if the folder won't open?

If the system requires a password when accessing a folder from another PC and you've disabled password protection, try entering the remote computer's username in the login field and leaving the password field blank. If this doesn't help, enable password protection and set the same logins and passwords on both computers.

Now, to access your files, open File Explorer and type in the address bar \\192.168.1.51 (IP address of the second computer) and press Enter. You will see the shared folder and be able to work with files as if they were local.

Organizing a local network for games and multimedia

Connecting two PCs via Wi-Fi is often used for LAN parties or media streaming. Latency (ping) is critical for gaming, so try to keep both computers as close to the router as possible and operating in the 5 GHz band, which has less interference.

For multimedia, you can use the protocol DLNAEnable it in the Windows Media Streaming app. This will allow you to stream video or music from one computer to another or to a Smart TV without creating shared folders.

If you plan to play older games that don't find servers automatically, you may need to create a tunnel or use LAN emulators over the internet, but for modern titles (e.g. Minecraft, CS:GO) it's enough to simply create a LAN game in the game menu.

Diagnosing and resolving connection problems

If the computers can't see each other, first use the built-in diagnostics. Enter the following command in the command line: ping 192.168.1.51 (the address of the second PC). If you see the response "Timeout exceeded," then there is no connection at a low level.

Windows services are a common cause of blocking. Make sure the following services are running:

• 🛠️ Host Network Provider
• 🔍 Function Discovery Resource Publication
• 📡 SSDP Discovery

You can find them by entering them into the search services.mscFind the listed services, double-click them, and set the startup type to "Automatic," then click "Start." A computer restart is required after these steps.

⚠️ Note: Interfaces and menu item names may vary slightly depending on your Windows version (10 or 11) and installed system updates. If you don't find an item, use the search within the Settings menu.

Also, check if your antivirus is blocking the connection. Try temporarily disabling your antivirus's firewall and testing the connection. If this works, add your local network to the antivirus's firewall exceptions.

Why can't computers see each other in a network environment?

Most often, the problem lies with the "Public" network profile or a disabled discovery service. Also, make sure the computer names (Workgroup) match; by default, it's "WORKGROUP."

What is the maximum transfer speed for Wi-Fi?

Speed ​​depends on the router standard (802.11n, ac, ax) and adapters. Under ideal conditions, 5 GHz can achieve 30-50 MB/s of real traffic, which is comparable to fast ADSL but slower than gigabit cable.

Is it possible to connect two PCs directly without a router?

Yes, this is called Ad-Hoc mode. One computer creates a wireless network, and the other connects to it. However, the speed and stability of this connection are usually lower than with a router.

Is internet required for a local network to function?

No, the local network operates independently. Internet access is only needed to access external resources. You can transfer files and play games even if your ISP cable is disconnected.