How to Connect Two PCs to Each Other via WiFi: A Complete Guide

In today's digital world, the need to quickly transfer large amounts of data between computers arises regularly. Users often find themselves in situations where they need to transfer gigabytes of videos, photos, or backups, but external drives are either too slow or simply unavailable. Cloud storage isn't always effective in such cases due to internet speed limitations. This is where a local area network (LAN) using a wireless protocol comes in handy.

Connecting two PCs via WiFi allows you to create a fully functional local environment where devices can see each other without unnecessary wires. This solution is ideal for laptops and desktop computers equipped with wireless modules. Properly setting up this connection will not only speed up file sharing but also open up access to online gaming and shared peripherals.

In this article, we'll cover every step of establishing a connection in detail: from checking the hardware to configuring access rights in the Windows operating system. You'll learn how to avoid common mistakes that often block computers from being visible on the network and how to ensure the security of transmitted data. Follow our step-by-step instructions to transform disparate devices into a single, functioning system.

Hardware testing and equipment preparation

The first and most important step is to ensure that your computers are physically capable of supporting a wireless connection. To establish a connection, both devices must be equipped with Wi-Fi adaptersIn laptops, this module is built in by default, while desktop PCs may require the installation of an external USB receiver or an internal PCI-E card. Without an active wireless interface at both ends of the channel, communication is impossible.

In addition to having adapters, the signal source is critically important - Wi-Fi routerBoth computers must be connected to the same wireless network broadcast by the router. If you plan to connect two laptops directly, without a router (Ad-Hoc mode), the procedure will be different, but the classic "star" configuration via an access point is the most stable and fastest.

⚠️ Important: Make sure your Wi-Fi adapter drivers are updated to the latest version. Older software may not work correctly with modern WPA2/WPA3 encryption standards, resulting in constant connection drops.

It's also worth paying attention to the frequency range. Modern routers operate in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. For transferring large files, it's preferable to use the 2.4 GHz frequency. 5 GHz, as it provides higher throughput, although it has a shorter range compared to 2.4 GHz.

• 📡 Check for WiFi indicator on both computers.
• 🔌 Make sure both PCs are connected to the same network (same SSID).
• ⚡ It is advisable to use the 5 GHz band for high speed.
• 🛡️ Make sure that Client Isolation is not enabled on your router.

Setting up a network type and access profile in Windows

By default, the Windows operating system seeks to protect the user's security by assigning new connections to the "Public Network" profile. In this mode, the computer becomes invisible to other devices, blocking the ability to connect two PCs. To change this, switch the network profile to "Private." This tells the system that you are in a trusted environment, such as your home or office.

To perform this procedure, open the Settings menu through the Start menu or using a keyboard shortcut Win + IGo to the "Network & Internet" section, then select "Status" or directly click on the properties of your active Wi-Fi connection. In the window that opens, find the profile switcher and set it to "Private." This will allow the device to be discovered and open the necessary ports for local data transfer.

It's important to configure this setting on both computers. If either device remains in the "Public Network" profile, it will ignore connection requests or block incoming connections. This is the most common reason why computers can't see each other even with the correct sharing settings.

After changing the profile, it is recommended to reboot the network adapter or completely reconnect to the WiFi network for the changes to take effect. The system will apply a new set of firewall rules allowing the SMB and NetBIOS protocols required for the local network to function.

• 🖥️ Open Settings → Network & Internet.
• 🏠 Select your WiFi connection and change the profile to "Private."
• 🔄 Repeat the procedure on the second computer.
• ✅ Make sure the network status has changed in the control panel.

Enabling sharing and network discovery

Even with the correct network profile, file sharing features may be disabled at the operating system level. You need to go to the Control Panel and find the Network and Sharing Center section. This is where you'll find the key menu item, "Change advanced sharing settings."

In the window that opens, you'll see several profiles: "Private," "Guest or public," and "All networks." We're interested in the "Private" tab. Here, you need to enable two key settings: "Turn on network discovery" and "Turn on file and printer sharing." It's also recommended to check the box next to "Allow Windows to manage HomeGroup connections."

Path to settings: Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settings

Be sure to save your changes by clicking the "Save Changes" button at the bottom of the page. Without this step, all selected settings will remain inactive. After applying the configuration, the system may prompt you to add exceptions to the firewall. Be sure to accept this, otherwise external requests will be blocked.

⚠️ Note: In the "All Networks" section, we recommend disabling "Password-protected sharing" only if you completely trust all devices on your WiFi network. This will simplify the connection at home, but in the office, it's best to leave it enabled.

For full functionality, you should also make sure that the services responsible for detection are running. Click Win + R, enter services.msc and locate the "Discovery Resource Publishing" and "Performance Counter Library Host" services. They should be started and running in automatic mode.

• 🔍 Enable "Network discovery" in the Private profile.
• 📁 Activate "File and Printer Sharing".
• 🔐 Decide whether you need password protection (for home use, you can disable it).
• 💾 Save the changes and check the status of the services.

Creating a shared folder and setting access rights

Now that the network is set up, you need to create a location where the files will be stored for sharing. You can use any existing folder or create a new one, for example, on a disk. D: named "Exchange." Right-click on it and select "Properties," then go to the "Sharing" tab.

Click the "Advanced Setup" button and check the "Share this folder" box. Below, in the "Permissions" button, configure the permissions. For convenient home use, you can select the "Everyone" group and grant them "Full Control," "Modify," and "Read." This will allow the second PC to not only retrieve files but also write their own.

There's also a "Security" tab in the folder's properties. Make sure the "Everyone" user or a specific user with modification permissions is also listed there. Sometimes NTFS file system permissions block access even when network access is enabled, so checking both is important.

If you want to share an entire drive, the process is similar but requires more caution. Open "My Computer," right-click the drive, select "Properties" → "Sharing" → "Advanced," and enable sharing. However, keep in mind that this gives access to all files on the drive, which may be unsafe.

Connecting to a remote computer and transferring data

Once the folders are shared, let's move on to the most interesting part: connecting. Open File Explorer on the second computer and go to the "Network" section. If the settings are correct, you should see the name of the first computer. Double-clicking it will grant access to the shared resources.

If the computer doesn't show up automatically, you can connect manually using its IP address. Find out the IP address of the first PC (command ipconfig The command line will show the address in the IPv4 line). Then, in the address bar of the second PC's Explorer, enter \\192.168.1.XX (where XX is the address of the first PC) and press Enter.

The first time you connect, the system may ask for your credentials. If you've disabled password protection, you should be logged in automatically. If password protection is enabled, enter the username and password for the user account on the first computer. After successful authorization, you'll see your shared folders and be able to work with them as if they were local.

What should you do if it asks for a password and you don’t remember it?

In this case, create a new user on the first PC with a simple password (e.g., user/12345) and grant them access rights to the folder. Alternatively, temporarily disable password protection in the advanced sharing settings.

For convenience, you can map a network folder as a separate drive. Right-click the folder in Network Neighborhood and select "Map as network drive." Select a drive letter (e.g., Z:), and the folder will appear in "My Computer" as a full-fledged hard drive partition.

• 🌐 Open "Network" in Explorer or enter the IP address.
• 🔑 Enter your login and password when prompted (if required).
• 💾 Copy files as you would on a regular disk.
• 🔗 For permanent access, use "Map as network drive".

Diagnosing problems and troubleshooting connection errors

Despite the apparent simplicity, users often encounter errors. The most common one is "Windows cannot access...". Often, the problem lies in services. Make sure the service Workstation And Server are running. It's also worth checking the Identity Manager service, which is often stopped by default.

Another possible cause is a blocked SMBv1 protocol, which is disabled in newer versions of Windows for security reasons but is sometimes required for older devices. However, for connecting two modern PCs (Windows 10/11), it's better to use SMBv2/v3. Check if the protocol is enabled: search for "Turn Windows features on or off" and ensure "SMB file sharing support" is enabled.

⚠️ Note: Windows settings interfaces may vary slightly depending on the update version (21H2, 22H2, etc.). If you don't find the option, use the search in settings or the Run command.

If all else fails, try temporarily disabling your antivirus and Windows Firewall on both PCs. If the connection is restored after this, the issue lies with your filtering rules. Add a rule for incoming connections on TCP ports 139 and 445.

It's also worth checking if your router has the "AP Isolation" feature enabled. It's designed for hotels and cafes to prevent guests from seeing each other, but at home, it's just annoying. Disable it in your router's wireless settings.

Using the Command Prompt for Advanced Users

For those who prefer speed and precision, configuration can be done via the command line. Launch Terminal as administrator. First, reset the network settings with the command netsh winsock reset and reboot. This often resolves issues with frozen network stacks.

To forward a port or check availability, use the ping utility. Enter ping 192.168.1.XXIf you see the response "Response from...," then there's a physical connection and the issue is only with the software access settings. If you see "Timeout exceeded," check your WiFi connection.

net share ShareName=C:\Exchange /grant:Everyone,Full

This command will create a shared folder named "ShareName" with full access for everyone. This is a quick way to organize sharing without long menu clicks. To delete, use the command net share ShareName /delete.

Using PowerShell gives you even more options. Get-SmbShare will show all current shared resources, and New-SmbShare will create a new one. This is especially convenient if you need to configure the same access on multiple computers using a script.

• 🖥️ Use it ping to check the connection between PCs.
• ⚙️ Team netsh helps to reset network errors.
• 📜 PowerShell scripts speed up mass configuration.
• 🔍 Team net share manages shared resources.

Local area network security during data exchange

When setting up a shared network, don't forget about security. Open access for everyone is convenient, but it's risky if someone else can connect to your WiFi. Always use a strong password on your WiFi router and WPA2/WPA3 encryption. This is your first line of defense.

If you're in a public place or office, never use the "Private Network" profile unless absolutely necessary. Instead, create a separate account on a PC with limited privileges specifically for network access and set a strong password for it. This will minimize damage in the event of a compromise.

Regularly check the list of connected devices on your router. If you see an unfamiliar MAC address, immediately change your WiFi password and scan your computers for viruses. Your local network is a direct path to your files, and perimeter protection is critical.

Also, keep up with Windows updates. Many network viruses (such as WannaCry) spread through vulnerabilities in the SMB protocol. Timely patches close the holes that allow attackers to access your shared folders.

How to find out the IP address of a second computer?

On the second computer, click Win + R, enter cmd and press Enter. In the black window, enter the command ipconfigFind the "IPv4 Address" line in the "Wireless LAN" section. The address you need should look like 192.168.xx.

Why is my computer visible on the network, but folders won't open?

The issue is most likely related to the access rights to a specific folder or your credentials. Try disabling password protection in the sharing settings. Also, check if your antivirus software is blocking the connection, and ensure that the folder has "Read/Write" permissions for the "Everyone" group.

Is it possible to play online games using this connection?

Yes, absolutely. A local area network (LAN) over WiFi is ideal for multiplayer gaming. The main thing is that both computers are on the same network profile ("Private") and the firewall allows the application to access the network. 5 GHz WiFi is quite fast enough for comfortable, lag-free gaming.

How do I turn off sharing if I no longer need it?

Return to "Network and Sharing Center" → "Change advanced sharing settings" and select "Turn off network discovery" and "Turn off sharing." Also, be sure to uncheck "Share" in the properties for specific folders.