How to connect a local network between two computers via Wi-Fi

Organizing data exchange between two computers is a basic task faced by almost every user working with multiple devices. Instead of constantly transferring files via flash drives, cloud storage, or instant messaging apps, it's much more efficient and faster to create local area network (LAN), operating over the air. This will allow you to instantly transfer gigabytes of video, documents, and games, as well as use the resources of one computer on another, for example, printing on a printer connected to a roommate.

Modern operating systems like Windows 10 and 11 have built-in tools for implementing this feature, but hidden security settings often block the connection out of the box. In this article, we'll detail how to set up a Wi-Fi network between two PCs, troubleshooting common errors and ensuring a stable connection without the need for unnecessary wires.

To successfully complete this project, you'll need a working Wi-Fi router or wireless modules on both computers. It's important to understand that the data transfer speed in such a connection directly depends on wireless interface throughput and signal level. If both devices support the standard 802.11ac or Wi-Fi 6, the speed will be comparable to a wired gigabit connection, which makes this method an excellent solution for multimedia tasks.

Choosing a network architecture: via a router or directly

Before configuring the software, you need to determine the physical topology of your future network. There are two main scenarios, each with its own advantages and limitations depending on the available hardware. Choosing the right connection scheme is the first step to ensuring the stable operation of the entire system.

The first and most common option is a connection via an access point, which is a Wi-Fi router. In this setup, both computers connect to the same wireless network, receiving IP addresses from the router's DHCP server. This is a classic star topology, which ensures stability and allows for the easy addition of new devices, such as smart TVs or network-attached storage devices, to the network as needed.

The second option is useful if you don't have a router handy or are in the field. In this case, one device (a laptop with a Wi-Fi module) creates a virtual access point, and the second computer connects to it as a client. This technology is known as Ad-hoc or "computer-to-computer." While this method doesn't require additional hardware, it can be less stable and often requires manual IP address configuration.

⚠️ Note: When using a computer-to-computer network without a router, the computer creating the network must have an active internet connection (e.g. via LAN or 4G modem) if you want the second device to also have access to the global network.

Regardless of the method chosen, the key requirement remains that both devices be on the same network segment. This means they must receive addresses from the same subnet, for example, 192.168.1.xIf one computer has an address 192.168.0.5, and the other 192.168.1.10, they won't "see" each other without complex routing.

Basic Windows network settings setup

After physically connecting to a Wi-Fi network, the operating system may consider it "Public" by default. In this profile, Windows blocks other computers from discovering the device for security reasons. First, change the network profile to "Private," which will open ports for local communication.

To do this, go to the "Options" menu (you can click Win + I), select the "Network and Internet" section and click on the properties of your Wi-Fi connection. In the window that opens, find the network profile switch and set the value PrivateThis action will allow the computer to become visible to other trusted devices within range.

Next, you should check the uniqueness of computer names. No two devices on the same local network can have the same name, otherwise an addressing conflict will occur. You can check and change the name through the system: right-click "This PC," select "Properties," and find the "Rename this PC" button.

Also, make sure network discovery is enabled on both computers. Open Control Panel, go to Network and Sharing Center, and select Change advanced sharing settings. In the Private profile, enable Turn on network discovery and Turn on file and printer sharing.

Setting up shared access to files and folders

Once the network settings are in order, you can move on to organizing data exchange. Windows allows you to share individual folders, entire drives, or peripheral devices. This mechanism is based on the SMB protocol, which requires proper access rights configuration.

To share a folder, right-click it and select "Properties." Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Advanced." Check "Share this folder," then click "Permissions." Here you can customize who can do what with files: read only, or also modify and delete.

For a home network, it's often more convenient to use the "Share folder without a password" option. It's located in the same "Advanced sharing settings" section under "All networks." However, it's important to remember that disabling password protection reduces security, making your files accessible to anyone who connects to your Wi-Fi.

• 📁 Full access: The user can create, modify and delete files in the shared folder.
• 👁️ Read only: The user can open and copy files, but cannot edit them.
• 🚫 Access Denied: The user cannot see the folder or access it.

If you plan to transfer large amounts of data regularly, it makes sense to create a separate user account with the same password on both computers. This will eliminate constant authorization requests each time you access network resources.

Connecting a network printer and peripherals

One of the most useful features of a local network is the ability to share a single printer with multiple computers. This eliminates the need to constantly reconnect USB cables or purchase a Wi-Fi-enabled network printer. Simply connect the printer via USB to one of the computers, which acts as a print server.

To set up the printer, log in to the computer where the printer is physically connected. Open "Settings" → "Devices" → "Printers & Scanners." Select the desired printer, click "Manage," then "Printer Properties," and then go to the "Sharing" tab. Check the "Share this printer" box and give it a meaningful network name.

On the second computer, go to the Add Printers section and select "The printer I want isn't listed." Select the "Select a shared printer by name" option and enter the path in the following format: \\ComputerName\PrinterNameIf network discovery is working correctly, the system will automatically find the device and install the necessary drivers.

Please note that printing large documents can take time, and the host computer must be turned on and not in sleep mode. Delays in the print queue are also possible if the Wi-Fi channel is overloaded with other traffic.

Direct computer-to-computer connection (Ad-Hoc)

Situations where a router is not available require creating a direct wireless connection. In Windows 10 and 11, the classic ad-hoc networking feature is hidden, but it can be emulated using the "Mobile Hotspot" feature or the command line. This turns a laptop into a makeshift router.

Click Win + R, enter cmd and launch the command prompt as administrator. To create the network, enter the command:

netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=MyNetwork key=Password123

Where MyNetwork — the network name, and Password123 — password. To start the network, use the command netsh wlan start hostednetwork.

After launching the virtual adapter, on the second computer, find the created network in the list of available Wi-Fi connections and enter the password. Important: for network discovery to work, the network type must be set to "Private." This sometimes requires manual editing in the registry or via PowerShell, as new networks are often set to public by default.

⚠️ Note: Some Wi-Fi adapters may not support hosted network mode. If the command returns an error, check your wireless adapter drivers or try updating them to the latest version from the manufacturer's website.

An alternative to the command line is the built-in "Mobile Hotspot" feature in Windows settings. It's easier to use, but may have limitations on the number of clients that can connect and doesn't always allow for the flexibility to configure security settings needed for specific tasks.

Troubleshooting and Error Table

Even with proper configuration, situations may arise where computers cannot see each other. Most often, the problem lies with a firewall blocking SMB ports or with the discovery service. First, try running the command ping to check the availability of the node.

Open command prompt and type ping 192.168.1.X (where X is the address of the second computer). If packets are flowing, there's a physical connection, and the problem is in the access settings. If it says "Timeout exceeded," check whether the devices are on the same subnet and whether your antivirus is blocking the connection.

A common error is a disabled Simple Service Discovery Protocol (SSDP) Resource Discovery Publishing service. Check its status in the Services window (services.msc) and make sure it's running. It's also worth restarting both computers after making all network changes.

Local connection security

By making files accessible, you potentially expand your attack surface. If an attacker connects to your Wi-Fi, they can access shared resources. Therefore, using strong passwords on Wi-Fi and Windows accounts is a security imperative.

It's not recommended to grant access to the entire C: drive or system folders. Share only the data that's truly needed for work or entertainment. Use the principle of least privilege: if a user only needs to watch movies, grant them read-only permissions.

Keep your operating system updated regularly. Many SMB protocol vulnerabilities, such as the infamous WannaCry, exploit holes in older versions of Windows. Modern versions have improved traffic encryption mechanisms, but these must be enabled.

Should I use a guest account?

Guest access is convenient for temporary users, but it doesn't allow for flexible permissions management. For permanent access, it's better to create a full user with a password.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to connect computers if one is on Windows 10 and the other is on Windows 7?

Yes, this is possible, but it will require additional configuration. On Windows 10, you may need to enable SMB 1.0 support, as Windows 7 uses this protocol by default. Also, make sure network discovery is enabled on both PCs.

Why is the Wi-Fi transfer speed much lower than stated in the router specifications?

Actual speed is always lower than theoretical due to protocol overhead, interference in the air, distance to the router, and the number of connected devices. Furthermore, speed is limited by the slowest device in the chain.

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

On the second computer, open the command prompt (cmd) and enter the command ipconfigYou're interested in the "IPv4 address" line. This is the address you need to enter to connect.

Will the local network work if the Internet is disconnected?

Yes, a local network works regardless of internet access. The main thing is that the devices are connected to the same router or directly to each other and have valid IP addresses.