How to connect a laptop to a computer via Wi-Fi: A step-by-step guide with pictures

Connecting a laptop to a desktop PC wirelessly opens up a ton of possibilities: from transferring files without flash drives to sharing a printer or even hosting online games. But how do you set up this connection correctly to avoid errors? "No network access" or problems with device detection? In this article, we'll look into it. three working methods — from simple Wi-Fi distribution from a laptop to creating a full-fledged local network with shared folders.

It's important to understand that the connection technology you choose depends on your purpose. If you simply need to transfer files, a temporary access point will suffice. For permanent data exchange or online gaming, you'll need to set up a connection. IP addresses and access rights. We'll consider all options, including solutions for when the router isn't available or doesn't support the required features.

The article is relevant for Windows 10/11 (including the latest 2026 updates) and most modern laptops (Lenovo, HP, Asus, Acer etc.). If you have MacBook or PC on Linux, the principles are the same, but the menu paths may differ - we will mention this separately.

Method 1: Sharing Wi-Fi from a laptop (if the PC does not have an adapter)

The simplest scenario is when a desktop computer doesn't have Wi-Fi, but you need to transfer files or connect to its resources. In this case, the laptop acts as a virtual router, distributing the Internet or creating a local network.

This method requires:

• 🔹 Laptop with working Wi-Fi adapter (check in Device Manager)
• 🔹 Administrator rights on a laptop
• 🔹 There must be a free port on your PC Ethernet (if you are distributing the Internet) or a Wi-Fi adapter (if you are creating a local network)

Instructions for Windows 10/11:

1. Open Command line as administrator (click Win + X → Terminal (administrator)).

2. Enter the command to create the network:
   

   netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid="MyLaptopNet" key="12345678" keyUsage=persistent

   Here MyLaptopNet — network name, 12345678 — password (minimum 8 characters).

3. Start the distribution:
   

   netsh wlan start hostednetwork

4. If you need to share the Internet from your laptop, open Network parameters → Changing adapter settings, find a new connection Wireless Network Connection 2, right-click → Properties → tab Access. Check the box. Allow other network users to connect through your Internet connection and select the main connection (usually Ethernet or Wi-Fi).

The laptop is connected to the Internet (if you are sharing access)

Wi-Fi is enabled on your PC (or Ethernet if you are distributing via cable)

The network password is written without errors.

Antivirus does not block network connections-->

On your desktop PC, find the network you created. MyLaptopNet from the list of available Wi-Fi networks and connect using the specified password. If the internet connection doesn't appear, check your sharing settings (see Section 3).

⚠️ Attention: After restarting your laptop, Wi-Fi sharing will be disabled. To enable it again, run the command again. netsh wlan start hostednetwork or create .bat-file with this command.

Method 2: Connecting via a router (recommended)

If you have a home router (TP-Link, Asus, Keenetic etc.), this method is the most reliable. Both devices connect to the same Wi-Fi network, and you get a fully functional local network with the ability to share files, printers, and even remotely control them.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔧 Stable connection without interruptions
• 🔧 Ability to connect multiple devices (not just a laptop or PC)
• 🔧 High data transfer speed (up to 1 Gbps on modern routers)
• 🔧 No need to configure IP addresses manually (DHCP does it automatically)

Step-by-step setup:

1. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network. Make sure they receive IP addresses automatically (in Network parameters there must be a regime Obtain an IP address automatically).

2. On your laptop or PC, open Control Panel → Network Settings → Network and Sharing Center. In the section View active networks check that the network type is specified as "Private" (Not "Public"), otherwise public access will not work.

3. Open Conductor, right-click on the folder you want to share, select Properties → Access → Share. Add a user "All" and set the rights (read only or full access).

4. On the second device, open Conductor, enter in the address bar \\[IP address of the first device] (For example, \\192.168.1.100) and press EnterThe shared folder should open.

For convenience, you can pin the network location in Conductor:

1. Open This computer → Network environment.
2. Right-click on an empty space → Add a new item to the network neighborhood.
3. Please enter the IP address or name of the second device (e.g. \\DESKTOP-ABC123).

⚠️ Attention: Some antiviruses (Kaspersky, ESET) block network traffic by default. Add your local network to the exceptions or temporarily disable protection while you configure it.

Method 3: Direct Wi-Fi connection (Ad-Hoc) without a router

If you don’t have a router and can’t create an access point on your laptop (for example, due to corporate policy restrictions), you can organize direct connection by technology Wi-Fi Ad-HocThis is a temporary computer-to-computer network that works without a router.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 The speed is lower than through a router (maximum 54 Mbps on standard 802.11g)
• 🚫 Not all modern devices support Ad-Hoc (especially Windows 11)
• 🚫 No internet access (local network only)

Instructions for Windows 10:

1. On your laptop, open Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Set up a new connection.

2. Select Setting up a wireless computer-to-computer network (V Windows 11 This item may be missing - see alternative below).

3. Set the network name (SSID), security type WPA2-Personal and password. Check the box. "Save settings for this network".

4. On your PC, connect to the created network using the standard Wi-Fi menu.

For Windows 11 or if point Ad-Hoc No:

1. Use Command line (as in method 1), but with the parameter mode=allow:

   netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid="AdHocNet" key="password123" keyUsage=persistent

2. Start the network:
   

   netsh wlan start hostednetwork

3. On the second device, connect to the network AdHocNet.

sudo nmcli dev wifi connect "AdHocNet" ifname wlan0 type ad-hoc password "password123"

networksetup -createnetworkservice "AdHocNet" Wi-Fi
networksetup -setairportnetwork "AdHocNet" "AdHocNet" password123

Once connected, set up folder sharing (as in Method 2). To test the connection, use the command ping:

ping 192.168.137.1

(Where 192.168.137.1 — IP address of the laptop that distributes the network).

4. Setting up static IP addresses (for advanced users)

If the devices do not see each other on the local network, the problem may be in IP address conflict or incorrect settings DHCPIn this case, manually configuring network settings will help.

When is it needed:

• 🔧 Devices are connected but can't ping
• 🔧 Need stable speed for gaming or video streaming
• 🔧 The router does not issue IP addresses (disabled) DHCP)

Instructions:

1. On your laptop, open Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Configure adapter settings.

2. Right click on Wireless Network → Properties → Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) → Properties.

3. Select "Use the following IP address" and enter:

   • IP address: 192.168.1.100
   • Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
   • Default gateway: 192.168.1.1 (if you distribute the Internet)
   • DNS: 8.8.8.8 (Google DNS)

After applying the settings, check the connection with the command:

ping 192.168.1.101

(from laptop to PC and vice versa).

⚠️ Attention: If you are distributing the Internet from a laptop, it must be enabled ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) (See Method 1). Otherwise, the PC will see the laptop, but will not have network access.

5. Troubleshooting connection issues

Even with proper setup, errors can still occur. Let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If the problem persists, check:

• 🔍 Does the Wi-Fi adapter work on both devices (in Device Manager there should be no exclamation marks).
• 🔍 Are the adapter drivers updated (download the latest versions from the laptop manufacturer's website).
• 🔍 Is the connection blocked by a third-party firewall (for example, Comodo or Avast).

Via a router

Sharing Wi-Fi from a laptop

Direct connection (Ad-Hoc)

Haven't tried it yet-->

6. Wi-Fi Security

Using public networks (for example, in a cafe) to connect a laptop to a PC is highly discouraged - all transmitted data (including passwords) can be intercepted. If you need to transfer files over an unsecured network, use:

• 🔐 Encryption: archive files with a password (WinRAR, 7-Zip).
• 🔐 VPN: create a virtual private network between devices (Hamachi, ZeroTier).
• 🔐 SSH/FTPS: Use secure protocols to transfer files (for example, FileZilla Server).

For home network:

• 🔹 Set a complex Wi-Fi password (at least 12 characters, with numbers and special characters).
• 🔹 Turn it off WPS in the router settings - this protocol is vulnerable to hacking.
• 🔹 Enable filtering by MAC addresses, if you want to restrict access only to your devices.

If you share the Internet from a laptop, limit the number of connected devices:

netsh wlan set hostednetwork maxclients=1

(Where 1 — maximum number of clients).

7. Alternative methods of data transmission

If you are unable to set up a Wi-Fi connection, consider these alternatives:

For direct cable connection:

1. Connect your laptop and PC Ethernet cable (any will do) patch-cord).
2. On the laptop in Network parameters set a static IP (eg. 192.168.1.100).
3. Set IP on PC 192.168.1.101.
4. Share the folders (as in method 2).

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions