How to connect a laptop to a laptop via Wi-Fi

Modern users often need to quickly transfer large amounts of data between devices. Cloud storage can be slow, and external hard drives aren't always readily available. This raises the question of how to connect a laptop to another laptop via Wi-Fi to create a direct connection. A local network allows for high-speed file transfers, online gaming, or even using one screen to control a second computer.

There are several proven methods for establishing such a connection, and the choice of a specific method depends on your goals and available equipment. You can create a full-fledged local network via a router, set up a direct computer-to-computer (Ad-Hoc) connection, or use built-in Windows screen projection features. Understanding the differences between these methods will help you save time and avoid security issues.

In this article, we'll cover the technical aspects of setup in detail, focusing on IP addressing and shared folders. We'll cover both traditional methods and new features available in the latest versions of the operating system. Windows 10 And Windows 11 offer flexible networking tools that are often underutilized.

Selecting a Connection Method: Network Topology

Before setting up, you need to decide on the architecture of your future network. The most common option is to connect both laptops to a single Wi-Fi router. In this case, the devices exchange data via an access point, ensuring stability and allowing internet access when needed. However, transmission speed may be limited by the router's bandwidth and signal strength.

An alternative method involves creating a direct wireless network (Ad-Hoc), where one laptop acts as a server or access point, and the second connects directly to it. This method is ideal if you don't have a router handy or are in a location where using external infrastructure is impossible. A Wi-Fi Direct connection provides the highest data transfer speed between two specific devices, bypassing external gateways.

The third option is to use the "Mobile Hotspot" feature in Windows. This is a modern version of Ad-Hoc, but it's easier to set up. One laptop distributes Wi-Fi, and the second laptop connects to this network as if it were a regular home network. It's important to note that when using Ad-Hoc or Hotspot, the internet on the receiving device may become unavailable unless Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) is configured.

⚠️ Important: When creating an Ad-Hoc network or using one laptop as an access point, ensure that both devices have up-to-date Wi-Fi adapter drivers installed. Older drivers may not support virtual access point mode, which will cause an error when starting the network.

The choice of method also depends on the operating system version. If one of the devices has Windows 7 If you're using a Windows 10 or earlier version, some modern features, such as Nearby Sharing, may not be available. In this case, you'll have to rely on the classic shared folder setup and static IP addresses.

Setting up a local network via a router

If both laptops are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, half the work is already done. All you need to do is make sure the devices can see each other. The first step is to check the network type. Windows may classify a new connection as "Public" by default, which prevents the device from being visible to others. You need to change the network profile to "Private."

To do this, go to Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-FiClick on your network name and select the "Private" profile. Then enable network discovery. Open Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settingsHere you need to enable the "Turn on network discovery" and "Turn on file and printer sharing" options.

Pay special attention to your firewall settings. Sometimes antivirus software or the built-in firewall can block incoming connections even if network discovery is enabled. If the laptops don't see each other in the "Network" section, try temporarily disabling your third-party antivirus to check.

For stable operation, it's recommended to assign static IP addresses in the local range, although the router's DHCP usually works well. This will prevent the addresses from changing after a router reboot, causing configured paths to shared folders to stop working. Also, make sure SMB 1.0 support is enabled on both computers if you're working with older devices, although this is generally not required for Windows 10/11 connectivity.

Organization of direct connection (Ad-Hoc and Hotspot)

When the router is not available, one of the laptops should act as the coordinator. In Windows 10 and 11, this is done through the Mobile Hotspot feature. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Mobile HotspotSelect the adapter that will be used for internet access (if applicable), or simply leave the default settings to create a local network. Set a password and turn on the toggle.

The second laptop should find the created network in the list of available Wi-Fi connections and connect to it by entering the password. Once connected, the devices are on the same subnet. However, for file sharing to work, you must follow the same steps to enable network discovery as with the router, as the new network will also be marked as public by default.

For more advanced users working with Windows 7 or specific configurations, a method for creating a computer-to-computer network is available via the command line. Command netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid="MyNetwork" key="password" creates a virtual adapter. It is launched with the command netsh wlan start hostednetworkThis method provides more control over network settings, but requires manual configuration of IP addresses.

Laptops must be in close proximity to each other to ensure a stable connection. If the signal is interrupted, file transfer speeds will drop to a minimum or the connection will be lost.

Setting up public access and IP addressing

The key to connecting a laptop to a laptop via Wi-Fi is setting up the IP addresses correctly. In automatic mode (DHCP), the router automatically assigns addresses. However, in a direct network (Ad-Hoc), manual registration is often required. On the first laptop (server), set the IP address. 192.168.137.1, mask 255.255.255.0On the second laptop (client), specify the IP 192.168.137.2, gateway 192.168.137.1 and DNS 192.168.137.1.

Once you've set up addressing, you need to set up shared folders. Select the folder you want to make accessible, right-click, and select Properties → Access → Advanced settingsCheck the "Share" box and configure permissions, adding the "Everyone" user with read and write permissions. Without this step, the second laptop won't be able to access the folder, even if it sees the computer on the network.

Also check the workgroup name. It should be the same on both laptops. By default, this is WORKGROUPYou can change the name in System properties (click Win + Pause/Break). If the workgroup names are different, the computers may not appear in Network Neighborhood, although a direct connection by IP address will work.

⚠️ Important: When manually configuring IP addresses, avoid conflicts. Make sure the address you choose (e.g., 192.168.137.x) isn't automatically assigned by your router if you're simultaneously connected to the internet through it. It's better to use less common ranges, such as 192.168.50.x.

File transfer and screen control

Once the connection is successful, you can transfer files in several ways. The easiest is via Network Neighborhood. Open File Explorer and enter [filename] in the address bar. \\192.168.137.1 (IP address of the remote laptop). If everything is configured correctly, you will see the shared folders. For convenience, you can right-click the folder and select "Map network drive" to make it appear as a separate drive in "My Computer."

Windows 10 and 11 introduce a feature called Nearby Sharing. It allows you to transfer files and links via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct without setting up shared folders. Enable it in Settings → System → General FeaturesWhen sending a file using the "Share" context menu, select the target laptop from the list. This is the fastest method for one-time transfers.

If your goal is not file transfer, but control, use the "Projection to this PC" function. Settings → System → Project to this PC Enable the feature. On the second laptop, press Win + K and select the first laptop. This will allow you to mirror your screen or extend your desktop over Wi-Fi. For game streaming, it's best to use specialized software like Steam Link or Parsec, which are optimized for low latency.

Why isn't SMB transfer working?

Often, the problem lies in a disabled "Server" or "SSDP Detection" service. Antivirus software may also block port 445. Try adding the network to your firewall exceptions.

For professional file management, you can use an FTP server. Installing a lightweight server (such as FileZilla Server) on one laptop allows the other to connect to it as an FTP storage device. This provides more flexible control over access rights and connection logs, which is convenient for regularly working with large archives.

Diagnostics and troubleshooting

Even with proper configuration, errors may occur. If computers can't see each other, first check network visibility. Open the command prompt and enter ipconfigto ensure the IP addresses are on the same subnet. Then try pinging the remote computer with the command ping [IP address]If you can ping but can't see the folders, the problem lies with your sharing settings or firewall.

A common mistake is requiring a password to access your account. To disable it (not recommended for public networks, but convenient at home), go to Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settingsAt the very bottom, find the "All Networks" section and select "Turn off password-protected sharing." This will make connecting easier, but will reduce security.

If file transfer speeds are extremely slow (a few kilobytes per second), check your Wi-Fi range. Make sure both laptops are operating at 5 GHz, if their adapters support it. The 2.4 GHz frequency is highly susceptible to interference and has low real-world throughput. Also, make sure your Wi-Fi adapter drivers aren't using power-saving mode, which can reduce signal strength.

⚠️ Note: Windows settings interfaces may vary slightly depending on the update version (21H2, 22H2, etc.). If you can't find the item, use the search in Settings or enter the command in the Run box (Win+R).

Questions and Answers (FAQ)

Is it possible to connect a laptop to a laptop via Wi-Fi without a router?

Yes, this is possible using the Windows Mobile Hotspot feature or by creating a computer-to-computer (Ad-Hoc) network. One laptop creates the network, and the other connects to it.

Why can't the second laptop see the files of the first one, even though there is a network?

Most likely, the specific folder isn't shared, or network discovery is disabled. Also, check if password protection is enabled: if it is, you'll need to either enter the username and password for the first laptop account or disable it.

What is the maximum Wi-Fi transfer speed between laptops?

Speed ​​depends on the Wi-Fi standard (n, ac, ax) and band. In the 5 GHz band, Wi-Fi 5 (ac) can achieve speeds of up to 300-400 Mbps. In the 2.4 GHz band, speeds rarely exceed 20-40 Mbps due to interference.

Is it safe to disable password protection on a shared network?

On a home network, where you trust all connected devices, this is acceptable for convenience. However, in public spaces or offices, it creates a vulnerability, allowing anyone connected to your network to access your files.

Is it possible to play online games over this connection?

Yes, if the laptops are on the same local network (same subnet), most games with LAN (Local Area Network) support will see each other and allow you to play without the Internet.