Creating a local area network (LAN) between two computers at home is a challenge faced by many users looking to simplify data exchange. Instead of constantly transferring files to flash drives or uploading them to cloud storage, you can set up a direct connection. This allows you to transfer large amounts of data at high speed, use the resources of one computer from the other, and even play online games over a LAN.
Modern operating systems such as Windows 10 and 11, have built-in tools for organizing such interaction. However, automatic settings are often blocked by the built-in firewall or an incorrectly defined network profile. In this article, we'll cover all the details that will help you reliably connect devices into a single digital ecosystem without unnecessary wires.
To successfully implement this project, you don't need any complex equipment. All you need is for both computers to be connected to the same wireless network broadcast by your router. If you don't have a router, one computer can act as an access point, but the traditional router setup ensures better connection stability and speed.
Hardware and software requirements
Before you start setting up IP addresses To connect to shared folders and other devices, you must ensure physical connectivity. Both computers must be equipped with working Wi-Fi adapters. These can be built-in modules in laptops or external USB dongles for desktop computers. It's important to update your network card drivers to the latest version, as older versions may not work correctly with discovery protocols.
The operating system plays a key role. Although Windows can operate in mixed environments, for maximum compatibility and ease of setup, it's best to use the same OS versions, for example, two Windows 10If you're using different versions, such as Windows 7 and Windows 11, you'll need to configure encryption protocols and shared folders, which can be challenging for beginners.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that third-party antivirus or firewall software is disabled on both computers during setup, as they may block service packets needed to detect devices on the network.
Signal stability is also important. If one of the computers is in a poor signal area, file transfer speeds will be slow and the connection may be constantly interrupted. Ideally, both devices should be within line of sight of the router or no more than one or two walls away.
Network profile setup and discovery
The first and most important step is to change your network profile. By default, Windows often assigns the "Public Network" profile to new connections, making your computer invisible to other devices for security reasons. You need to change this status to "Private Network." To do this, go to Network settings and select your Wi-Fi connection.
In the properties window that opens, find the network type switch. Set the value PrivateThis action will make the computer visible to other devices and open ports for file sharing. Without this step, any further manipulation of shared folders will be useless, as the system will ignore connection requests.
Next, you need to enable discovery features. Go to "Control Panel," then "Network and Sharing Center," and select "Change advanced sharing settings." Here, you need to enable the following options:
- 🔍 Enable network discovery.
- 📂 Enable file and printer sharing.
- 🏠 Allow Windows to manage HomeGroup connections.
After making changes, be sure to click "Save Changes." The system is now ready to interact with trusted devices. If you're using Windows 10 or 11, you should also check the services responsible for discovery. Type in the search bar. services.msc and find services related to Function Discovery, making sure they are running.
☑️ Check network settings
Assigning static IP addresses
For stable operation of your local network, especially if you plan to frequently access resources from another PC, it's recommended to assign static IP addresses. Dynamically assigning addresses by your router (DHCP) can cause the address to change after a reboot, causing links to shared folders to stop working.
To assign a permanent address, open a command prompt or PowerShell and enter the command ipconfigFind the "Default Gateway" line (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1). You need to select an address from the same subnet, but with a unique last number, for example, 192.168.0.55 for the first PC and 192.168.0.56 for the second.
| Parameter | PC No. 1 (Server) | PC No. 2 (Client) | Router (Gateway) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IP address | 192.168.1.50 | 192.168.1.51 | 192.168.1.1 |
| Subnet mask | 255.255.255.0 | 255.255.255.0 | 255.255.255.0 |
| Main gateway | 192.168.1.1 | 192.168.1.1 | - |
| DNS server | 192.168.1.1 | 192.168.1.1 | - |
Configuration is done through the protocol properties. TCP/IPv4 In the adapter settings, select "Use the following IP address" and enter the information from the table, adapting it to your network. This ensures that computers always find each other using the same address.
What to do if IP addresses conflict?
If you see a message about an IP address conflict, it means the number you selected is already taken by another device on the network. Try changing the last digit of the address to a different number (for example, from 50 to 60) on both computers. Make sure the selected range is not in the address pool distributed by the router's DHCP server to avoid future conflicts.
Organizing file sharing
After setting up the network, you need to create a folder whose contents both computers can share. Create a new folder on the disk, for example, and name it ShareRight-click on it and select "Properties", then go to the "Sharing" tab.
Click the "Advanced Settings" button and check the "Share this folder" box. Below, click the "Permissions" button. Here you can fine-tune permissions: allow read-only access, write access, or full access. For a home network, it's common to select full access for the "Everyone" group to avoid write access issues.
It's also important to configure the "Security" tab in the folder properties. Add the "Everyone" user (or All) to the list and grant it read and write permissions. Double-checking the permissions in these two tabs will prevent you from getting an "Access Denied" error when trying to open the file from a second computer.
⚠️ Attention: Sharing a folder on a local network is only safe if you're confident in the strength of your Wi-Fi password. Never share a folder on public networks without a password.
Mapping a network drive for convenience
To avoid searching for a computer in the network environment every time along the way \\PC_Name\FolderThe most convenient way is to map the shared folder as a separate drive in "My Computer." To do this, open "This PC," right-click on an empty space, and select "Map network drive."
In the window that opens, select any available drive letter (e.g., Z:). In the "Folder" field, enter the path to the resource. If you don't remember the exact path, click "Browse" and find the desired computer in the list. Make sure "Reconnect at logon" is checked so the drive is accessible immediately after Windows boots.
The first time you connect, the system may prompt you for credentials. Enter the username and password for the user account on the computer where the folder is located. If there is no password, you may need to set one, as Windows security policies often block logins with a blank password.
Diagnostics and problem solving
Even with proper configuration, situations may arise where computers cannot see each other. Often, the problem lies in the workgroup name. It should be the same on both PCs (by default). WORKGROUP). You can check and change it in the system properties.
Another common cause is a disabled SMB 1.0 service. In modern versions of Windows, it's disabled by default for security reasons, but for older devices or specific scenarios, it may be necessary. You can enable it via Control Panel -> Programs and Features -> Turn Windows features on or off.
If you have a connection but no speed, check your Wi-Fi frequency. If your router is dual-band, make sure both computers are connected to the same band. 5 GHzThe 2.4 GHz band may not provide the advertised speed of a gigabit network, especially in the presence of interference.
Why can't computers see each other on the network?
The most likely cause is different network profiles (one "Private," the other "Public") or ports being blocked by your antivirus software. Also, check that the "Function Discovery Resource Publishing" service is enabled on both computers.
How to increase file transfer speed over Wi-Fi?
Use the 5 GHz band, ensure your Wi-Fi channels aren't congested by neighboring networks, and use Wi-Fi 5 (ac) or Wi-Fi 6 (ax) if possible. Speed also depends on signal strength; if the signal is weak, speed will drop automatically.
Is it possible to connect a PC directly without a router?
Yes, this is called an ad-hoc network. One computer creates a wireless network, and the other connects to it. However, the speed and stability of such a connection are usually lower than with a full-fledged router.
Do all accounts need the same password?
No, it's not necessary. When connecting to a shared folder, the system will ask for the username and password of the remote computer account. You can save this information in the Windows Credential Manager so you don't have to enter it each time.
Is it safe to keep sharing enabled all the time?
On a home network with a strong Wi-Fi password, the risks are minimal. However, if you frequently connect to public networks (cafes, airports), it's best to switch the network profile to "Public," which will automatically hide your PC.