How to create a local network using a Wi-Fi router yourself

A modern digital ecosystem at home or in the office is rarely limited to a single device. Smartphones, laptops, desktop computers, smart TVs, and network storage devices—all these gadgets require efficient data exchange. Local area network (LAN) allows you to combine them into a single system, providing instant file transfer without the use of external cloud services or USB drives.

Many users mistakenly believe that having a working internet connection automatically means the network between computers is ready to work. In fact, router Often blocks devices from seeing each other for security reasons, creating isolated segments. You'll have to manually enable the appropriate protocols and configure access rights so that devices can "see" their neighbors via Wi-Fi.

Creating such an infrastructure offers enormous benefits: you can stream video from your phone to your TV, play games online, or share a printer across all computers in your home. In this article, we'll explore how to transform your router from a simple internet outlet into a fully-fledged home data center.

Preparing equipment and checking connections

Before proceeding with software settings of the operating system, it is necessary to ensure the physical integrity of the connections. Local area network It won't function reliably if the devices are on different subnets or connected via guest ports. Make sure all computers and laptops are connected to the same router, whether via Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable.

IP addressing deserves special attention. For proper operation, all devices must receive addresses from the same DHCP server, which is built into your router. Typically, these addresses are 192.168.0.x or 192.168.1.x. If one device has a static IP address from a different subnet (e.g., 10.0.0.5), it will not be able to communicate with other network members without manual reconfiguration.

⚠️ Note: Some internet providers use specific PPPoE or L2TP settings that can create virtual adapters. Make sure you haven't confused the WAN connection with your router's local interface when selecting the network adapter in the settings.

Check the indicators on the router case. The indicator is lit or flashing. LAN or Wi-Fi The light next to the corresponding port indicates an active physical connection. If the light is off, try replacing the patch cord or switching to a different port, as a faulty cable is a common cause of devices becoming "invisible."

Basic router setup for local sharing

The central element of your future network is the router. It distributes traffic between devices. Access the router's web interface by entering the gateway address in your browser (often this is 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1). You will need to enter your login and password, which are usually located on a sticker on the bottom of the device.

In the settings menu, find the section responsible for LAN or "Local Network." It's crucial to check the DHCP server. It must be enabled to automatically assign IP addresses to connected devices. If this service is disabled, you'll have to manually assign addresses to each device, which is inconvenient and error-prone.

Also worth paying attention to is the function AP Isolation (Access Point Isolation). This is often enabled by default on guest Wi-Fi networks. If this option is enabled, devices connected wirelessly won't see each other, even if they're connected to the same router. Be sure to disable it. AP Isolation for the main network.

Setting up sharing in Windows

Once the router is configured, you need to prepare the operating system. In Windows, this is done through the Network and Sharing Center. Follow the path Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settings.

Here you'll see the "Private Network" and "Guest or Public Network" profiles. You need to enable network discovery and file and printer sharing in the "Private" profile. This will tell the system you're in a trusted environment and allow incoming connections.

An important detail is password protection. You can leave the "Password-protected sharing" option enabled. In this case, logging into your computer from another device will require entering your Windows user account login and password. If you disable this feature, access to your shared folders will be open to anyone connected to your Wi-Fi.

⚠️ Important: Disabling password protection in public places (cafes, airports) is strongly discouraged. On a home network, this is only permissible if you are absolutely certain there are no unauthorized connections to your Wi-Fi.

Don't forget to also check the services. Click Win + R, enter services.msc and find services related to SSDP Discovery And UPnPThey must be running and set to automatic startup type, otherwise some smart devices may not detect your computer.

Creating and sharing a shared folder

Now that the infrastructure is ready, let's create a place to store shared files. Select the drive or partition where your media library or documents will be stored and create a new folder, for example, HomeShareRight-click on it and select "Properties".

Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Advanced." Check "Share this folder." In the "Share Name" field, you can leave the default name or enter a custom name that will be visible on the network. Click "Permissions" to specify who can do what with the files.

In the window that opens, you'll see a list of groups. For home use, it's easiest to add the "Everyone" group and grant it full permissions (modify, read, and write). However, if you want stricter control, delete the "Everyone" group and add a specific user to your system, restricting their permissions to read only.

What should I do if the folder won't open over the network?

If you see the folder but get an access error when accessing it, try going to the "Security" tab in the folder's properties. Add the "Everyone" user or a specific user and grant them read and execute permissions. NTFS permissions often block access, even if network permissions are enabled.

Once the settings are applied, the folder will be accessible over the network. To check, you can press the keys Win + R on another computer and enter the address in the format \\COMPUTER_NAME or IP addressIf everything is configured correctly, you will see the shared folder.

Connecting a network printer and media server

A local network allows you to not only share files but also use peripherals. If you have a printer without Wi-Fi support, connect it via USB to one of the computers. Go to "Devices and Printers," right-click the printer, select "Printer properties" → the "Sharing" tab, and check the "Sharing" box.

This printer will appear automatically on other computers on the network, or you can add it using the "Add Printer" button. The system will automatically find it on the local network. This eliminates the need to constantly switch USB cables between laptops.

For multimedia content, a great solution is to run a DLNA server. This feature is built into Windows 10 and 11. In the Settings app → Network & Internet → Status, find Sharing Options. Here you can select which folders (Videos, Music, Pictures) will be streamed to TVs and set-top boxes.

Usage media servers Allows you to watch movies stored on a powerful PC directly on your TV in high quality, without having to download them to a flash drive. The TV should see your computer as a media device in the Input/Source menu.

Diagnostics and troubleshooting

Even with proper configuration, situations may arise where devices stop seeing each other. First, check the network type in Windows. If the system has classified your home network as "Public," it will automatically hide your computer. You can change this by clicking the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray, selecting connection properties, and switching the profile to "Private."

The second common problem is antiviruses and firewalls. Third-party security solutions (Kaspersky, ESET, Avast) often have their own built-in firewall, which blocks local connections, deeming them suspicious. In your antivirus settings, find the "Network" or "Firewall" section and set the network status to "Trusted" or "Home."

⚠️ Note: Router and operating system interfaces are constantly updated. The location of menu items may differ from those described. If you don't find an exact match, search for synonyms or consult the documentation for your device model.

Also try resetting your network settings. In the command prompt, run the following command as administrator: netsh winsock reset, and then restart your computer. This will clear the network socket cache and often resolve issues with network services freezing.

If the problem persists, check whether your router is blocking multicast traffic required for device discovery. Some router models (especially Keenetic, Asus, MikroTik) There are separate settings for IGMP and multicast, which should be activated for stable operation of the local network.

Questions and Answers (FAQ)

Is it possible to create a local network if the Internet is disconnected?

Yes, a local area network (LAN) operates regardless of wide area network (WAN) access. The router will continue to assign IP addresses and route traffic between connected devices, allowing you to transfer files and play games online even if your ISP cable is disconnected.

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

The issue is most likely related to NTFS permissions or password protection. Check the "Security" tab in the folder properties and ensure the user has read access. Also, try temporarily disabling password protection in the Network and Sharing Center for diagnostic purposes.

Does Wi-Fi speed affect file transfer speed on a local network?

Absolutely. File copy speed is limited by the slowest link in the chain. If you're transferring a file from a PC to a laptop via 802.11n Wi-Fi, the speed will be significantly slower than if both devices are connected via a gigabit cable.

How do I hide one folder from public access while leaving others open?

When setting up sharing, you select a specific folder. Anything outside of shared folders is hidden from the network by default. Don't share your entire drive; create separate shared folders.

Do I need a static IP address for my server computer?

For stable operation, it's recommended to assign an IP address to the computer connected to the printer or where shared files are stored. This can be done in the router's DHCP settings (binding by MAC address) so that the computer's address doesn't change after a reboot.