Creating a local area network between computers in an apartment or house is no longer the preserve of system administrators at large companies. In the era of digital media files, document collaboration, and smart homes, the ability to quickly transfer gigabytes of data from one PC to another or display the photo on the TV screen becomes a critical function.
In the operating system Windows 10 The setup process has been significantly simplified compared to previous versions, but it still requires careful consideration of security settings and general access settings. If you want to create a unified digital ecosystem without unnecessary wires, all you need is a working Wi-Fi router and a basic understanding of how local area connections work.
In this article, we'll cover every configuration step, from selecting a network profile to setting up shared folders and troubleshooting common errors that may occur when trying to connect devices. You'll learn how to ensure your devices can see each other wirelessly and exchange data at maximum speed.
Preparing equipment and checking connections
The first and most important step is to ensure a stable physical connection between all devices and the same wireless router. Computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones should all be connected to the same access point. Wi-Fi, otherwise they will be on different subnets and will not be able to detect each other.
Check the router's indicator lights: if the wireless network is active, blinking lights confirm data transfer. Make sure Wi-Fi is enabled on all devices and that you're logged in to the network with the correct password.
A common mistake is connecting one device via cable and another via Wi-Fi, which can result in them being in different frequency ranges (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), which sometimes causes visibility problems, although modern routers usually combine them into one logical network.
⚠️ Important: If you are using a Guest Network on your router, remember that devices in this segment are isolated from the main network and will not be able to see other computers or printers.
To diagnose the current connection status, you can use the built-in command line utility. Open a terminal and enter the command to check the IP address:
ipconfigPay attention to the line IPv4 addressIf the address starts with 169.254.x.x, this means that the device has not received an address from the router, and the connection is not established correctly.
Network profile setup and discovery
By default Windows 10 considers new connections public, blocking your computer's visibility to other devices for security reasons. To allow data sharing, you must change your network profile to "Private Network."
Go to the Options menu (keys Win + I), select the "Network and Internet" section, then click "Status." On the right side of the window, find the "Properties" link under your active Wi-Fi connection.
In the window that opens, select the "Private" option. This will inform the system that you are in a trusted environment and automatically enable the necessary detection services.
Next, you need to enable device discovery. Go to "Control Panel" → "Network and Internet" → "Network and Sharing Center." On the left, select "Change advanced sharing settings."
In the "Private (Current Profile)" section, make sure the following items are enabled:
- 🔍 Enable network discovery
- 📂 Enable file and printer sharing
- 🔑 Allow Windows to manage HomeGroup connections
After making changes, be sure to click the "Save Changes" button. Without this step, all settings will remain inactive, and the computers will not see each other in the list of available devices.
Organizing shared folders and resources
Once the network infrastructure is configured, you need to determine what data will be accessible to other users. You can share any folder on the drive, making it visible to everyone or specific users.
Right-click the folder you want to share and select "Properties." Go to the "Sharing" tab and click the "Sharing" button.
In the window that opens, select “Everyone” (or a specific user) from the drop-down list, click “Add” and set the permission level: “Read” (view only) or “Read and write” (full control).
☑️ Check access settings
For more detailed security settings, go to the "Security" tab in the folder properties. Here you can specify detailed permissions for system groups.
If you plan to transfer files frequently, it makes sense to create a separate root folder, for example C:\Shared, and already inside it organize the directory structure.
⚠️ Note: Granting "Full Control" permissions to the "Everyone" group allows anyone connected to your Wi-Fi network to delete or modify files in this folder. Use this only on trusted home networks.
Also worth mentioning is the "Public Folders" feature. These are special system directories (Documents, Pictures, Videos) that can be globally accessed through the Network and Sharing Center.
Comparison of data transfer methods
There are several ways to share files in Windows 10, and the choice depends on your needs. Below is a table comparing the main methods.
| Method | Speed | Security | Difficulty of setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMB (Shared Access) | High | Medium (depending on password) | Average |
| OneDrive (Cloud) | Depends on the Internet | High | Low |
| Bluetooth | Very low | High | Low |
| FTP server | High | Low (no encryption) | High |
For local transfer of large amounts of data (movies, backups), the most efficient way is to use the protocol SMB Via a shared folder. Cloud services are convenient for synchronization, but they depend on your internet speed.
Protocol FTP requires the installation of additional software or activation of the IIS component, which is only justified for advanced users who need specific access to the file system.
Why is SMB faster than the cloud?
The SMB protocol transfers data directly between devices over a local Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection, without loading the external internet connection or passing through third-party servers. Speed is limited only by the power of the router and wireless adapter.
Connecting network printers and peripherals
One of the most useful features of a home network is the ability to share a single printer with everyone in the family. If the printer is connected to one computer via USB, it can be shared with the others.
On the computer to which the printer is physically connected, go to Settings → Devices → Printers & Scanners. Select the desired device and click Manage, then Printer Properties.
In the window that opens, go to the "Sharing" tab and check the box next to "Share this printer." Remember or create a user-friendly network name for the device.
The printer should be detected automatically on other computers on the network. If not, use the "Add a printer or scanner" button and select "The printer I want is missing."
An alternative is to buy a printer with a built-in module. Wi-Fi, which connects directly to the router.
Diagnostics and troubleshooting
Even with proper configuration, situations may arise where computers cannot see each other. Most often, the problem lies with the Windows firewall or antivirus software blocking incoming connections.
Check Windows services. Click Win + R, enter services.msc and find the Function Discovery Resource Publishing service. It should be running.
It's also worth checking the DNS service. Clear the cache in the command line:
ipconfig /flushdnsIf the problem persists, try temporarily disabling third-party antivirus software (Kaspersky, ESET, Avast), as their built-in firewalls often have stricter rules than the standard Windows Defender.
⚠️ Note: Router and operating system settings interfaces may be updated. If you can't find a specific menu item, use the search for options in the Windows settings window or refer to your router manufacturer's documentation.
To check visibility use the command ping with the IP address of another computer. If the packets pass through, then there's a physical connection, and the problem should be looked for in the access settings.
Questions and Answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to create a network without a router, directly between laptops?
Yes, it's called Ad-Hoc mode or "Computer-to-Computer." This feature is hidden in Windows 10, but it can be configured via the command line (netsh wlan) or by creating a network using "Mobile Hotspot," although the latter option is more geared toward internet sharing.
Why does it ask for a login and password when accessing a folder?
This is a standard security measure. You'll need to enter the username and password of the user account on the computer where the folder is located. To remove the prompt, you can disable password protection in "Advanced sharing settings," but this will reduce network security.
How do I find out the IP address of another computer on the network?
On the target computer, open a command prompt and type ipconfigYou're interested in the IPv4 address line. The IP address can also often be found in the Wi-Fi connection properties under the "Properties" column.
Does network sharing work between Windows 10 and macOS?
Yes, Apple and Microsoft operating systems support the standard SMB protocol. On a Mac, select "Connect to Server" in Finder and enter the Windows PC's address. On Windows, accessing the Mac may require additional permissions in macOS.