Creating a local area network (LAN) within an apartment or small office is the foundation for convenient file sharing, printer sharing, and multimedia server setup. In an era where wireless technologies have become the de facto standard, connecting devices via cable is becoming less important, giving way to flexibility. Wi-Fi connectionsWindows 10 users often need to quickly share a folder or access a network storage device, but default security settings sometimes hide the necessary options.
Organizing such a connection requires understanding not only the operating system interface, but also the principles of operation of network protocols. Microsoft has implemented a number of changes to the security architecture of its products, making the setup process slightly more complex than in previous versions, such as Windows 7. However, if you properly configure the network profile and discovery services, the data transfer process between laptops, tablets, and desktop PCs will be transparent and fast.
In this guide, we'll cover every step: from checking your wireless adapter drivers to fine-tuning group policies. You'll learn how to avoid common mistakes when computers simply don't see each other in the device list. Proper configuration will allow you to create a fully functional infrastructure for work and play without the hassle of unnecessary cables.
Checking network components and drivers
Before attempting complex sharing settings, ensure that the underlying hardware is functioning correctly. Often, issues with device visibility on the local network are caused by outdated wireless adapter drivers or incorrect network services. Open Device Manager by pressing the key combination Win + X and select the appropriate item in the menu, then find the “Network adapters” section.
Make sure your Wi-Fi module displays without exclamation marks and is working properly. If the driver hasn't been installed for a long time, it's a good idea to update it through the laptop or motherboard manufacturer's official website, as standard Windows tools may not support the latest power-saving and security features. A stable connection is critical for transferring large amounts of data, so weak signals or frequent disconnects can ruin all your setup efforts.
⚠️ Attention: Some antivirus programs and firewalls can block network detection even with the correct system settings. If the network still doesn't appear after all these steps, try temporarily disabling the third-party firewall for diagnostic purposes.
It is also worth checking whether the required service is enabled in the system. Click Win + R, enter services.msc and find the "Function Discovery Resource Publishing" service. It must be running and in automatic mode, otherwise other computers won't be able to see your PC in the list of available devices.
Setting up a network profile and discovery
A key feature in Windows 10 is the network profile type, which is assigned when you first connect to Wi-Fi. The system prompts you to choose between "Public" and "Private" networks, and this choice directly affects your computer's visibility. To create a local network, it's absolutely necessary to select "Private," as public mode will prevent you from accessing your network. network discovery Disabled by default for security reasons.
You can change your network type through the Settings app. Go to "Network & Internet," select "Wi-Fi" in the left menu, and click on your connection name. In the window that opens, under "Network Profile," switch the radio button to "Private." This will make your computer visible to other devices and open the necessary ports for local data exchange.
After changing your profile, you need to enable discovery features. Go to Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center and click Change advanced sharing settings. Here, you need to enable network discovery and file and printer sharing for the current profile.
☑️ Network profile setup
Don't forget to also enable the "Let Windows manage HomeGroup connections" option if it's available in your OS version. This will simplify the setup process for less experienced users, although HomeGroup functionality has been deprecated in recent updates in favor of more flexible OneDrive settings and direct access.
Advanced sharing settings
The same advanced sharing settings menu hides many important options that affect the security and accessibility of your data. One critical setting is "Password-protected sharing." If you're in a trusted home environment, you can disable this feature, allowing any device on the network to access shared folders without entering your Windows account login and password.
However, if you have guests on your network or want to increase security, leave the protection enabled. In this case, accessing your computer's resources from another device will require entering the username and password of the account you use in Windows 10. This will prevent unauthorized access to your files if your Wi-Fi key is compromised.
| Setting parameter | Recommended value (Home) | Recommended value (Office) | Impact on safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| Network discovery | Included | Included | Low (visibility only) |
| File sharing | Included | Included | Average (data access) |
| Password protection | Disabled | Included | High (Access Control) |
| 128-bit encryption | Included | Included | High (traffic protection) |
You can also configure settings for guest access and media streaming in this section. If you plan to stream video or music to a TV or gaming console, make sure media streaming is enabled. This will allow rendering devices to recognize your computer as a content source.
Why you shouldn't disable password protection in the office?
Disabling password protection in an office environment creates a massive security hole. Anyone who connects to your Wi-Fi (even through guest access) will have full, unfettered access to your documents, accounting, and internal databases.
Creating a shared folder and setting permissions
Once the network infrastructure is ready, you need to create the resource you want to share. The easiest way is to create a new folder on the disk, for example, and name it Share or Exchange, and set up special access rights for it. Right-click the folder, select "Properties," and go to the "Access" tab.
Click the "Advanced Settings" button and check the "Share this folder" box. In the "Permissions" field below, you can fine-tune what users can do: read files, modify them, or have full control over their contents. For basic file sharing, "Read" and "Modify" permissions are sufficient.
It's also important to check the "Security" tab in the folder's properties. It's common for network access to be open, but NTFS system permissions to block login. Add the "Everyone" group or a specific user to the list and ensure they have read and execute permissions. Without this step, the system may return an "Access Denied" error when attempting to log in.
⚠️ Attention: Granting full rights (control) to the "Everyone" group on system drives or folders containing personal data may lead to the leakage of confidential information or accidental deletion of important files by other network users.
To quickly access shared resources from other computers, you can use a network path. It looks like this: \\ComputerName\FolderName or \\IP Address\FolderNameKnowing this address, you can mount the network folder as a separate drive in My Computer, making working with files as convenient as possible.
Connecting network drives and printers
To avoid having to re-enter the network address each time, Windows allows you to map a shared folder as a network drive. To do this, right-click "This PC" in File Explorer and select "Map network drive." Select an available drive letter and enter the path to the resource.
If you use password protection, the system will prompt you for your credentials. Be sure to check "Remember credentials" so that access is restored automatically the next time you reboot. This is especially convenient for media libraries or work projects that need to be readily available.
Printer sharing is configured in a similar manner. Go to "Devices and Printers," select the desired printer, open "Printer Properties," and enable sharing on the "Sharing" tab. On client computers, the printer will appear in the list of available devices automatically if network discovery is enabled, or you can add it manually using the "Add Printer" button.
Connecting a network printer sometimes requires installing drivers. Windows 10 can often find them automatically through the Windows Update center, but for specific models HP, Canon or Brother It is better to download the full driver package from the manufacturer's official website in advance.
Diagnosing and troubleshooting
Despite careful configuration, situations may arise where computers cannot see each other. The first and most common cause is different subnets. Make sure all devices are connected to the same router and assigned IP addresses in the same range, for example, 192.168.1.xIf one device has an address 192.168.0.5, and another 192.168.1.5, they will not be able to connect without routing setup.
The second common issue is the blocking of the SMBv1 protocol. In newer versions of Windows 10, this older protocol is disabled by default due to vulnerabilities, but some older network-attached storage (NAS) devices and printers require it to function. You can enable it through Control Panel → Programs and Features → Turn Windows features on or off.
It's also worth checking your DNS service. Try pinging the neighboring computer's name using the command line: ping ComputerNameIf pinging by name doesn't work, but it works by IP address, the problem is with name resolution. In this case, it's easier to use static IP addresses or specify names in the hosts file.
Please note that the interfaces and names of some menu items may vary slightly depending on your Windows 10 build version (Home, Pro, Enterprise) and installed security updates. Always consult the latest Microsoft documentation if the standard paths don't work.
Why can't computers see each other on the network?
Most often, the problem lies with the "Public" network profile, which hides the computer from detection. Also, check whether the "Discovery Provider Host" service is enabled and whether a firewall is blocking the connection. Ensure both computers are in the same workgroup (usually WORKGROUP).
How do I find out my computer's IP address?
Open command prompt (cmd) and enter the command ipconfigFind the "Wireless LAN" section and the "IPv4 Address" line. This is your device's address on the local network, which others need to connect.
Is it safe to open public access to a cafe?
No, it's strictly recommended not to enable network discovery and sharing in public Wi-Fi areas. Attackers on the same network could access your files. Always use the "Public Network" profile in such areas.
Is it possible to create a local network without a router?
Yes, you can set up a computer-to-computer (Ad-Hoc) connection or use the Mobile Hotspot feature in Windows 10 to turn one laptop into an access point. However, the speed and stability of this connection will be lower than using a full-fledged router.