How to create a local network between two computers via Wi-Fi in Windows 10

Organizing data exchange between devices within a single room is no longer the preserve of corporate administrators. Today, every user may need to quickly transfer gigabytes of photos, video archives, or game distributions without the need for external drives. Local area networking via Wi-Fi in the operating system Windows 10 — this is the most convenient and modern way to solve such problems, which does not require laying cables.

The main advantage of a wireless connection is mobility and the absence of physical limitations on the number of devices that can be connected. However, despite its apparent simplicity, the setup process often runs into system security restrictions that, by default, block computers from being visible on the network. Understanding how protocols work TCP/IP and Microsoft security policies will help you avoid common mistakes and set up a stable communication channel.

In this guide, we'll cover not only the basic connection steps but also delve into network discovery settings, which are often overlooked by beginners. You'll learn how to properly configure network profiles, manage folder permissions, and diagnose problems if computers stop "seeing" each other. The key to success is the workgroup identity and enabling network discovery services on all nodes.

Equipment check and prerequisites

Before beginning software configuration, you need to ensure the physical infrastructure is ready. To create a full-fledged local area network via Wi-Fi, you will need a wireless router, or one of the computers must support access point mode. Ad-hoc, although using a router is the de facto standard for stable operation.

Both computers must have working Wi-Fi adapters with installed drivers. It's important that the devices are in a strong signal range, as slow speeds or connection interruptions can lead to errors when transferring large files. Make sure both PCs are running Windows 10 or later, as older versions may use legacy SMB protocols, which are disabled by default in newer builds.

• 📡 Wi-Fi router: a working device that distributes the network to which both computers are connected.
• 💻 Adapters: working wireless modules on each of the connected PCs.
• 🔌 Unified network: Both devices must be connected to the same SSID (network name).

⚠️ Note: If one computer is connected to the router via cable and the other via Wi-Fi, they will also be on the same local network, provided that Client Isolation is not enabled on the router.

Make sure your antivirus software isn't blocking local connections. Third-party firewalls often interpret network discovery attempts as an external attack. In this case, you should add the current network to the trusted list or create an exception in the firewall rules for the SMB and NetBIOS protocols.

Setting up the network type and access profile

The first critical step is choosing the right network profile. Windows 10 assigns new connections to the "Public Network" profile by default, which hides your computer from other devices for security reasons. To enable local data exchange, you need to change this profile to "Private Network."

To do this, open the Start menu and go to "Settings" (the gear icon). Select "Network & Internet," then click "Wi-Fi" in the left menu. In the window that opens, click the name of your current connection. Under "Network Profile," switch the radio button from "Public" to "Private."

This procedure must be performed on both computers. Changing the profile activates device discovery services and allows the system to automatically open the necessary ports for incoming connections. Without this step, the computers may physically see the router but ignore each other's requests.

After changing the profile, the system may request confirmation via the user account. This is a normal security response. Make sure the network status is displayed as "Private" on both devices, otherwise further sharing settings may not apply correctly.

Enabling Sharing and Discoverability

The next step is to fine-tune your sharing settings. Windows provides a centralized interface for managing your computer's visibility and resource access. Go to Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center.

In the left pane of the window, select "Change advanced sharing settings." Here you'll see several profiles (Private, Guest, All Networks). Expand the "Private (current profile)" tab and ensure the following options are enabled: "Turn on network discovery," "Turn on automatic configuration of connecting network devices," and "Turn on file and printer sharing."

Pay special attention to the "All Networks" section. This is where the critical "Password-protected sharing" setting resides. If you're setting up a network in a trusted home environment and want easier access, you can disable this option. However, if you have unauthorized devices on the network or are in an office, leaving password protection enabled is a security requirement.

After making all changes, be sure to click "Save Changes." The system will apply the new firewall rules and restart the relevant services. If you don't do this, the settings will only remain in the interface but will not work in practice.

Setting up static IP addresses and a workgroup

Although modern routers handle dynamic address allocation (DHCP) very well, for stable operation of a local network between two computers, it is recommended to assign static IP addresses. This will prevent situations where addresses change after a router reboot, causing network resource shortcuts to stop working.

First, check the workgroup name. On both computers, click Win + Pause/Break or go to "System" in the settings. The default workgroup name is usually WORKGROUPIt should be identical on all devices. If the names are different, change them by clicking "Change Settings," then "Change," and entering the same name.

Now let's get to IP addressing. Click Win + R, enter ncpa.cpl and press Enter. Find your wireless connection, right-click it, and select "Properties." Find "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" in the list, highlight it, and click "Properties."

Please note that the first three digits of the IP address (prefix) must match the address of your router (gateway). If your router has the address 192.168.0.1, then your computers should also have addresses of the form 192.168.0.x. The last digit must be unique for each device and range from 2 to 254.

What to do if IP addresses conflict?

If you assign the same IP address to both computers, one of them will lose the network connection. The system will display a warning about an address conflict. To avoid this, always check what the number you need is already occupied, or choose values ​​in the upper range (e.g., above 200), where the router is least likely to assign addresses automatically.

Expanding access to specific folders and files

After configuring network settings, you need to tell the system which resources you want to share. The contents of your C: drive or the Documents folder won't be visible—this is a fundamental principle of Windows security.

Select the folder you want to share. Right-click it, go to "Properties," and open the "Sharing" tab. Click "Advanced." Check "Share this folder." In the "Share name" field, you can leave the default name or enter a custom name that's understandable on your network.

Next, you need to configure permissions. Click the "Permissions" button. By default, the "Everyone" group is selected with read-only permissions. If you want other computers to be able to write, modify, or delete files, select the "Everyone" group and check "Full Control" in the "Allow" column.

• 📂 Reading: Users can only open and copy files.
• ✍️ Change: add new files and delete old ones.
• 🔒 Full access: full control, including changing access rights (use with caution).

It's also a good idea to check the "Security" tab in the folder's properties. Make sure a user or group with read and write permissions is listed there. Sometimes, the settings in the "Access" tab conflict with the more restrictive rules in the "Security" tab, blocking access.

Diagnosing and troubleshooting visibility errors

Even with the correct settings, situations may arise where computers cannot see each other in the network environment. Most often, the problem lies in disabled Windows services. Click Win + R, enter services.msc and find the Function Discovery Resource Publication service. Set the startup type to Automatic and start the service.

Another common cause is disabled SMB 1.0 support. While Microsoft recommends disabling this protocol due to vulnerabilities, some older devices or specific settings require it. Check this in the "Turn Windows features on or off" section of Control Panel.

⚠️ Note: Windows settings interfaces may vary slightly depending on the update version (21H2, 22H2, etc.). If you don't find the option, search for keywords in the system settings.

For quick diagnostics, use the command prompt. Run it as administrator and enter the command ping 192.168.1.151 (substituting the IP of the second computer). If you receive responses ("Reply from..."), then there's a physical connection and the problem is only with the access settings. If you receive a "Timeout exceeded" response, check your firewall and connection status.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why does the system require a login and password when I try to log in, even though I have disabled password protection?

This is due to credential caching. Try opening Credential Manager in Control Panel, finding the network resource address, and deleting the saved credentials. Also, ensure that both computers are using the same usernames and passwords to log into Windows, or create a new user with the same credentials on both computers.

Is it possible to create a local network without a router, directly between two laptops?

Yes, this is possible by creating a computer-to-computer (Ad-hoc) network or using the Mobile Hotspot feature in Windows 10. However, the speed and stability of such a connection are often lower than using a router, and setup requires more manual steps to register IP addresses.

How to increase file transfer speed over a Wi-Fi network?

Speed ​​depends on the Wi-Fi standard (ac, ax, n) and band (5 GHz is faster and more stable than 2.4 GHz). Make sure both devices are connected to the 5 GHz band. Speed ​​may also be limited by the auto-negotiation settings in the network adapter properties—try manually setting the maximum value.

Is it safe to keep sharing enabled all the time?

If you're on a home network behind a router with NAT and a firewall enabled, the risks are minimal. However, if you're connecting to Wi-Fi at a cafe or airport, always select the "Public Network" profile, which blocks your PC from being visible to other users.