How to create a local network between laptops via Wi-Fi

Organizing data exchange between computers within the same apartment or office is a challenge faced by almost every user. Instead of constantly transferring files to a flash drive or using slow cloud storage, it's much more efficient to set up a local networkThis allows you to instantly transfer gigabytes of information, run online games, or even use a single printer for all devices in the house.

Modern operating systems like Windows 10 and Windows 11 have built-in tools for implementing this feature, but their operation often depends on the correct security settings and network profile. In this article, we'll take a detailed look at the process of creating LAN (Local Area Network) without the use of extra cables, relying solely on a wireless connection.

You don't need any specialized network administration knowledge to successfully complete all the steps. Simply follow the steps and carefully check each setup step. The result will be a stable and fast connection between your devices, powered by your home network. Wi-Fi router.

Preparing equipment and checking drivers

Before moving on to software settings, you need to ensure the hardware is physically ready. All laptops you plan to connect must be connected to the same wireless network. If one device is on a guest network and the other on the main network, or one is connected to the 2.4 GHz band and the other to the 5 GHz band with client isolation enabled, the connection may fail.

It's also critical to check the status of your network drivers. Outdated adapter software may not properly support network discovery. We recommend visiting the website of your laptop or network adapter manufacturer and downloading the latest driver for your model. Windows.

⚠️ Attention: Some corporate Wi-Fi networks have built-in client isolation, which physically prevents devices from "seeing" each other. In such cases, creating a local network is impossible without changing the router's settings or changing the access point.

Make sure network discovery is enabled on all laptops. This is a basic feature; without it, the operating system hides the computer from the outside world for security reasons. Checking these settings will take a couple of minutes, but will save you hours of troubleshooting later.

Setting up a network profile and discovery

The first step in software configuration is changing the network profile. By default, Windows often assigns new connections the "Public Network" status, which blocks the device's visibility. You need to change this setting to "Private Network."

To do this, go to the menu Settings → Network & Internet → Status (or simply click the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray). Select your connection properties and in the "Network Profile" section, set the switch to PrivateThis action will allow the computer to be visible to other devices in the trusted zone.

After changing your profile, you need to activate the sharing features. Open Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settingsHere you should enable the following options:

• 📡 Turn on network discovery.
• 📂 Enable file and printer sharing.
• 🔓 Allow Windows to manage HomeGroup connections (if applicable).

Don't forget to disable password protection if you're in a fully trusted home environment and don't want to enter your username and password every time you connect. However, if you're transferring sensitive data over the network, it's best to leave protection enabled and use the same credentials on all machines.

Configuring IP addresses and protocols

In most cases, modern routers automatically assign IP addresses via DHCP, and manual intervention is not required. However, if automatic detection doesn't work, static configuration or protocol verification may be necessary. Ensure that the protocol is active on all laptops. TCP/IPv4.

To check your IP settings, open a command prompt (CMD) and enter the command ipconfigWrite down the default gateway address (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1). All your laptops should have addresses in the same subnet, for example, 192.168.0.X, where X is a unique number from 2 to 254.

If you decide to manually enter addresses, make sure they don't conflict with the router's DHCP range. It's best to reserve static IP addresses in the router's settings, binding them to the MAC addresses of your laptops' network cards.

How to find out the MAC address of a network card?

To obtain the physical address (MAC) of the adapter, open a command prompt and enter the command ipconfig /all. Find the section corresponding to your wireless adapter (Wireless LAN adapter) and copy the value in the "Physical Address" line. It has the format XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX.

Opening access to folders and files

Once the computers have "seen" each other, you need to share resources. Select the folder you want to make available to other network users. Right-click it and select Properties → Access → Advanced settings.

Check the "Share this folder" box. In the "Permissions" menu, you can set the access level: full access (read and write) or read-only. For home use, it's often more convenient to grant full permissions so you can edit files directly from another laptop.

There's also a quicker way to do this via the "Sharing" tab in the folder's properties. Click the "Share" button, select "Everyone" (or a specific user), and add them to the list with the required permissions. Once the settings are applied, the folder will be accessible over the network.

If you've configured everything correctly but still can't access the network, try temporarily disabling the firewall or adding your local network to your antivirus's trusted zones.

Connecting to a network resource

To access a shared folder from another laptop, you need to know the IP address or computer name of the host computer. Open File Explorer and enter the address in the address bar in the following format: \\192.168.1.10 or \\ComputerName.

If the system prompts you for credentials, enter the username and password for the user account on the computer where the folder is located. To avoid entering these credentials each time, check the "Remember credentials" box.

For constant convenience, you can map a network folder as a separate drive. In File Explorer, click "This PC," then select "Map network drive" in the top menu. Specify the drive letter and path to the shared folder. It will now appear in "My Computer" along with your local hard drive partitions.

Diagnostics and troubleshooting

Even with proper configuration, errors can occur. The most common problem is that computers don't see each other in the network list. In this case, try running a ping test. Open the command prompt on one laptop and enter ping 192.168.1.10 (substituting the IP of the second laptop).

If the response is "Timeout Exceeded," communication is blocked at the ICMP protocol level. This is often caused by the Windows Firewall. You need to create a firewall rule allowing incoming connections for the "Private" profile type.

Another common cause is a disabled Function Discovery Resource Publication (FDRP) service. Check its status in the section Services (called by the command services.msc). It must be running and have the startup type "Automatic".

⚠️ Attention: Windows and router settings interfaces may differ depending on the operating system version and router model. Menu item names may vary, but the operating logic (IP addressing, access profiles, firewall) remains the same across all systems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Yes, it's possible. The technology is called ad-hoc or computer-to-computer. However, in Windows 10 and 11, this feature is hidden and requires creating a dedicated access point or using the command line to emulate a virtual adapter. It's easier and more stable to use even the cheapest Wi-Fi router.

Why is the folder readable, but files are not deleted or modified?

This means that you or your network administrator has set the sharing settings to "Read Only." You need to return to the folder properties on the host computer, go to Advanced Sharing Settings, and in the "Permissions" section, check "Full Control" or "Change" for the desired user.

Does creating a local network affect internet speed?

The local network itself doesn't affect the speed of your internet connection. However, if you're actively transferring large files between laptops via Wi-Fi, this takes up airtime on the wireless channel. As a result, internet speed on devices using Wi-Fi may temporarily decrease due to competition for the radio channel.

Is it safe to keep sharing enabled all the time?

If you have a "Private" network profile and a strong Wi-Fi password, the risks are minimal. Windows Firewall blocks external connections from the internet. However, if you frequently connect to public Wi-Fi at cafes, be sure to switch the profile to "Public" to hide your files from prying eyes.