How to Create a Local Area Network Using WiFi: A Complete Guide

Organizing data exchange between devices within a single apartment or office is a task that often daunts users, although it is technically quite simple to solve. Modern wireless technologies make it possible to create fully-fledged local area networks Without the need for extra cables, you can access shared files, printers, and media. You don't need to be a system administrator to set up photo streaming from your laptop to your TV or copy a document from your work computer to your home computer.

The basis of such infrastructure is yours Wi-Fi router, which is most likely already connected to the internet and broadcasting a signal to smartphones. All you need to do is properly configure the software on the connected devices so they can "see" each other. In this article, we'll examine the process of creating an over-the-air LAN segment, focusing on the Windows operating system, as this is where access rights issues most often arise.

Before you begin setup, make sure all devices you plan to connect are connected to the same wireless network. This is critical: if your laptop is on the guest Wi-Fi and your desktop is on the main Wi-Fi, they won't be able to exchange data directly. It's also worth checking that the client device isolation feature isn't enabled on your router. This feature is often enabled by default in public areas, but can be accidentally enabled at home as well.

Checking the equipment and preparing the router

The first step is to diagnose the current state of your wireless infrastructure. You need to make sure that router The router is functioning correctly and assigning IP addresses to all connected devices. Access the router's web interface by entering its address (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) in your browser. In the Wireless Status section, you'll see a list of connected clients. If all your devices are listed and have IP addresses from the same subnet (e.g., 192.168.1.X), then the physical layer of the network is ready to work.

Particular attention should be paid to the frequency range. If your router is dual-band and broadcasts 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz signals under different names (SSIDs), make sure the devices are connected to one of the networks, although modern routers often combine them into a single logical network. However, for maximum transfer speeds for large files, it's preferable to use a different frequency range. 5 GHz, as it provides higher throughput, which is critical for local data exchange.

⚠️ Note: Some providers offer equipment with hidden settings or limited functionality. If you can't find the LAN or Wireless settings in the interface, contact your provider's technical support to clarify the capabilities of your router model.

For the stable operation of the local network, it is also important that devices receive addresses automatically through DHCP serverStatic IP addresses can be assigned manually, but this requires greater care to avoid addressing conflicts. For most home scenarios, automatic address assignment is the optimal and simplest solution, eliminating the risk of user input errors.

Setting up a network profile in Windows

After confirming the physical connection, you need to proceed to the operating system's software configuration. By default, Windows considers new networks to be public, which implies a high level of security and prevents discovery by other devices. You need to change the network profile to "Private" to make the computer visible in the local environment. This can be done through the network and internet settings menu.

Open the Start menu, go to Settings (the gear icon), and select Network & Internet. In the list on the left, select Wi-Fi (or Ethernet if some devices are connected via cable), then click the name of your active wireless network. In the window that opens, find the network profile switch and set the value "Private"This action will remove basic firewall restrictions that block incoming connections from trusted devices.

Next, check your sharing settings. Go to Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settings. This will open a list of profiles. Make sure the following options are enabled in the "Private" section:

• 📡 Turn on network discovery (allows the computer to see other devices).
• 📂 Enable file and printer sharing (opens access to resources).
• 🔐 Allow Windows to manage HomeGroup connections (optional, but useful).

Don't forget to disable password protection if you want to allow access to folders without entering your account login and password. This option is located at the very bottom of the advanced sharing settings page under "All Networks." However, keep in mind that in apartment buildings with poor signal isolation, this could theoretically allow your neighbors to access your data, although in practice, it will be difficult for them to break through WPA2/WPA3 Wi-Fi encryption.

Sharing folders and setting access rights

Once the network settings are complete, it's time to select the resources you want to share. You can share an entire drive or a specific folder containing documents or media files. To do this, create a new folder or select an existing one, right-click it, and select "Properties." The "Sharing" tab is the one you're interested in.

Click the "Advanced Settings" button and check the "Share this folder" box. Below is the "Permissions" button, which opens the user permissions window. Here you can fine-tune who can do what with files. By default, the "Everyone" group is selected, but permissions are often limited to read-only. For full local network functionality, such as saving scans from an MFP or recording video from a camera, full access may be required.

There's also a second level of protection—the "Security" tab in the folder's properties. Even if you've enabled network access, NTFS may block read access at the file system level. Make sure the "Everyone" user (or the specific user you're logged in as on another PC) with the appropriate permissions is listed in the list of groups and users on this tab. Without this step, you may receive a "No access rights" error when attempting to access the folder, even if the network settings are correct.

Connecting to network resources

Once the folder is shared on one computer, you need to find and connect it on another device. The easiest way is to open File Explorer and go to the "Network" section in the left menu. If network discovery is working correctly, you'll see the name of the server computer. Double-clicking it will open a list of available folders. However, sometimes Windows doesn't display computers in the list, in which case you'll have to use the direct path.

To connect directly, find the IP address of the computer where the shared folder is located. This can be done by opening a command prompt (cmd) on the server and entering the command ipconfigFind the IPv4 address line. On the client computer, press the key combination Win + R, enter two backslashes and the IP address, for example: \\192.168.1.55If everything is configured correctly, a window with available resources will open.

For easy, ongoing use, you can map a network folder as a separate network drive. This will allow you to work with remote files as if they were on your hard drive (for example, as drive Z:). In File Explorer, click "This PC," then select "Computer" → "Map Network Drive" from the top menu. Specify the drive letter and path to the folder. If prompted for credentials, enter the username and password for the computer account where the folder is located.

⚠️ Note: When mapping a network drive with a password, Windows may store this information. If you change the password on the server, you will need to re-enter the information on the client PC using the Credential Manager in Control Panel.

Setting up DLNA for multimedia

If your goal isn't just to transfer documents, but to watch movies or listen to music on a Smart TV, game console, or media player, classic network sharing (SMB) may not be the most convenient. This is where technology comes in. DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance). It allows you to stream content directly, controlling playback with your TV remote, without having to copy files.

In Windows 10 and 11, DLNA functionality is built into the default "Media Streaming Settings" app. You can find it by searching in the Start menu. In the window that opens, click "Turn on media streaming." The system will prompt you to select devices that are allowed to access content. You can allow access to all devices on the network or select specific TVs and set-top boxes from a list.

Why can't the TV watch movies?

Often, the problem lies in the file format. TVs may not support certain codecs (for example, DTS audio or HEVC video), even if the network is configured correctly. Files may also have too high a bitrate for the Wi-Fi channel, causing playback delays.

Once this feature is enabled, the default "Videos," "Music," and "Pictures" folders become accessible over the network. An item corresponding to your PC will appear in the TV's Input menu. Once there, you'll see the folder structure and be able to play content. For more flexible control, such as adding subtitles or creating playlists, you can install a third-party DLNA server, such as Universal Media Server or Plex, which have a more advanced setup interface.

Diagnostics and problem solving

Despite its apparent simplicity, creating a local network via Wi-Fi can encounter a number of technical obstacles. The most common issue is computers not being able to see each other. In 90% of cases, this is due to the "Public" network profile or blocked Windows services. Check if the "SSDP Discovery Resource Publishing" and "SSDP Discovery Manager" services are running. You can find them by entering services.msc in the Run window.

Another common cause of failures is a different SMB protocol level. Older devices (such as 5-7 year-old TVs or NAS devices) use the SMBv1 protocol, which is disabled by default in modern versions of Windows for security reasons. If you need to connect to such a device, you'll need to manually enable SMB 1.0 support using "Turn Windows features on or off," but this should only be done on a trusted network.

It's also worth considering the impact of Wi-Fi band on speed. If you plan to work with large files (4K video, disk images), 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi speeds may be less stable. Ideally, use a wired connection (LAN) to the router for desktop PCs and Smart TVs, reserving Wi-Fi for mobile devices only. This will create a hybrid network that will be faster and more stable than a purely wireless one.

Why does it ask for a password when I log into the network, even though I disabled it?

This happens because old Windows credentials are cached. Go to Control Panel → Credential Manager → Windows Credentials. Find the address of your network resource (IP address or computer name) and delete the saved entry. The system will then prompt you for a password again, and you can log in as a guest or enter the current credentials.

Is it possible to connect computers into a network if they are connected to different routers?

In a standard home configuration, no, unless the routers are configured specifically (bridge mode or static routing). Typically, each router creates its own subnet. For devices to see each other, they must be in the same broadcast domain, meaning they must be connected to the same router or a system of routers configured as a single network.

Is it safe to keep folder sharing enabled all the time?

If you're in a private home or apartment with a strong Wi-Fi password (WPA2/WPA3), the risks are minimal. However, if you frequently connect to public Wi-Fi networks (cafes, airports), always select the "Public Network" profile when connecting so Windows automatically hides your computer from other users.