Creating a local network between two computers is a fundamental step for any user who wants to share files, documents, or multimedia content without the use of external media. When both devices are connected to one WiFi router, they are automatically placed on the same network, but by default, the Windows operating system blocks visibility of other devices for security reasons. You don't need to run Ethernet cables across the room if your equipment supports wireless connectivity. IEEE 802.11.
The setup process requires careful attention, as modern versions of the operating system, such as Windows 10 And Windows 11, have stricter security protocols than their predecessors. If you configure sharing settings correctly and ensure both PCs are on the same network profile, data exchange will be fast and convenient. This solution is ideal for home offices, LAN gaming sessions, or simply for easily transferring large archives.
It's important to understand that wireless data transfer speeds directly depend on the signal quality and the standard your router supports. If you plan to transfer files tens of gigabytes in size, keep in mind that actual traffic will be lower than the theoretical maximum due to the specific features of the network. TCP/IP protocol and radio interference. However, for most everyday tasks, the throughput of even an average router will be quite sufficient.
Checking physical connectivity and IP addressing
The first step to successfully merging computers is to verify that both devices are actually on the same network. Connect the first and second computers to your WiFi router using the same wireless network. Make sure the connection icon is visible on both screens and there are no messages about limited availability. If one PC is connected via cable and the other via wireless, that's also acceptable, as long as the same router is distributing the addresses.
Now we need to find out IP addresses, which the router assigned to each device. This can be done via the command line, which is the most reliable diagnostic method. Open the Start menu, enter cmd and press Enter. In the black window that appears, enter the command ipconfig and find the line "IPv4 address". It usually looks like this 192.168.0.X or 192.168.1.X.
Write down the addresses of both computers, as you'll need them to manually configure access if automatic discovery doesn't work. Also, note the "Default Gateway"—this is your router's address. If the addresses on different computers start with different numbers (for example, 192.168.0.5 And 10.0.0.12), which means they are on different subnets and will not be able to directly "see" each other without changing the router settings.
⚠️ Important: If your internet provider provides a static IP address or requires PPPoE configuration, ensure that your local network is configured correctly and does not conflict with the router's WAN port. In rare cases, your provider's settings may block local traffic between LAN ports.
For ease of use, you can assign IP addresses to devices in the router settings so they don't change after each reboot. This feature is often called DHCP Reservation Or "Static DHCP." Find the list of connected clients in the router interface, select the desired MAC addresses, and assign them permanent IP addresses. This will save you from having to recheck the addresses each time.
Setting up a network profile in Windows
The Windows operating system divides all connected networks into two main types: "Private" and "Public." For computers to discover each other, the current profile must be set to "Private." In "Public" mode, the system hides your PC from other devices, treating you as if you were in a cafe or airport, where strangers shouldn't have access to your data.
You can change the network type through the system settings. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Status (or "Wi-Fi" or "Ethernet" depending on your Windows version). Click on the name of your connection and under "Network Profile," select "Private." This procedure must be repeated on both computers you want to connect.
After changing your profile, the system may prompt you to allow discovery of other devices. Accept this prompt to enable the necessary services. If you are using older versions of Windows, such as Windows 7, the concept of "HomeGroup" was used there, but in modern versions this was abandoned in favor of more flexible sharing settings.
- 🔹 Open "Settings" via the Start menu or a keyboard shortcut
Win + I. - 🔹 Go to the "Network and Internet" section and select your active connection.
- 🔹 Set the switch to the "Private" position.
- 🔹 Repeat the steps on the second computer.
It's worth noting that corporate networks may have their own security policies that force the "Public" profile or block changes to these settings. In this case, you'll need administrator rights or the intervention of your organization's system administrator. Home networks typically don't have such restrictions, and switching is instant.
Enabling Sharing and Discoverability
Even with the correct network profile, file sharing features may be disabled at the operating system level. You need to go to the "Network and Sharing Center" and select "Change advanced sharing settings." This section contains key switches that control the computer's visibility and file sharing capabilities over the network.
Enable "Turn on network discovery" and check "Turn on automatic configuration of connecting network devices." This will allow computers to automatically find each other and appear in the list of available devices. You must also enable "File and Printer Sharing"; without it, data transfer will be impossible.
☑️ Check access settings
The "Password-protected sharing" option deserves special attention. If you enable this feature, when attempting to access folders on a second computer, the system will prompt you for the login and password of the user account that exists on the remote computer. For a home network where all users trust each other, this option is often disabled to simplify access, but from a security perspective cybersecurity It's better to leave it enabled and use the same credentials on both PCs.
| Parameter | Recommended value (Home) | Recommended value (Office) | Impact on safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| Network discovery | Included | Included | Average (online visibility) |
| File sharing | Included | Included | High (data access) |
| Password protection | Disabled (for convenience) | Enabled (required) | Critical (protection from unauthorized access) |
| Home groups | Not used | Not used | Low (function deprecated) |
After making all changes, be sure to click the "Save Changes" button at the bottom of the page. Sometimes it takes a few minutes or even a system reboot for the new settings to take effect and for services to update their statuses. If the computers still can't see each other, check your antivirus software to see if it's blocking local connections.
Advanced settings via Control Panel
Sometimes the default settings in the "Settings" menu aren't applied correctly due to registry errors or cached old configurations. In this case, it's best to use the classic Control Panel. Enter "Settings" in the search bar. control and launch the application, then go to "Network and Internet" → "Network and Sharing Center".
Here you can check the connection status in more detail. Click on the name of your WiFi connection and select "Properties." Make sure "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" and "SMB 1.0/CIFS Protocol" are checked in the list of components (although the latter is best enabled only if you need to support very old devices, as it has vulnerabilities). For modern networks, the standard protocol stack is sufficient.
Why do we need the SMB 1.0 protocol?
The SMB 1.0 protocol is a legacy file sharing standard used in Windows XP and earlier versions. It has known security vulnerabilities (such as the EternalBlue vulnerability). Enable it only if you need to connect a modern PC to a very old network-attached storage (NAS) device or a computer running Windows XP/2003. For connecting two PCs running Windows 10/11, it is not required and should be disabled.
You can also manually enter DNS servers in the connection properties if the router's automatic settings aren't working correctly. However, to create a simple local network between two computers, leaving all fields set to "Obtain an IP address automatically" and "Obtain DNS server address automatically" is usually sufficient.
If you use third-party firewalls (for example, from Kaspersky, ESET or Norton), they can take control of the network profile. In this case, Windows settings may be ignored. Go to your antivirus settings and find the "Network" or "Firewall" section. There, you need to allow the local network and devices marked as trusted.
Organizing shared folders and accessing resources
Once the network is configured, you need to create a file access point. Select the folder you want to share with the second computer. Right-click it, select "Properties," and go to the "Sharing" tab. Click "Advanced" and check "Share this folder."
In the "Permissions" menu, you can configure which actions other users can access. For complete freedom of action (read, write, modify, delete), select the "Everyone" group or a specific user and check "Full Control." If you only want to stream movies or music, leave "Read" only.
There's also a "Security" tab in the folder properties. Make sure "Everyone" (or the user you're logging in as from another PC) is listed in the groups and users list with read and execute permissions. It often happens that network access is allowed, but NTFS file system permissions block access.
- 📁 Right-click on the folder → Properties → Access.
- 📁 Click "Advanced settings" and turn on sharing.
- 📁 In Permissions, add the user "Everyone" with full rights.
- 📁 Check the "Security" tab to make sure you have the appropriate rights.
To access a shared folder from another computer, open Explorer and enter the address of the first PC in the address bar in the format \\192.168.1.X (where X is the IP address of the first computer). If everything is configured correctly, you will see a list of shared folders and will be able to work with them as if they were local.
Diagnostics and problem solving
Despite this seemingly simple setup, users often encounter problems with computers not being able to see each other. One of the most common causes is a disabled "Function Discovery Resource Publishing" service. Click Win + R, enter services.msc and find this service in the list. Set the startup type to "Automatic" and start it.
The issue may also be related to different SMB protocol versions. In newer versions of Windows 10 and 11, SMB 1.0 is disabled by default, but sometimes you need to explicitly enable SMB 2/3 support. Check if "SMB file sharing support" is enabled in Windows Features. To do this, go to "Control Panel" → "Programs and Features" → "Turn Windows features on or off."
⚠️ Note: Windows settings interfaces may differ depending on the update version (21H2, 22H2, etc.). If you can't find a setting, use the search within the Settings menu or refer to the official Microsoft documentation for your specific OS build.
Another important factor is the time on both computers. If the system time on both computers differs by more than 5 minutes, the Kerberos authentication protocol may block the connection. Synchronize the time on both devices via the internet to avoid access errors.
Local network security
By sharing files, you potentially compromise your system's security. Make sure your WiFi router is protected with a strong password and uses encryption. WPA2 or WPA3Older encryption standards like WEP are easily cracked, allowing an attacker connected to your WiFi to access shared folders.
If you live in an apartment building with multiple neighboring networks, it's recommended not to use the "Public Networks" profile for your home WiFi, but also not to open ports on your router for external access (WAN) unless absolutely necessary. Your local network should remain local.
Regularly update your router firmware and computer operating systems. Manufacturers are constantly patching vulnerabilities that could lead to unauthorized access. --WIDGET:spoiler:Is it possible to transfer files without setting up a network?:Yes, for one-time transfers of large files, it's easier to use cloud services (Google Drive, Yandex.Disk) or create a temporary access point on one of your laptops, but for continuous use, a full-fledged local network is more convenient and faster.-->
Why can't the second computer see the first one on the network?
Most often, the problem lies with the "Public" network profile on one of the devices or a disabled discovery service. Also, check whether your antivirus or Windows Firewall is blocking the connection. Make sure both computers are on the same subnet (the first three digits of the IP address must match).
How to find out the IP address of another computer?
On the second computer, open the command prompt (cmd) and enter the command ipconfigFind the IPv4 address line. You can also find the address in the router interface's DHCP Client List.
Do I need to turn off the Internet for the local network to work?
No, the internet isn't required for a local network to function via a router, but there's no need to turn it off either. Computers will communicate with each other through the router regardless of whether they have access to the global network. The router simply acts as a switch.
Is it possible to play online via WiFi?
Yes, many games support LAN (local area network) mode. However, for online games with low ping, WiFi can be unstable. For competitive shooters, a cable connection is better, but for co-op modes, WiFi is perfectly fine.
Why does it ask for a password when I try to access it, even though I didn’t set one?
This works with "Password-protected sharing." Either disable this feature in the advanced sharing settings, create identical accounts with the same password on both computers, or enter the account information for the folder owner when prompted.