Establishing a local connection between laptops without Ethernet cables is a common task when quickly transferring gigabytes of data or sharing a printer. Unlike wired connections, wireless technology eliminates the clutter of cables and allows you to move around the room while maintaining access to shared resources. However, for beginners, the process of setting up profiles and security settings in the operating system can seem like a confusing maze.
There are two main scenarios for implementing the plan: the classic option through Wi-Fi routerwhen both devices are on the same local network and a direct connection Computer-to-Computer (Ad-Hoc), which works even without a router. The choice of method depends on your hardware and the specific tasks you plan to accomplish. In this article, we'll examine both methods in detail, focusing on the operating system. Windows 10 and 11, since they are the most common ones now.
The main advantage of this approach is speed and mobility. You don't need to search for flash drives or use cloud storage, which may be limited by your data plan or internet speed. A local network ensures data transfer at the maximum speed supported by your wireless adapter, which is especially important for working with large video files or databases.
Choosing a topology: router or direct connection
Before tweaking the settings, you need to clearly determine which setup will be most effective in your situation. If you have a working router at home or in the office to which both laptops are connected, using the router's infrastructure is the most stable and simple solution. In this case, the devices exchange data through an access point, which handles traffic distribution and IP address assignment.
However, there are situations when a router is not available or is faulty, and you urgently need to connect computers. This is where direct connection technology, known as Ad-Hoc or "computer-to-computer." In this mode, one laptop acts as a virtual server, creating a network to which the second device connects. This method requires more detailed manual configuration of network parameters, but provides complete autonomy.
⚠️ Attention: When creating a direct network (Ad-Hoc), the laptop creating the connection will drain its battery faster, since its Wi-Fi module is constantly broadcasting a signal.
It is also worth considering that modern versions of Windows are gradually abandoning support for classic Ad-Hoc networks in favor of newer protocols, such as Wi-Fi Direct, although the basic functionality for creating a host network remains. If you plan to connect your laptop to a tablet or smartphone, make sure the mobile device supports infrastructure mode or has a dedicated app for transferring files over a local network.
Setting up a network via a Wi-Fi router
This is the most common scenario, assuming both laptops are connected to the same wireless network. The first step is to verify that both devices are actually on the same network segment and can see each other. Users often inadvertently connect to a guest network or use different frequency bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) with client isolation, making detection impossible.
You need to make sure that both computers have the same network profileBy default, Windows marks new connections as "Public," which severely limits the device's visibility to others. To change this, go to network settings and select the "Private" or "Home" profile type. This will open ports for discovery and file sharing.
After changing your profile, you should check your sharing settings. Open the Control Panel, go to Network and Internet, then Network and Sharing Center. Click the link "Change advanced sharing settings." In the menu that opens, enable the following options for the current profile (Private):
- 📡 Turn on network discovery.
- 💾 Enable file and printer sharing.
- 🔐 Allow management of HomeGroup connections.
An important point is to check the IP addressing. In most home networks, the router automatically assigns addresses via DHCP server, and manual intervention is not required. However, if automatic detection fails, you can manually assign static addresses, ensuring they are in the same subnet, for example, 192.168.1.10 and 192.168.1.11, with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0.
Establishing a direct connection (Computer-to-Computer)
Creating a network without a router requires sequential steps on both devices, but the process always begins with the "master" laptop, which will broadcast the signal. In modern versions of Windows 10 and 11, the classic Ad-Hoc network creation menu is hidden, so the easiest way is to use the command prompt with administrator rights or the "Mobile Hotspot" feature, if supported by your adapter's drivers.
Let's look at a universal command-line method, which is more stable than the graphical interface. On the first laptop, open a terminal (cmd) as administrator and enter the command to create a virtual network: netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=MyNetwork key=12345678. Here MyNetwork — is the name of your future network, and the set of numbers is the password. After entering the command, you need to start the network with the command netsh wlan start hostednetwork.
On the second laptop, simply find the created network in the list of available Wi-Fi connections and enter the password. Once successfully connected, you'll see the "Connected" status. Now it's critical to configure the IP addresses manually, as the DHCP server typically doesn't work automatically in Ad-Hoc mode.
☑️ Direct Connection Checklist
⚠️ Attention: Your antivirus or built-in Windows firewall may be blocking incoming connections in Ad-Hoc mode. If you experience visibility issues, temporarily disable your protection to test.
To configure IP addresses, go to the wireless network adapter properties (Network settings -> Configure adapter settings). Select the protocol Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click "Properties". On the first laptop, enter IP: 192.168.137.1, mask: 255.255.255.0. On the second laptop: IP 192.168.137.2, mask 255.255.255.0, gateway: 192.168.137.1.
Setting up shared access to folders and files
Once the physical and logical connection is established, you need to grant access to specific data. Simply opening the "C" drive on the remote computer is not possible for security reasons. You need to select the folder you want to share, right-click it, and select "Properties."
In the window that opens, go to the "Access" tab and click "Advanced." Check "Share this folder." Below, click "Permissions," where you can fine-tune permissions for the "Everyone" group or a specific user. It's recommended to grant only "Read" permissions unless you plan to edit files remotely to avoid accidental data deletion.
| Permission type | Description of action | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|
| Full access | Reading, writing, modifying, and deleting files | For work folders with shared projects |
| Change | Read, write, and delete, but without changing access rights | For temporary file sharing |
| Reading | View and copy files only | For media libraries and archives |
| Special rights | Fine-grained customization of actions (execute only, etc.) | For experienced administrators |
There's also a simple sharing method via the "Sharing" tab (without the word "Advanced"), where you can quickly add the "Everyone" user and select a permission level from the drop-down list. This method is less flexible, but much faster for one-time operations. Once the settings are applied, the folder will be available in your network environment.
What to do if the folder won't open?
If you receive an access denied error when trying to open a folder, check the "Security" tab in the folder's properties. Permissions should also be set there for the "Everyone" user or a specific account name, otherwise the blocking will occur at the NTFS file system level, ignoring network settings.
Remote Desktop Access and Control
One of the most powerful features of a local network is remote control. You can not only transfer files, but also view the second laptop's screen and work with its programs. This is accomplished using the built-in service. Remote Desktop (Remote Desktop). Please note that the Windows version on the managed computer must be Professional or higher, as Home versions cannot accept incoming RDP connections.
To activate the feature, go to "Settings" -> "System" -> "Remote Desktop" and toggle the switch to "On." The system will warn you about creating a firewall rule—confirm it. Now, from another laptop, launch the "Remote Desktop Connection" app, enter the IP address or computer name, and click "Connect."
You'll need to enter the username and password for the user account on the remote computer. After successful authorization, you'll see the second laptop's desktop on your screen. This is an ideal way to configure programs or demonstrate your work to colleagues without having to physically switch devices.
⚠️ Attention: When connecting via Remote Desktop, your local session on the remote computer is locked. You won't be able to use the mouse on the laptop you're connected to at the same time unless you use special workarounds.
If the built-in feature doesn't suit you, or you have Windows Home, there are great alternatives that work over a local network, such as: AnyDesk or TeamViewer in LAN mode. They are often easier to set up initially and do not require complex port configuration.
Diagnosing and resolving connection problems
Even if you strictly follow the instructions, situations may arise where laptops don't see each other. The most common cause is a workgroup mismatch. By default, Windows uses the workgroup name WORKGROUPYou can check and change it in system properties. Make sure both laptops have the same name.
The second common enemy is antivirus software. Third-party firewalls (Kaspersky, ESET, Avast) often have their own "Public Network" mode, which blocks all incoming connections. Try disabling your antivirus completely or switching its network profile to "Trusted" during diagnostics.
It's also worth checking the Function Discovery Resource Publishing service. If it's stopped, the computer won't be visible in the network environment. You can start it with the command services.msc, finding "Function Discovery Resource Publication" in the list and setting the startup type to "Automatic".
Questions and Answers
Is it possible to connect a Windows laptop and a MacBook via Wi-Fi?
Yes, this is possible. Both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. On a Mac, go to System Preferences -> Sharing and enable "File Sharing." On Windows, enter \\\IP-address-Mac in the address bar of File Explorer. You may need to configure the SMB protocol on MacOS for compatibility with older versions of Windows.
What is the maximum Wi-Fi data transfer speed in a local network?
Speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard. For 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4), actual speeds will be around 30-40 Mbps. The 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) standard allows for speeds of 80-100 Mbps and higher if both laptops support two antennas (2x2 MIMO). Wi-Fi 6 is even faster, but requires an appropriate router and adapters.
Why can computers see the network but not each other in My Network Places?
The problem is most likely with the discovery service or network profile. Ensure that the "SSDP Discovery" and "UPnP Discovery" services are enabled on both PCs. Also, check that the "Disable Wi-Fi adapter to save power" setting isn't disabled in Power Options.
Is internet required for a local network to work between laptops?
No, internet access is not required. The local network works regardless of whether you have access to the Internet. The main thing is that the wireless adapters are working properly and the drivers are installed correctly. You can even disconnect the ISP cable from the router, and file transfer will still work.