Creating a local network for file sharing is one of the most useful features for home and office PC use. Instead of transferring data on a flash drive or uploading it to the cloud, you can transfer files directly between devices at high speed. This is especially useful for working with large video files, making backups, or organizing your media library.
Modern operating systems such as Windows 10 And Windows 11, have built-in tools for this task, but setting them up often presents difficulties for users. Difficulties typically arise when setting up access rights or selecting the network type. In this article, we'll cover all the details so you can quickly set up data exchange.
The key to successful setup is a stable connection between all computers on the same wireless network. If one laptop is connected to the router via cable and the other via Wi-Fi, they will also be able to see each other, as long as they are on the same subnet. Let's start by preparing the equipment and checking the basic settings.
First, make sure all devices have their wireless modules enabled and are connected to the same router. Check if the Wi-Fi indicator is on and if there are any restrictions from your ISP or network administrator. For proper operation, you'll need to know: IP address the main computer on which the folder will be located.
Checking network settings and profile
The first step is to correctly identify the network type in the operating system. Windows treats new connections as public by default, which prevents your device from being visible to others. You need to switch the profile to "Private Network" to allow discovery.
To do this, open the network settings and go to the properties of the active connection. Find "Network Profile" and select "Private." This will make your computer visible to other devices within range of the wireless signal.
Next, you need to enable discovery features. Without this step, other users simply won't see your computer in the list of available devices, even if the passwords are entered correctly. This process is managed through the Network and Sharing Center.
⚠️ Note: Switching your profile to "Private" may make your computer visible to other devices on this network. Make sure you're connected to a trusted home router and not to an open Wi-Fi hotspot at a cafe.
Open the Control Panel and find the "Network and Sharing Center" section. In the left menu, select "Change advanced sharing settings." Here, you need to enable network discovery and file sharing for the current profile.
It's also recommended to disable password protection if you're in a completely secure home environment and want to simplify access without having to enter your credentials each time. However, for office networks, it's best to leave it enabled for data security.
Creating a shared folder and setting permissions
Once you've prepared your network profile, you can begin creating the resource you plan to share. You can share any folder on your drive, whether it's documents, photos, or system directories.
Create a new folder or select an existing one, right-click it, and select "Properties." Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Advanced." Check the "Share this folder" box.
In the Permissions window, ensure that the "Everyone" group has read and edit permissions. If you want other users to be able to not only read but also delete or edit files, check the appropriate boxes in the "Allow" column.
- 📁 Full control - allows you to delete and modify any files in the folder.
- 📝 Edit - Grants permission to edit content, but not change access rights.
- 👁️ Read - Users can only open and copy files.
Remember that permissions must be configured on two levels: the "Access" tab and the "Security" tab. If the "Everyone" group or a specific user isn't listed in the "Security" tab, add them manually; otherwise, the system may block access despite the shared access settings being enabled.
Configuring Windows Firewall and Services
It often happens that all the settings are correct, but the computers can't see each other. In most cases, the culprit is the built-in Windows firewall or disabled system services responsible for detection.
Check if the required services are active. Click Win + R, enter services.msc and find the Function Discovery Resource Publishing service. Make sure it's running and the startup type is set to Automatic.
Also check the Print Spooler and Windows Search services, as they often interfere with network discovery protocols. If these services are stopped, start them and test the connection.
| Service | Status | Launch type |
|---|---|---|
| Detection function | Works | Automatically |
| Publishing resources | Works | Automatically |
| Discovery Provider Host | Works | Automatically |
If the problem persists after enabling services, it is possible that a firewall is blocking the protocol. SMBTry temporarily disabling your firewall to test. If access is restored, you'll need to add an exception rule for the private network.
⚠️ Note: Windows settings interfaces may differ depending on your build version (Home, Pro, Enterprise). If you can't find the option, search for the service name in the Start menu.
☑️ Check network services
Connecting to a network folder from another device
Now that the resource is shared, you need to connect to it from another computer. To do this, you'll need the IP address or hostname of the computer. Using the IP address is a more reliable method, as DNS may not resolve names on simple home networks.
Find out the IP address of the host computer. Open the command prompt (cmd) and enter the command ipconfigFind the "IPv4 Address" line for your wireless adapter. It usually looks like this: 192.168.0.XX or 192.168.1.XX.
On the second computer, open File Explorer and enter the address in the address bar in the format \\192.168.1.XX (insert your IP address). Press Enter. If the settings are correct, you will see a list of all shared folders on the remote PC.
The system may prompt you for credentials. Enter the login and password for the user account on the host computer. If you disabled password protection, you should be logged in automatically using the guest account.
What should I do if it asks for a password, even though I don’t have one?
Try entering your login in the format COMPUTER_NAME\User_Name. If this doesn't help, create an identical account with the same password on the second computer.
Disk mapping for persistent access
If you plan to use a shared folder frequently, it's best to mount it as a separate drive in My Computer. This will eliminate the need to re-enter the network path each time.
In File Explorer, right-click "This PC" and select "Map network drive." Select any available drive letter (e.g., Z:) and enter the path to the folder.
Be sure to check "Restore at logon" to ensure the drive remains accessible after a reboot. Your network share will now appear as a regular local hard drive partition.
Using a drive letter is especially convenient for older programs that don't understand UNC network paths (\\server\share). To them, it will appear as a regular folder on the local drive.
- 💾 Select a drive letter from the drop-down list.
- 🔗 Enter the full network path to the resource.
- ✅ Check the box to restore connection.
Common mistakes and how to solve them
Even with careful configuration, errors such as "Windows cannot access" or "Invalid username" may still occur. Often, the problem lies in different SMB protocol versions across different operating systems.
For example, when connecting Windows 10 to Windows 7 or XP, you may need to enable SMB 1.0 support. However, enabling this protocol should be done with caution, as it has security vulnerabilities.
Another common issue is different time zones or time desynchronization. Make sure all computers have the same time and date, otherwise the Kerberos authentication protocol may block the connection.
If all else fails, try temporarily creating a new user on the main computer with a simple password (no special characters) and granting access to the folder to that user. This helps prevent permission errors on a complex main account.
Why can't computers see each other on the network?
This is most often related to the "Public" network profile. Switch it to "Private" in the Wi-Fi settings. Also, check that discovery is enabled.
What password should I enter when connecting?
You must enter the password for the user account on the computer where the folder is located. The login must be in the format PC_NAME\User.
Is it possible to share the entire C: drive?
Technically, it's possible, but highly discouraged for security reasons. It's better to create a separate folder and move the necessary files there.
Does this work between Windows and Mac?
Yes, macOS supports the SMB protocol. On a Mac, select "Connect to Server" and enter the Windows machine's address.