Organizing file sharing between devices within the same room is a challenge faced by many users. A local network via a Wi-Fi router allows you to transfer documents, photos, and videos without the need for external drives or cloud storage. This solution is especially useful when you need to quickly transfer gigabytes of data, but your internet connection is slow or limited by your data plan.
In the operating system Windows 10 The setup process has become more secure, but also slightly more confusing compared to previous versions. By default, the system blocks certain ports and services to protect against external threats, requiring the user to manually adjust the settings. Understanding how it works network profiles and access rights is the key to a successful connection.
In this guide, we'll walk you through a step-by-step process for connecting two PCs into a single network. We'll cover both standard methods via the control panel and more advanced settings necessary for stable operation in today's environment. Being prepared to manually configure IP settings and test services will ensure the best results.
Preparing equipment and checking basic conditions
Before starting the software setup, you need to ensure the physical infrastructure is ready. Both computers must be connected to the same wireless router. It doesn't matter whether you're using built-in Wi-Fi modules or external USB adapters; the most important thing is a stable signal.
Make sure the "Private Network" network profile is enabled on both devices. If Windows considers your home network to be "Public," it will automatically hide your computer from detection by other devices. Checking this setting is the first step, often overlooked, when trying to locate devices in your surroundings.
⚠️ Warning: If you are in an office or public place, creating an open local area network may be prohibited by your organization's information security policies. Ensure that your actions do not violate internal regulations.
It's also worth checking whether the network adapter is enabled and isn't in power-saving mode, which can disable Wi-Fi to conserve battery life. This is critical for laptops, as the adapter's sleep mode can interrupt the connection at the most inopportune moment.
Network profile setup and discovery
To get started, you need to switch the network type to "Private." This tells the operating system that you're in a trusted environment and allows the necessary ports to be opened for local data exchange. Without this step, the computers simply won't "see" each other in the list of available devices.
Open Network & Internet settings, select your active Wi-Fi connection, and in the "Network Profile" section, set the switch to "Private." Repeat this process on the second computer. Only then will the system allow discovery.
Next, you need to enable network discovery. Go to Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settingsHere, in the "Private" profile, you need to enable PC discovery and file and printer sharing.
- 📡 Turn on network discovery - allows your computer to see and be visible to other devices.
- 📂 Turn on file and printer sharing — enables access to shared folders.
- 🔒 Let Windows manage HomeGroup connections - simplifies setting up access rights.
Be sure to save your changes by clicking the "Save Changes" button. Otherwise, all settings will remain in the interface's memory and will not be applied to the system.
Configuring IP addresses for a stable connection
Although modern routers do a great job of automatically assigning addresses via DHCP, it's better to set static IP addresses for a local network between two specific computers. This will prevent situations where a computer's address changes after a router reboot, and the path to shared folders is lost.
To configure it, go to the network adapter properties. Find the protocol Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and open its properties. Here, you need to manually enter the IP address, subnet mask, and gateway. The addresses must be in the same subnet, but differ in the last octet.
Computer 1: 192.168.1.10Computer 2: 192.168.1.11
Mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.1.1 (your router's address)
If your router uses the 192.168.0.x range, then your computers also need to be given addresses in this range, for example, 192.168.0.10 and 192.168.0.11.
Below is a table showing an example of a correct configuration for two computers on a standard home network:
| Parameter | Computer A (Main) | Computer B (Second) | Router (Gateway) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IP address | 192.168.1.50 | 192.168.1.51 | 192.168.1.1 |
| Subnet mask | 255.255.255.0 | 255.255.255.0 | 255.255.255.0 |
| Main gateway | 192.168.1.1 | 192.168.1.1 | - |
| DNS server | 192.168.1.1 | 192.168.1.1 | - |
⚠️ Note: The IP address configuration interface may vary slightly depending on your network card driver version and Windows 10 updates. If you can't find the input field, check if the settings are blocked by Group Policy.
Expanding Shares and Folders
After setting up the network, you need to determine what data will be shared. You can share any folder on the disk, making it visible to the second computer. This could be a directory containing documents, media files, or backups.
Right-click the folder, select "Properties," and go to the "Sharing" tab. Click "Advanced" and check "Share this folder." It's recommended to set the "Everyone" group permissions to Full Control if you're on a secure home network.
There's also a "Security" tab where you can fine-tune permissions for specific users. If you plan to frequently share files, it might be a good idea to create a separate user with the same login and password on both computers.
- 📁 Create a separate "Share" folder on your C: or D: drive for convenience.
- 🔐 Make sure the user has read and write permissions to this folder.
- 👥 Add the user "Everyone" to the list of those who have access to the resource.
To access a shared folder from another computer, simply enter the IP address of the first PC in the address bar of Explorer in the format \\192.168.1.50If everything is configured correctly, you will see a list of available resources.
Managing Windows Firewall and Services
A common cause of connection issues is the built-in Windows Defender firewall. It can block incoming connections, deeming them suspicious, even if the network is marked as private. Ensure that the "File and Printer Sharing" rules are enabled.
Open Windows Defender Firewall from Control Panel and select "Allow an app...." Find "File and Printer Sharing" in the list and make sure the checkboxes for private networks are checked. If this option isn't there, you'll need to add it manually.
Additionally, certain system services are critical to running. If a service is stopped, the computer will not be able to respond to discovery requests. Check the status of the following services in the services.msc:
- SMB 1.0/CIFS support (if using older devices).
- Publishing function discovery resources.
- Remote Access Connection Manager.
For each of these services, the startup type should be set to "Automatic" and the status to "Running." Restarting these services often resolves the issue where computers can see the network but are unable to connect.
☑️ Checking Windows services
Diagnosis and troubleshooting of common errors
Even if you follow all the instructions, you may still encounter errors such as "Windows cannot access..." or "You don't have permission to access this object." Most often, the problem lies in a credential mismatch or an antivirus blocking the file.
If the system asks for a username and password when you try to log in, enter the account information for the computer you are connecting to. The username must be in the following format: COMPUTER_NAME\UserIf the account does not have a password, you may need to create one, as security policies sometimes prohibit blank passwords for network access.
It's also worth checking out third-party antivirus software (Kaspersky, ESET, Avast). They often have their own built-in firewalls that override Windows settings. Temporarily disable network protection in your antivirus to test.
⚠️ Note: Disabling your firewall or antivirus software during diagnostics is a safe procedure on a home network, but remember to turn it back on after completing the work.
Use Windows' built-in diagnostics. Right-click the network icon in the system tray and select "Troubleshoot." The system will automatically check for driver availability, service status, and the ability to ping the gateway.
What to do if ping doesn't work?
If the ping 192.168.1.50 command returns "Timeout exceeded," packets are being blocked by your Wi-Fi driver or firewall. Try temporarily disabling your antivirus or resetting TCP/IP settings using the netsh int ip reset command in an elevated command prompt.
Alternative methods of data transfer
If the classic local network setup seems too complicated or unstable, there are alternative methods. For example, using the Nearby Sharing feature built into Windows 10. It works on the same principle as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct, eliminating the need to configure shared folders.
To activate, go to Settings → System → Shared Files and enable the feature. Both computers must be signed in to the same Microsoft account. This is a convenient way to quickly transfer individual files, but it's not suitable for creating a persistent network drive.
Another option is to use third-party software to create virtual local area networks, such as Hamachi or Radmin VPN. These programs create a secure tunnel between computers, emulating a direct connection, which bypasses many of the limitations of home routers.
- 🚀 Nearby Sharing is ideal for quickly transferring photos and documents.
- 🌐 Radmin VPN — creates a virtual LAN cable over the Internet.
- ☁️ Folder synchronization is an alternative to manual file transfer.
The choice of method depends on your goals: for continuous work with large amounts of data, it's better to set up a classic SMB network, while simpler tools are more suitable for one-off operations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to connect computers via Wi-Fi without a router?
Yes, this is possible by creating an ad-hoc network (computer-to-computer). However, in Windows 10, this feature is hidden and requires the use of the command line or special utilities to create a virtual access point.
Why can't the second computer see the first, even though the network is private?
Most often, the problem lies with the "Host Discovery Provider" service or with ports blocked by your antivirus software. Also, check if SMB 1.0 is enabled if one of the computers is running an older operating system.
What is the maximum Wi-Fi data transfer speed in a local network?
Speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard (n, ac, ax) and signal quality. Under ideal conditions, 40-80 MB/s can be achieved at 5 GHz, which is comparable to fast USB 2.0 but slower than wired Gigabit Ethernet.
Is internet required for a local network to function?
No, internet access is not required. The local network operates directly between devices via a router. However, the initial installation of drivers or Windows updates may require internet access.