How to connect two computers over a local network via Wi-Fi

Establishing local interaction between devices remains a pressing need for many users, even in the era of cloud services. Transferring large amounts of data, sharing peripherals, or playing online games requires a stable and fast connection. Wireless Wi-Fi technology allows for this environment to be created without unnecessary cables, ensuring a mobile and clutter-free workspace.

Unlike a wired connection where you just plug in the cable, wireless network Requires careful configuration of security and access settings. Configuration errors can result in computers simply not being able to see each other, despite connecting to the same access point. Understanding how operating system protocols and services work will help avoid common problems.

This guide describes in detail the process of connecting two computers to a single network via a Wi-Fi router. We'll cover the Windows operating system setup, as it's the most common platform for home and office workstations. Following the correct steps will ensure stable file and resource sharing.

Equipment check and basic requirements

Before you begin setup, you need to make sure your equipment meets the minimum requirements for a stable connection. The key element here is Wi-Fi router, which must support communication standards that ensure acceptable data transfer rates. If devices are too far apart or behind thick walls, the signal may be unstable.

Both computers must be equipped with wireless adapters. Modern laptops come with these built-in, while desktop computers may require an external USB module or an internal card. It's important to ensure your network hardware drivers are updated to the latest version, available on the manufacturer's website.

• 📶 Router with support for Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) or higher for normal speed.
• 💻 Two computers with working Wi-Fi modules and installed drivers.
• 🔐 Knowing the wireless network password to connect both devices.
• 🔌 Stable power supply for the router and client devices during setup.

⚠️ Note: If one computer is connected via cable and the other via Wi-Fi, they will still be on the same network, but the data exchange speed will be limited by the speed of the wireless client.

It's also worth checking that both devices are connected to the network you plan to use. In apartment buildings, it's common for neighboring networks to have similar names, which can lead to confusion. Ensure that IP addresses are assigned automatically or configured correctly within the same subnet.

Setting up a network profile in Windows

By default, the Windows operating system limits your computer's visibility on public networks for security reasons. To enable discovery and file sharing, you need to change the network profile type to "Private Network." This tells the system that you trust the devices in this environment.

To perform this procedure, open System Settings and navigate to Manage Network Connections. Select your active Wi-Fi connection and change its properties. In Windows 10 and 11, this is done through the Wi-Fi settings menu, where the profile switcher is available.

After switching profiles, the system will automatically apply more lenient firewall rules. This will allow other computers to see your PC in the list of available devices. If you don't do this, even with the correct sharing settings, computers may ignore your connection requests.

• 🖥️ Open Parameters via the Start menu or a keyboard shortcut.
• 🌐 Go to the section Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
• 🔗 Click on the name of your active wireless network.
• 🏠 Set the switch to the position Private (Private).

⚠️ Note: The settings interface may vary slightly depending on your Windows version (10 or 11) and the security updates installed. If you don't see the switch, try searching for it in the Network and Sharing Center.

It's important to understand that changing your profile only affects your current connection. If you connect to a different Wi-Fi network in the future, you'll need to configure a separate profile for that network. This is to protect your data when using public Wi-Fi in cafes or airports.

Configuring sharing settings

The next critical step is enabling the services responsible for device and file discovery. Even with the correct network profile, sharing features may be disabled in the control panel. This is a basic security feature that must be explicitly enabled by the user.

Go to "Control Panel," then "Network and Internet," and select "Network and Sharing Center." On the left side of the window, find the link "Change advanced sharing settings." This contains the key settings for your current profile.

Path to settings:
Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settings

In the window that opens, expand the tab for your current profile (Private). Network discovery and file and printer sharing must be enabled. It's also recommended to enable network connection management so Windows can automatically configure connected devices.

• 🔍 Turn on the option Enable network discovery.
• 📁 Activate the item Enable file and printer sharing.
• 🔐 Allow Windows to manage HomeGroup connections (if available).
• 💾 Save your changes by clicking the "Save Changes" button at the bottom of the page.

⚠️ Important: After enabling these features, other users on the network will be able to see your computer. Make sure you have strong account passwords set on all devices.

At the bottom of the sharing settings window is also the "All Networks" section. There you can configure sharing for public folders and disable password protection if you're in a fully trusted home environment. However, for security reasons, it's best to leave password protection enabled.

Setting up IP addresses and workgroup name

In order for computers to uniquely identify each other, they must be in the same workgroup and have unique names. By default, Windows assigns a workgroup name WORKGROUP, and there is usually no need to change it unless you have specific corporate requirements.

The computer name must be unique within the network. If two devices have the same name, a conflict will occur, and the connection will be unstable or impossible. You can change the name in the system properties by clicking the "Change settings" button.

Regarding IP addresses, most home networks use dynamic address distribution (DHCP) by the router. In this case, there's no need to manually assign addresses. However, if you want to assign addresses to devices, you can do so in the TCP/IP protocol version 4 settings.

How to manually assign an IP address?

To do this, open the connection properties, select IPv4, click "Properties," and manually enter the IP address, mask, and gateway. Make sure the addresses are not in the router's DHCP range to avoid conflicts.

You can check your current settings using the command line. Enter the command ipconfig and press Enter. Note the default gateway address—it should be the same on both computers, as this is your router's address.

Creating a shared folder for data exchange

After configuring the network settings, you need to create the resource you'll be sharing. Simply having a network isn't enough—you need to explicitly tell the system which folder to make available to other users. This can be any directory on your hard drive.

Create a new folder or select an existing one. Right-click it and select "Properties." Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Sharing." In the window that opens, select a user (or the "Everyone" group) and add them to the list with read or read/write permissions.

• 📂 Create a folder, for example, with the name Share on drive C or D.
• 🖱️ Right-click → Properties → tab Access.
• 👥 Click "Sharing", select a user, and click "Add".
• 🔓 Set permission level: Reading or Reading and writing.

⚠️ Note: If you select the "Read" access level, users on other computers will only be able to copy files to themselves, but will not be able to delete or modify them in the shared folder.

Advanced access settings are also available via the "Security" tab. There, you can fine-tune permissions for specific users or groups. For a home network, the basic settings in the "Access" tab are usually sufficient, but for office use, more detailed NTFS permissions settings are recommended.

Finding devices and troubleshooting

Once all settings are complete, the computers should appear in the network neighborhood. Open File Explorer and select "Network" in the left pane. If you see your computers, the setup was successful. If the network is empty or the devices are unresponsive, troubleshooting will be required.

Often the problem lies with Windows services. Make sure the services related to discovery are running. Click Win + R, enter services.msc and locate the "Function Discovery Resource Publishing" and "Function Discovery Provider Host" services. They should be started and running in automatic mode.

Another common cause of problems is antivirus software. Third-party antivirus programs often have their own firewall, which can block local connections even if the standard Windows firewall is configured correctly. Try temporarily disabling the protection to test.

If the computers can see each other but require a password when trying to log in, try using a Microsoft account or creating a local user with the same login and password on both computers. This often solves authentication issues on mixed networks.

Why can't computers see each other on the network?

Most often, the cause is the "Public" network profile, which is blocking detection. Also, check if the "Network Discovery" service is enabled and that your antivirus isn't blocking the connection. Ensure both PCs are connected to the same router.

How to transfer a large file faster?

Wi-Fi transfer speed depends on the router standard and distance. For very large files (hundreds of gigabytes), it's better to use a LAN cable or an external hard drive, as wireless connections can be unstable and slow.

Is it possible to connect computers without a router?

Yes, it's called Ad-Hoc mode. However, in modern versions of Windows, this feature is hidden and requires creating a dedicated network via the command line, which is more complicated than using a regular router.