How to Connect Two Computers via Wi-Fi: A Step-by-Step Guide with Pictures

Connecting two computers via Wi-Fi opens up a ton of possibilities, from quickly sharing files to playing games together over a local network. But how do you do it correctly if you don't have a router or cable handy? In this article, we'll cover all the current methods, from creating access points on one of the PCs before use Wi-Fi Direct and specialized programs.

You will learn how to set up a network in Windows 10/11 Without unnecessary complications, what security settings to choose to protect your data, and how to troubleshoot common errors (for example, when computers "see" each other but don't connect). And if you need to do more than just transfer files, but organize stable connection for gaming or video streaming - there are working solutions here too.

This material is suitable for both novice users and those who have already tried setting up a network but encountered problems. All instructions have been tested on current versions of Windows and modern Wi-Fi adapters (including Wi-Fi 6/6E).

1. Methods for connecting two computers via Wi-Fi: which one to choose?

Before you begin setting up, decide on your goals:

  • 📁 File sharing — a temporary network with minimal security settings is sufficient.
  • 🎮 Online games - you will need a stable connection with low ping (preferably through a router or Wi-Fi Direct).
  • 🖥️ Remote access - reliable authorization and encryption is required (for example, via RDP or TeamViewer).
  • 🔄 Backup - priority on transmission speed (use 5 GHz or Wi-Fi 6).

The choice of method depends on the goal. Let's consider all options:

Way Need a router? Max. speed Difficulty of setup When to use
Access point on PC (Hosted Network) ❌ No Up to 300 Mbps (2.4 GHz) ⭐⭐☆ Fast file transfer, temporary network
Wi-Fi Direct ❌ No Up to 1 Gbps (5 GHz) ⭐⭐⭐ Games, streaming video, modern adapters
Via a router (public network) ✅ Yes Up to 2 Gbps (Wi-Fi 6E) ⭐☆☆ Constant connection, multiple devices
Programs (Radmin, Hamachi) ❌ No Depends on the Internet ⭐⭐☆ Remote access, firewall bypass

A critical detail: if both computers are connected to the same router, but do not see each other, the problem is in the network settings (protocol IPv4/IPv6, network group or firewall). More details on this can be found in the troubleshooting section.

📊 Why do you need to connect computers?
File sharing
Online games
Remote access
Backup
Other

2. Connecting without a router: creating an access point on Windows

The most universal way is to turn one of the computers into virtual routerFor this we use the built-in function Hosted Network (works in Windows 7/8/10/11). Important: The Wi-Fi adapter must support the mode SoftAP (most modern adapters support it).

Instructions for Windows 10/11:

  1. Open Command line as administrator (Win + X → Terminal (Administrator)).
  2. Enter the command to check support: 
    netsh wlan show drivers

    Look for the line Hosted network support: yes.

  3. Set network parameters (name and password): 
    netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid="MyWiFi" key="12345678" keyUsage=persistent

    Here MyWiFi — network name, 12345678 — password (minimum 8 characters).

  4. Start the network: 
    netsh wlan start hostednetwork
  5. Allow Internet sharing (if necessary):
    • Open Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settings.
    • Find an internet connection (eg. Ethernet), right-click → Properties → Access.
    • Mark Allow other network users to share your Internet connection and select the created network (Local Area Connection* X).

On the second computer, connect to the created network MyWiFi just like regular Wi-Fi. To share files, open network discovery (more on this in the next section).

The Wi-Fi adapter supports SoftAP|The command prompt is run as administrator|The network password contains ≥8 characters|Wi-Fi is enabled on the second PC-->

⚠️ Attention: if after the command netsh wlan start hostednetwork an error appears Failed to start hosted network, update your Wi-Fi adapter driver or check its compatibility with the mode SoftAP.

3. Setting up shared access to files and folders

In order for computers to exchange data, it is necessary:

  1. Enable on both PCs network discovery:
    • Open Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Advanced Sharing Settings.
    • Select a profile Private (current profile) and activate:
      • ✅ Enable network discovery
      • ✅ Enable file and printer sharing
  2. Open access to a specific folder:
    • Right-click on the folder → Properties → Access → Share.
    • Select a user All and press Share.
  • Check security rights:
    • In the same tab Properties → Security → Edit.
    • Add a group All and give me rights Read/Write.

    Now on the second computer open File Explorer → Network — the name of the first PC will appear there. Click on it, enter your username and password (if prompted), and access the shared folders.

    4. Wi-Fi Direct: direct connection without a router (for modern adapters)

    Wi-Fi Direct — a technology that allows devices to connect directly, without an intermediary (router). It is supported by most adapters. Wi-Fi 5/6 and provides high speed (up to 1 Gbps on 5 GHz).

    How to set up:

    1. Make sure both adapters support Wi-Fi Direct (check specifications or driver).
    2. On the first computer:
      • Open Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
      • Select Wi-Fi Direct (In some versions of Windows this option is hidden - use Intel PROSet/Wireless or a utility from the adapter manufacturer).
  • On the second computer:
    • Turn on Wi-Fi and find the network of the first PC (usually its name starts with DIRECT-xx).
    • Connect by entering the PIN code (displayed on the first PC).

    Once connected, set up file sharing (as in the previous section). Wi-Fi Direct ideal for local area network gaming (eg Minecraft or Counter-Strike), as it ensures minimal delays.

    ⚠️ Please note: Some adapters (eg. Realtek RTL8188EE) may not support Wi-Fi Direct in mode Ad-HocIn this case, use Hosted Network or programs like Connectify.

    5. Connecting via a router: setting up a local network

    If both computers are connected to the same router, they are automatically on the same local network. However, for full interaction, you need:

    • 🔗 Check IP addresses: Both PCs must be on the same subnet (e.g. 192.168.1.x).
    • 🔒 Disable client isolation (if enabled in the router settings).
    • 🔄 Turn on NetBIOS for simplified access by PC name.

    Step-by-step setup:

    1. On the router:
      • Go to the web interface (usually 192.168.1.1).
      • Find the section LAN or Local area network and make sure that DHCP included.
      • Turn it off AP Isolation (client isolation) if it is active.
    2. On computers:
      • Open Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settings.
      • Right-click on Ethernet/Wi-Fi → Properties → IPv4.
      • Check the boxes on Obtain an IP automatically And Obtain DNS automatically.
  • Check the connection:
    • On one PC, open Command line and enter: 
      ping 192.168.1.x

      (Where x — the last octet of the second PC's IP).

    • If the ping goes through (Reply from...), the network is working.

      • For convenience, assign static IP addresses to computers in the router settings (section DHCP Reservation), so that they do not change when you reboot.

      How to find the IP address of a second computer?

      Open it on it Command line and enter ipconfig. Look for the line IPv4 address in the section Ethernet/Wi-Fi adapter.

      6. Computer Connection Software: When Standard Methods Don't Work

      If built-in Windows tools are not suitable (for example, due to an outdated adapter or firewall), use third-party programs:

      Program Connection type Pros Cons
      Radmin VPN Virtual network (P2P) No router settings required, works via the internet Requires registration, traffic restrictions
      Hamachi VPN network Simple interface, cross-platform Slow speed for files
      Connectify Hotspot Access point Advanced settings (traffic limitation, blacklist) Paid version for full functionality
      ZeroTier Encrypted network High speed, IPv6 support Complex setup for beginners

      Example of setup Radmin VPN:

      1. Download and install the program from official website.
      2. Register and create a new network.
      3. Connect both computers to this network (enter the network ID and password).
      4. IN Conductor use the IP addresses assigned Radmin (For example, 10.10.10.x).
    ⚠️ Attention: programs like Hamachi or Radmin They create virtual networks over the internet, so the file sharing speed depends on your ISP plan. For local sharing, it's best to use Hosted Network or Wi-Fi Direct.

    7. Typical mistakes and their solutions

    If computers cannot see each other or connect, check:

    • 🔌 No connection:
      • Make sure Wi-Fi is enabled on both PCs.
      • Restart the service Autoconfiguration WLAN: 
        net stop WlanSvc & net start WlanSvc
    • 🚫 "Network path not found":
      • Check if it is enabled NetBIOS: 
        Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settings → IPv4 Properties → Advanced → WINS → Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP
      • Disable your firewall temporarily (or add an exception for file sharing).
    • 🔒 Login/Password Request:
      • Both PCs must have the same account with a password (even if you don't use it to log in).
      • Or disable authentication: 
        secpol.msc → Local Policies → Security Options → Network Security: Authentication Level → Send LM and NTLM (if negotiated)

      • If the problem persists, check network group:

      1. Open Control Panel → System → Advanced system settings → Computer name → Change.
      2. Make sure both PCs are in the same group (default WORKGROUP).
      3. If the groups are different, change them to the same one and restart the computers.

      FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

      Is it possible to connect a Windows computer and a Mac via Wi-Fi?

      Yes, but there are some nuances:

      • On Mac turn on sharing in System Preferences → Sharing → File Sharing.
      • On Windows use Hosted Network or connect to the network Mac through Wi-Fi Direct.
      • Use the protocol to exchange files SMB (on Mac connect at the address smb://computer_IP).
      How to play over a local network via Wi-Fi?

      For games (eg Minecraft, CS:GO, GTA V):

      1. Connect the computers in any way (preferably via a router or Wi-Fi Direct).
      2. On the host computer, launch the game and create a local session.
      3. On the second PC, connect to the host IP (find it out via ipconfig).
      4. Open the game ports in your firewall (for example, for Minecraft this is a port 25565).

      For minimum ping use 5 GHz or wired connection.

      Why is file transfer speed low (1-2 MB/s)?

      Reasons and solutions:

      • The adapter operates in the mode 802.11n (max 150 Mbps) → Switch to 5 GHz or update the adapter to Wi-Fi 6.
      • Influence of other devices → Change the Wi-Fi channel in the router settings (select the least busy one).
      • Encryption WEP or TKIP → Use WPA2-AES or WPA3.
      • Background tasks → Disable torrents, updates, and other network loads.

      To test the speed, use the utility iPerf:

      iperf3 -s

      (on the first PC) and

      iperf3 -c 192.168.1.x

      (on the second).

      How to connect two computers via Wi-Fi on Windows 7?

      There is no such thing in Windows 7. Wi-Fi Direct, but it works Hosted Network:

      1. Open Command line from the administrator.
      2. Enter: 
        netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=MyNet key=12345678
      3. Start the network: 
        netsh wlan start hostednetwork
      4. IN Network and Control Center Turn on file sharing (like in Windows 10).

      If the command doesn't work, update your Wi-Fi adapter driver to the latest version.

      Is it possible to connect computers via Wi-Fi if one of them is running Linux?

      Yes, use:

      • On Linux:
        • Create an access point: 
          sudo nmcli dev wifi hotspot ifname wlan0 ssid MyLinuxNet password "12345678"
        • Or connect to the Windows network via nmcli or NetworkManager.
      • For file sharing:
        • On Linux install Samba: 
          sudo apt install samba
        • Set up a shared folder in /etc/samba/smb.conf.

      On Windows, connect to the Linux share at \\computer_IP\folder_name.

    • 📖 Read also

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