Establishing a local connection between two PCs without unnecessary wires is a challenge many users face when they need to quickly transfer gigabytes of data or launch a network game. Modern operating systems offer a variety of ways to implement this scenario, but default security settings often block direct communication between devices, creating the illusion of hardware failure. Understanding the basic principles local network will allow you not only to set up file sharing, but also to access shared resources such as printers or media libraries.
In this guide, we'll cover proven methods that work on current versions of Windows, ensuring a stable and secure connection. You won't need to run an Ethernet cable throughout your entire apartment or purchase additional network equipment if both devices are within range of the wireless router. The key is to correctly configure discovery and access permission settings, which we'll discuss in detail below.
Before beginning software configuration, ensure both computers are physically connected to the same Wi-Fi access point. This is a fundamental requirement, without which further steps are pointless. If one laptop is connected to the guest network and the other to the main network, they won't "see" each other, even if they share the same router.
Checking basic settings and device naming
The first step in establishing communication is uniquely identifying each network participant. Windows automatically assigns names to computers during installation, but these names often contain random characters or are duplicated, causing addressing conflicts. Go to the system control panel and ensure that each computer's name is unique and written in Latin characters, as some older network protocols may display Cyrillic characters incorrectly.
It's crucial to check your network profile type. By default, the operating system may classify your connection as "Public," which automatically hides your computer from other devices for security reasons. You need to change this status to "Private network." You can do this through the Wi-Fi menu: click the connection icon, select your network properties, and toggle the "Private" switch.
- 📡 Make sure both devices are on the same subnet (usually these are addresses like 192.168.1.X).
- 🔒 Check that your antivirus software isn't blocking local connections in "Public Network" mode.
- 🆔 Avoid using special characters and spaces in the computer name.
It's also worth paying attention to the workgroup. Although this setting has been deprecated in modern versions of Windows 10 and 11, for compatibility with older systems or specific software, it's best to leave it at the default value. WORKGROUP on both devices. Changing this setting unnecessarily may result in the computers simply not appearing in the network neighborhood.
⚠️ Caution: If you're in an office or public place (cafe, hotel), changing your network profile to "Private" may make your files visible to other users on the same network. Use this method only in a trusted home environment.
After making changes to profile names and types, it is recommended to perform a full reboot of both computers. This ensures that all network services restart and apply the new configurations correctly.
Setting up shared access to files and folders
Once the foundation is laid, you need to enable the system to share data. Windows handles this through a complex sharing mechanism that often confuses users. Open Control Panel, go to Network and Sharing Center, and select Change advanced sharing settings. Here, you'll need to enable several key options for the "Private" profile.
Enable network discovery so your computer can see other devices and be visible to others. Then enable file and printer sharing. Without these two settings, any further connection attempts will fail, as the system will ignore incoming connection requests.
☑️ Setting up sharing
The "Password-protected sharing" setting deserves special attention. If you disable it, anyone who connects to your WiFi will be able to access shared folders without entering a username and password. This is convenient for home use, but dangerous. If you leave it enabled, when attempting to access from another computer, the system will require the username and password of the user whose folder is being shared.
To get started, create a folder you plan to use for sharing. Right-click it, select "Properties," go to the "Sharing" tab, and click "Advanced." Check "Share this folder" and set the permissions for the "Everyone" group to read and write. This will allow the second computer to not only retrieve files but also write their own.
⚠️ Note: The Settings and Control Panel interfaces may differ depending on your Windows version (Home, Pro) and installed updates. If you don't find the option, search for "general" in Settings.
Using the Shared Folder feature and HomeGroup
Older versions of Windows had a convenient "HomeGroup" feature that automatically configured all necessary settings. However, starting with Windows 10 version 1803, Microsoft deprecated this feature in favor of a more flexible, but less automated, shared folder system. Users now have to manually specify paths and access rights, which provides more control but requires attention.
The default "Public folder" is a system directory that can be shared with all users of the local computer and the network. In File Explorer, navigate to This PC → Shared FoldersTo use it to transfer data between two PCs, you need to add the "Everyone" user with read and write permissions in the "Access" tab of this folder's properties.
The advantage of using a system shared folder over creating custom shares is that the paths to it are standardized, and some programs (such as media servers) look for content there by default. However, for setting up permanent file sharing, it's more convenient to create a separate directory, for example C:\NetworkShare, and share it.
- 📂 The system shared folder is convenient for temporary storage of files.
- 🔐 A separate folder allows you to more flexibly configure access rights for different users.
- ⚙️ Some programs automatically scan only standard shared directories.
When setting access permissions, it's important to balance convenience and security. If you grant "Modify" permissions, someone on another computer could delete your files. For data archives, it's best to leave only "Read" permissions, and for the working folder containing projects, "Modify" permissions.
What to do if the folder won't open?
If you encounter an access error when trying to open a folder, check the "Security" tab in the folder's properties. The "Everyone" user or a specific user with read and execute permissions should also be added there. Often, permissions are present in the "Access" tab, but not in the "Security" tab, which is what blocks access.
Direct computer-to-computer connection (Ad-hoc network)
If you don't have a router handy but urgently need to connect two laptops, you can create a computer-to-computer (Ad-hoc) network. In this case, one computer acts as an access point, distributing Wi-Fi, while the other connects to it as a regular router. This method is ideal for field work or if the primary router fails.
To implement this scenario in Windows 10 and 11, use the Mobile Hotspot feature. On the first computer, go to Settings → Network & Internet → Mobile HotspotEnable the feature and select the connection sharing method (usually Ethernet or WiFi). Important: Not all WiFi adapters support both client and access point mode simultaneously, so you may need to use your old adapter.
The second computer should find the created network in the list of available WiFi connections and enter the password displayed in the first PC's hotspot settings. Once connected, you'll have a local network, where IP addresses will be assigned automatically by the first computer.
| Parameter | Router Mode | Ad-hoc mode (Hot-spot) |
|---|---|---|
| IP source | Router (DHCP) | First PC (Distribution) |
| Internet access | Yes (if available from your provider) | Only if there is a pass-through |
| Stability | High | Depends on the PC adapter |
| Transfer speed | Maximum for the standard | Often lower due to CPU load |
Using Ad-hoc mode significantly increases the load on the Wi-Fi module and the CPU of the router, which can lead to a decrease in overall system performance. Therefore, for continuous operation and large data transfers (hundreds of gigabytes), a traditional router is preferable.
Solving common visibility and access issues
Even with proper configuration, users often encounter a situation where computers are on the network but can't see each other, or access is denied. The most common cause is Windows services that have stopped for some reason. Open Task Manager (services.msc) and check the status of the Function Discovery Resource Publishing service. It should be started and running automatically.
Another common issue is the DNS and NetBIOS cache. If you've changed computer names or IP addresses, old data may have become cached. To clear this, open a command prompt as administrator and enter the command ipconfig /flushdns, and then nbtstat -RThis will flush the name cache and allow the system to re-query the network.
Windows Defender Firewall may also be configured aggressively. Try temporarily disabling it on both computers to diagnose the issue. If communication resumes after disabling it, you need to add an exception rule for "File and Printer Sharing" in the firewall settings rather than leaving the system unprotected.
- 🛑 Check if your third-party antivirus software is blocking your local network (Public mode).
- 🔄 Restart the DNS Client and Workstation services in the Services Manager.
- 📡 Make sure that AP Isolation is not enabled on your router.
If all else fails, try accessing the computer by IP address instead of name. In File Explorer, enter \\192.168.1.XX (where XX is the address of the second PC). If access is available via IP but not via name, the problem lies solely with NetBIOS or DNS name resolution, and you can work via IP addresses by assigning them statically.
⚠️ Important: The "Client Isolation" (or AP Isolation) feature on your router prevents devices connected via WiFi from communicating with each other. This feature is often enabled by default on guest networks. Check your router settings and disable it for your main network.
Alternative methods of transmitting data over the network
If you're too lazy to mess around with Windows settings or it's causing errors, there are third-party tools that create their own tunnel over your local network, ignoring the standard OS restrictions. Programs like Resilio Sync, SyncTrayzor (client for Syncthing) or even Shareit (in its desktop versions) allow you to connect two computers in seconds.
These apps use QR codes or passkeys for pairing. You simply install the app on both PCs, scan the code, and get a ready-to-sync folder. This is often faster and more reliable than the standard Windows SMB protocol, especially on disparate networks (for example, between Windows and macOS or Linux).
Another option is to use an FTP server. By running a lightweight FTP server (such as FileZilla Server) on one computer, you can access files from any device on the network via a browser or file manager. This is a universal method, unaffected by the vagaries of Windows network services.
The method you choose depends on your needs: for ongoing document management, it's better to set up SMB shares once, while for a one-time transfer of a 50GB movie, it's easier and faster to use specialized software or FTP.
Why can't my computer see another computer on the network?
Most often, the problem lies with the "Public" network profile or a disabled discovery service. Also, make sure both computers are in the same workgroup and subnet.
What is the maximum transfer speed for WiFi?
Speed depends on the WiFi standard (n, ac, ax) and distance. Under ideal conditions, modern WiFi 5 (AC) can deliver real-world speeds of 300-500 Mbps, which is significantly slower than cable, but sufficient for streaming video.
Do you need internet to connect two computers?
No, you don't need an internet connection to create a local network and transfer files. Both devices need to be connected to the same router (even without a WAN cable) or directly.
Is it safe to share folders?
On a home network with a strong WiFi password, yes. In public places, it's dangerous. Always use strong passwords for user accounts whose folders are shared.