How to Connect Two Computers to a Local Area Network via WiFi: A Complete Guide

Creating a local network between two computers is fundamental for sharing files, collaborating on documents, or organizing online gaming. In the age of cloud storage and messaging apps, a direct connection between devices often remains a faster and more secure way to transfer large amounts of data without internet service provider (ISP) throttling. Modern operating systems have automated many processes, but a basic understanding of how network protocols work is necessary for proper setup.

To successfully connect two PCs into a single infrastructure, no cabling is required if both devices are connected to the same wireless router. Wireless local area network A wireless LAN (WLAN) operates on the same logical principles as a wired network, but requires careful configuration of security and sharing settings. In this article, we'll detail the steps you need to take to set up data exchange between Windows computers, eliminating common errors and blockages caused by the built-in firewall.

Checking network parameters and preparing equipment

The first step before setting up the software is to ensure both computers are physically connected to the same access point. Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi router and are on the same subnet. This means the first three numbers in the IP address of both computers must match; only the last segment can differ. If one computer is connected via cable and the other via WiFi, they must also be connected to the same router.

Addressing can be checked via the command line or network settings. Open the Start menu, type cmd and press Enter. In the black console window, enter the command ipconfig and find the "IPv4 Address" line. Write down this information for both computers, as you'll need it for a direct connection if automatic detection doesn't work.

⚠️ Attention: If your IP addresses start with different numbers (for example, 192.168.1.x and 10.0.0.x), the devices are on different networks and can't see each other. Check if "Mobile Hotspot" mode or a guest network is enabled on one of the PCs on the router.

The most important requirement is the network profile. By default, Windows considers new connections to be public, which hides your computer from other devices. You need to change the profile to "Private Network." Go to "Settings" (the gear icon in the Start menu) → "Network & Internet" → "Wi-Fi" (or Ethernet). Click on your network name and select "Private." This will make your computer visible to other devices within range.

📊 What connection type do you use most often?

WiFi only (no wires)

Hybrid (PC via cable, laptop via WiFi)

Wired connection only

Via USB modem

Setting up sharing in the Control Panel

Once the network profile has been changed, you should enable discovery features. In the classic Control Panel (which can be accessed by entering control (in the search bar), go to "Network and Sharing Center." In the left menu, select "Change advanced sharing settings." This is where the key switches for blocking or allowing the connection are located.

In the window that opens, you'll see the "Private," "Guest or Public," and "All Networks" profiles. Expand the "Private" tab and enable the following options: "Turn on network discovery," "Turn on automatic configuration of connecting network devices," and "Turn on file and printer sharing." Without these settings, the operating system ignores incoming connection requests.

☑️ Network preparation checklist

Both PCs are on the same subnetThe network profile is set to "Private"Network discovery is enabledThe firewall does not block the local network.

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Next, go to the "All Networks" section at the bottom of the window. This is where the critical "Password-protected sharing" setting is located. If you're in a trusted home environment, select "Turn off password-protected sharing." This will allow you to connect to shared folders without entering your Windows account login and password, greatly simplifying communication between the two computers.

Be sure to click the "Save Changes" button at the bottom of the page. It will take a few seconds for the system to apply the new firewall rules. If you're using a third-party antivirus (e.g., ESET, Kaspersky, Avast), its built-in firewall may override your system settings. In this case, find the "Network" section in your antivirus settings and add your home network to the list of safe networks.

Create a shared folder for file sharing

Now that the network infrastructure is ready, you need to create a resource that computers will share. Create a new folder in any convenient location, such as on the C or D drive, and name it something like "Shared_Folder." Right-click it and select "Properties." Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Advanced."

In the Advanced Settings window, check the "Share this folder" box. Click the "Permissions" button below. By default, the "Everyone" group is assigned read-only permissions. If you want to be able to write files from another computer, select the "Everyone" group and check the "Full Control" box in the "Allow" column. This will grant full permissions to modify the folder's contents to anyone connected to the network.

⚠️ Attention: Granting "Full Control" to the "Everyone" group is only safe on a trusted home network. If outsiders can connect to your WiFi, it's best to create a specific user or use password protection.

There's also a "Security" tab in the folder's properties. Sometimes the access settings in this tab conflict with network permissions. Make sure the "Everyone" entry is in the list of groups and users, and that it has both write and read permissions. If there isn't such an entry, click "Add" and type All (or Everyone), click "Check names" and confirm the action.

What should I do if the Access tab is missing?

If you don't see the "Access" tab in the folder properties, the "Server" service may be disabled. Press Win+R, enter services.msc, find the "Server" service, double-click it, set the startup type to "Automatic," and then click "Start."

Connecting to a network resource by IP address

On the second computer that needs to access the files, open File Explorer. In the address bar (at the top, where the folder path is written), enter the IP address of the first computer, which we found at the very beginning. The input format should be as follows: two backslashes, then the IP address. For example: \\192.168.1.55. Press Enter.

If all settings are correct, a window displaying the shared folder's contents will open in a few seconds. For ease of use, you can right-click the folder that appears and select "Map network drive." The system will prompt you to assign a drive letter (e.g., Z:) to this folder, after which it will appear in "My Computer" as a regular hard drive, which is very convenient for regular use.

In some cases, Windows may require login credentials. If you've disabled password protection, try entering the username and password for the account on the first computer. If this doesn't help, or you'd prefer to avoid entering the password, ensure the same username and password are set on both computers, or use the Guest account if it's enabled.

Diagnosing problems and troubleshooting errors

Despite its apparent simplicity, users often encounter the error "Windows cannot access \\...". Most often, the problem lies in Windows services. Click Win + R, enter services.msc and locate network-related services. Critical services include: Function Discovery Resource Publishing, SSDP Discovery Function, and RPC Endpoint Mapper. Make sure they are running and their startup type is set to Automatic.

Another common cause is the SMB 1.0 protocol. In new versions of Windows 10 and 11, it's disabled by default for security reasons, but older routers or network-attached storage (NAS) devices may require it. Go to Control Panel → Programs and Features → Turn Windows features on or off. Find "SMB 1.0/CIFS file sharing support" in the list and check the box if other methods don't work.

Error type	Probable cause	Solution method
Password prompt when security is disabled	Caching old credentials	Control Panel → Credential Manager → Delete saved network password
The computer is not visible on the network	The discovery service has stopped.	Start the Function Discovery Resource Publishing service
Access denied, error code 0x80070035	Blocked by firewall or antivirus	Temporarily disable the firewall for testing, add a rule for SMB
The network is defined as public	Windows network profile failure	Settings → Network & Internet → Network reset (requires restart)

If all else fails, reset your network settings. In Windows 10/11, this can be done via Settings → Network & Internet → Advanced network settings → Network reset. Your computer will restart, and all network adapters will be reset to factory settings. Afterward, you'll need to repeat the process of setting the profile to "Private."

Local connection security

When setting up a local network, it's important to balance convenience and security. Openly sharing files in public places (cafes, offices with guests) is unacceptable. Always ensure the network profile is changed back to "Public" when connecting to someone else's WiFi. On a home network, the risk is minimal, but setting strong passwords on Windows accounts remains a best practice.

Using a guest account or creating a separate user with limited rights for network connections is a professional approach to access control. You can share only a specific folder with this user, leaving system drives and personal photos protected from accidental access or malware attacks that could penetrate a vulnerability in the sharing protocol.

⚠️ Attention: Operating system and router interfaces are regularly updated. The location of menu items may vary slightly between Windows builds (Home, Pro, Enterprise) or versions (21H2, 22H2, 23H2). If you can't find the option described, use the search in your system settings.

For advanced users, it's recommended to use static IP addresses for desktop computers. This will prevent the router from assigning a new address to the computer after a reboot, causing all configured file paths to stop working. You can assign a static address in the router settings under LAN/DHCP Server by binding the MAC address of the network card to a specific IP address.

How to fix an IP address in Windows?

Control Panel → Network Connections → Right-click the adapter → Properties → Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) → Properties → Use the following IP address. Enter the gateway (router) address and a free IP address.

Is it possible to connect computers directly via WiFi without a router?

Yes, this is possible using Ad-Hoc technology or the Mobile Hotspot feature in Windows 10/11. However, the speed and stability of this connection will be lower than with a full-fledged router, and setup requires more technical expertise.

Why are files copied slowly over a local network?

Speed ​​depends on the WiFi standard (802.11n, ac, ax), the number of walls between devices, and airwave congestion. Older network equipment or background tasks on your PC may also limit speed. For large files, a cable connection is recommended.

Is internet required for a local network to function?

No, internet access is not required. The local network operates independently between devices. However, for the initial installation of drivers or Windows updates, internet access may be required.

How do I disable folder sharing?

Go to folder properties → "Sharing" tab → "Advanced settings" and uncheck "Share." After doing this, other computers will no longer be able to see or open this folder.