Creating a local connection between two computers is a basic skill that makes sharing data in the office or at home much easier. Local area network allows you to transfer files without using external drives, run online games, or share a printer. In the operating system Windows 10 This process has become more secure, but also somewhat more confusing due to changes in security protocols.
You won't need any special cables if both devices support wireless communication. The modern standard Wi-Fi Provides sufficient speed for transferring documents, photos, and even high-resolution videos. The key is to configure detection and access parameters correctly so the system doesn't block the connection as potentially unsafe.
This article will cover every step in detail, from checking your equipment to setting up shared resources. You'll learn how to create a direct connection or connect devices through a router.
Preparing equipment and checking settings
Before starting the setup, make sure that both laptops are in good working order and are in a strong signal reception area. Wireless adapter must be enabled and working properly. If one of the devices sees the network but doesn't connect, the problem may lie in the drivers or the physical switch on the device.
Both computers must be connected to the same wireless network. If you plan to create a computer-to-computer network without a router, both devices must have access point mode or virtual network support enabled. Make sure that IP addresses are on the same subnet, although in most home situations Windows will assign them automatically.
⚠️ Note: If you're using public Wi-Fi (at a cafe or airport), the system may classify the network as "Public." In this mode, your computer's visibility to other devices is blocked by default for security reasons.
☑️ Checking connection readiness
It's also worth checking the name of each computer, as this is how you'll search for the device in your network environment. Standard names like DESKTOP-8392JD are hard to remember, so it's better to rename them to something clear, for example, Laptop-Office And Laptop-Home.
Network profile setup and discovery
The key is to change your online profile from "Public" to "Private." In the public profile Windows Hides your PC from others to protect your data. To use it on a local network, you must enable discovery.
Go to your network settings by clicking the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray and select "Properties" for your network. In the window that opens, find the "Network Profile" section and switch the radio button to "Private." This will make your laptop visible to trusted devices.
Next, you need to enable discovery features. Open Control Panel, go to Network and Sharing Center, and select Change advanced sharing settings. Here, you need to do the following:
- 📡 Enable network discovery and automatic configuration of connected devices.
- 📂 Enable file and printer sharing.
- 🔒 Disable password-protected sharing (only for trusted home networks!).
After making changes, be sure to click the "Save Changes" button. Otherwise, all settings will remain in the interface's memory but will not be applied to the system.
Creating a direct connection through Close Interaction
Windows 10 has a handy feature called Near Share, which allows you to transfer files similar to AirDrop. It's a modern take on older transfer methods, working through a combination of Bluetooth And Wi-Fi Direct.
To enable it, open Settings (Start menu → Gear), go to System, and find Proximity. Make sure the toggle is set to On. You can also configure who can send you files: everyone around you or just your devices.
The transfer process is as follows: you select a file, click "Share," and see the second laptop's name in the list of available devices. Once the request is accepted on the second device, the file will automatically download to the downloads folder. Speed depends on distance and interference.
Why isn't Close Interaction working?
This feature requires Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to be enabled on both devices. Both PCs must also support the Wi-Fi Direct standard. If the wireless module drivers are outdated, the feature may not be available.
This method is ideal for quickly transferring a few documents or photos. However, for ongoing work with shared folders or access to a media library, it's better to use the classic local network setup via the SMB protocol, described below.
Setting up shared folders and resources
To allow the second laptop to see and open files on the first, you need to share a specific folder. Select the desired directory, right-click, and select "Properties." You'll need to select the "Sharing" tab.
Click the "Advanced Settings" button and check "Share this folder." Below, under "Permissions," ensure the "Everyone" group has read permissions (and write permissions if you need to edit files remotely). This will create a network entry point.
| Access type | Description of rights | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | The user can only open and copy files. | For general archives, photos, documents |
| Change | The user can edit and delete files | For work projects, joint tasks |
| Full access | Full control over the folder and rights | For system administrator only |
Once the folder is configured, it will be accessible via the network path. To access it from another laptop, open "This PC," scroll down to "Network Locations," and find the name of the first computer. If prompted for credentials, enter the username and password for the folder owner's account.
Connecting via HomeGroup (Legacy) and SMB
It's worth noting that the HomeGroup feature was completely removed from Windows 10 starting with version 1803. If you look for this option in Control Panel, you won't find it. Microsoft replaced this technology with more flexible management via SMB (Server Message Block).
For proper operation in new versions of Windows 10 and 11, you may need to enable SMB 1.0 support if you're connecting to very old devices (such as a NAS or Windows XP/7). However, connecting two Windows 10s isn't usually necessary, as they use SMB 2.0 or 3.0 by default.
⚠️ Note: The interface and menu item names may vary slightly depending on the Windows 10 build (versions 1909, 21H2, 22H2, etc.). Microsoft periodically updates the Settings menu design, moving settings to new subsections.
If automatic detection doesn't work, you can try mapping the network drive manually. To do this, select "Map network drive" in File Explorer, specify the drive letter, and enter the path in the "Folder" field in the following format: \\Computer_Name\Folder_Name or \\192.168.1.55\Share.
Troubleshooting connection errors
A common problem is when computers see the network but can't see each other. In 90% of cases, this is due to the network discovery service or firewall. Check that the service is running. Function Discovery Resource Publication was launched and operated in automatic mode.
To check, run the command prompt as administrator (press Win+X and select the desired option). Enter the command services.msc, find the specified service in the list, double-click on it and select the startup type “Automatic”, then click “Start”.
- 🔥 Your firewall may be blocking the connection. Try temporarily disabling it to check.
- 📛 Third-party antivirus programs (Kaspersky, ESET, Avast) often have their own built-in firewall, which is stricter than the system one.
- 🔄 Restarting the router and both laptops often solves problems with frozen network services.
Also, make sure the time and date are set to the same on both computers. Time differences can cause authentication errors in domain and workgroups.
Local connection security
By making files accessible, you potentially expand your attack surface. If someone connects to your Wi-Fi, they could theoretically access your shared folders. Therefore, it's critical to use a strong Windows login password and WPA2/WPA3 encryption on your router.
Disabling password protection for shared access is not recommended if you're in an office or apartment building with poor Wi-Fi coverage. It's better to enter the password once and save it in the Windows Credential Manager than to keep the "doors" open.
Regularly check the list of connected devices on your router. If you see an unfamiliar device name, change your Wi-Fi network password immediately. Your local network should remain a trusted zone.
What should I do if I get the message "No access" when entering a folder?
The "Access Denied" error often occurs due to a conflict between NTFS and share permissions. Go to the folder's properties → the "Security" tab. Add the "Everyone" user (or a specific user) and grant them read/write permissions. Permissions must be consistent across both the "Access" and "Safety" tabs.
Is it possible to connect laptops without a router?
Yes, this is called Ad-Hoc mode or "Computer-to-Computer." In Windows 10, this is done by creating a mobile hotspot on one laptop and connecting the second one to it as if it were a regular Wi-Fi network. After that, setting up shared folders is similar.
What is the maximum transfer speed for Wi-Fi?
Speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard (n, ac, ax) and band (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz). In the 5 GHz band, AC speeds can reach 400-800 Mbps, comparable to a wired connection. In the 2.4 GHz band, speeds rarely exceed 40-60 Mbps due to airborne noise.