How to connect two laptops via Wi-Fi: all the methods and step-by-step instructions

Connecting two laptops via Wi-Fi is a common task faced by both regular users and IT professionals. Whether you need to transfer files without a flash drive, collaborate on a project, or simply share internet from one device to another, there are countless use cases. But how do you do it correctly to avoid errors and ensure a stable connection?

In this article we will look at all current methods Connecting laptops via Wi-Fi: from standard Windows functions to advanced settings via the command line. You'll learn how to create ad-hoc network, use Wi-Fi Direct, set up mobile hotspot and even organize connections between devices running different operating systems. And also— How to bypass Windows 10/11 restrictions on creating hotspots without third-party software.

It doesn't matter if you work with ASUS ZenBook, MacBook Pro or Lenovo ThinkPad — The instructions will work for most modern models. The main thing is to make sure both laptops support the Wi-Fi standard. 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (almost all devices after 2010).

Method 1: Creating an ad-hoc network in Windows (without a router)

Ad-hoc (from the Latin "for this") is a temporary computer-to-computer network that allows two devices to connect directly. This method works in Windows 7/8/10/11, but in recent versions, Microsoft has hidden the graphical interface for setting it up. However, the method remains functional.

To create ad-hoc net:

1. Open Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center.
2. Select Setting up a new connection or network.
3. Scroll down and click Setting up a wireless computer-to-computer network (This item may not be present in Windows 11 - see alternative below).
4. Set the network name (SSID), security type (WPA2-Personal) and password (minimum 8 characters).
5. Activate the option Save settings for this network.

If your version of Windows does not have a graphical interface for ad-hoc, use command line:

netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid="MyAdHoc" key="12345678" keyUsage=persistent
netsh wlan start hostednetwork

After running the commands on the second laptop, find the created network in the list of available Wi-Fi networks and connect to it. Enable it to share files. File and Printer Sharing in the network settings.

Both laptops are turned on and within a 10 meter radius|

Wi-Fi adapters are working (check in Device Manager)|

The VPN is disabled on the second laptop (it may block the local connection)|

Antivirus does not block network connections (add an exception for the private network)

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⚠️ Note: In Windows 11 after the update KB5004296 (July 2021) function hostednetwork may not work on some adapters. In this case, use Wi-Fi Direct or third-party utilities like Connectify.

2. Method: Using Wi-Fi Direct (direct connection)

Wi-Fi Direct — is a technology that allows devices to connect directly without an intermediary (router). It is supported by most modern laptops and smartphones. The advantage of this method is high data transfer speeds (up to 250 Mbps in standard 802.11ac) and ease of setup.

How to connect via Wi-Fi Direct:

• 🔧 On the first laptop, open Settings → Devices → Bluetooth & other devices.
• 🔄 Choose Adding a Bluetooth or other device → Wireless display or docking station (yes, this point is also responsible for Wi-Fi Direct).
• 💻 On the second laptop, enable device detection Wi-Fi Direct (in the same settings or through the notification panel).
• 🔗 Confirm the connection on both devices.

Once connected, the laptops will be visible on the network as separate devices. Use the standard Wi-Fi connection to transfer files. Conductor (enter in the address bar \\[IP address of the second laptop]) or specialized programs like Feem or Send Anywhere.

Ad-hoc network|

Wi-Fi Direct|

Mobile hotspot|

Ethernet cable|

3. Method: Mobile hotspot (Internet distribution + connection)

If you need to not only connect laptops, but also distribute the Internet from one to another, the best option is to use the function mobile hotspotThis method works on Windows 10/11, macOS, and Linux, and also allows you to connect additional devices (smartphones, tablets) to the network.

Instructions for Windows:

1. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Mobile Hotspot.
2. In the field Sharing an Internet connection select a source (eg Ethernet or Wi-Fi, if the first laptop is connected to the router).
3. Click Change and set the network name (SSID) and password (minimum 8 characters).
4. Enable the option Allow other devices to use my internet connection.

On the second laptop, connect to the created access point as you would to regular Wi-Fi. To transfer files between devices, enable Network discovery V Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Advanced Sharing Settings.

⚠️ Attention: If the mobile hotspot does not turn on with an error "Unable to set up mobile hotspot", check if your Wi-Fi adapter supports the mode AP (Access Point). A list of compatible adapters can be found on the manufacturer's website (for example, Intel or Qualcomm Atheros).

4. Method: Connection via a router (LAN via Wi-Fi)

If you have a home router, the most reliable way to connect laptops is to connect them to the same Wi-Fi network. This way, the devices will be on the same subnet, allowing you to:

• 📁 Share files over a local network;
• 🎮 Play online games (for example, Minecraft or CS:GO in LAN mode);
• 🖥️ Remotely control one laptop from another via RDP or TeamViewer;
• 🔄 Synchronize data between devices (for example, via Resilio Sync).

To make laptops "see" each other on the network:

1. Make sure both devices are connected to the same router.
2. On each laptop, open Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Advanced Sharing Settings.
3. Turn on Network discovery, File and Printer Sharing And Password-protected sharing (Disable the last item if you want easier access).
4. Restart both devices.

Once configured, you will be able to access shared folders by entering Conductor path \\[IP address of the second laptop] or its network name (for example, \\DESKTOP-ABC123). To find out the IP address, run in the command line ipconfig (Windows) or ifconfig (macOS/Linux).

How to speed up file transfers over Wi-Fi?

If the file transfer speed between laptops is low (less than 10 MB/s), try:

1. Switch the router to the 5 GHz channel (less crowded than 2.4 GHz).

2. Change the channel width to 40 MHz or 80 MHz in the router settings.

3. Disable the power saving mode for the Wi-Fi adapter on both laptops.

4. Use an archiver (such as 7-Zip) to compress files before transferring.

Method 5: Connecting laptops on macOS and Linux

If one of the laptops is running on macOS or Linux, the connection process will be slightly different. Let's consider both cases.

For macOS (Monterey, Ventura, Sonoma):

• 🍎 Open System Preferences → Sharing.
• 🔄 Turn on the option Internet access sharing and select the source (for example, Ethernet).
• 📡 In the field For computers using mark Wi-Fi.
• 🔐 Click Wi-Fi settings and set the network name, channel and password.
• 🔘 Activate sharing by pressing the button Turn on.

For Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora):

Use the utility nmcli To create an access point:

sudo nmcli dev wifi hotspot ifname wlan0 ssid "MyLinuxAP" password "12345678"

To enable file transfer, please install Samba:

sudo apt install samba
sudo smbpasswd -a [your_username]

Then edit the configuration file /etc/samba/smb.conf, adding a section for the shared folder.

⚠️ Note: On some Linux distributions (e.g. Arch Linux) to create an access point you need to additionally install the package hostapd and set up dnsmasqFor detailed instructions, check your distribution's wiki.

6. Problems and solutions when connecting laptops via Wi-Fi

Even with proper setup, errors can still occur. Let's look at the most common issues and how to fix them.

If the laptops are connected but cannot exchange files:

1. Make sure it is enabled on both devices. File and Printer Sharing.
2. Make sure the folders you want to access are marked as General (right click → Properties → Access).
3. Turn off Windows Firewall or add an exception for file sharing (Control Panel → Firewall → Allow a program through Firewall).
4. Try using the IP address instead of the network name (eg. \\192.168.1.100 instead of \\NOUTEBOOK-NAME).

7. Alternative programs for connecting laptops

If the default OS tools aren't suitable, third-party programs can be used. They offer additional features, such as traffic encryption, unlimited large file transfers, and cross-platform support.

Top 5 programs for connecting laptops via Wi-Fi:

• 🌐 Feem — a cross-platform solution for transferring files without settings (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android).
• 📎 Send Anywhere — file transfer via P2P connection with generation of a one-time key.
• 🔗 Connectify Hotspot — an advanced alternative to the built-in mobile hotspot (paid, but with a trial version).
• 🖥️ TeamViewer — not only for remote control, but also for transferring files between devices.
• 📡 Virtual Router Plus — a free utility for creating a virtual access point (analogous to netsh, but with a graphical interface).

When choosing a program, please pay attention to:

• 🔒 Encryption support (for example, AES-256 V Feem);
• 📥 Limit on the size of transferred files (in free versions, the limit is often 1-2 GB);
• 🖥️ Cross-platform (if you need to connect Windows with macOS or Linux).

For maximum file transfer speed, we recommend using Feem or Send Anywhere - they are optimized for work in local networks and show speeds up to 50 MB/s with a stable connection.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about connecting laptops via Wi-Fi

Is it possible to connect a laptop to a MacBook and a Windows laptop?

Yes, it will work for that. Wi-Fi Direct or connecting via a shared router. MacBook turn on File sharing V System Preferences → Sharing, and on Windows - Network discoveryTo transfer files, use Conductor (enter smb://[MacBook IP address] in the address bar).

How do I find out the IP address of a second laptop for connection?

In Windows: Open a command prompt and type ipconfig — look for the line IPv4 address in the section Wireless LAN adapter.

On macOS: Open Terminal and do it ifconfig | grep "inet ".

In Linux: Enter in the terminal hostname -I.

Why is file transfer speed via Wi-Fi lower than via cable?

Wi-Fi is always slower than Ethernet because:

• Interference from other networks (especially at 2.4 GHz);
• Limitations of the standard (for example, 802.11n maximum 150 Mbps, and 802.11ac — up to 867 Mbit/s);
• Encryption overhead (WPA2/WPA3).

To speed up the transfer:

• Use 5GHz band;
• Connect to the router using the standard 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) or 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6);
• Compress files before transferring (for example, in .zip or .rar).

Is it possible to connect laptops via Wi-Fi without a password?

Technically yes, but that's unsafeWithout a password, your network will be accessible to any device within Wi-Fi range. If you need a password temporarily (for example, to quickly transfer files), use:

• On Windows: Create ad-hoc network with security type Open (not recommended);
• On macOS: In the Sharing preferences, select Without security (for testing only!);
• In Linux: When creating a hotspot via nmcli do not specify a password (password "").

After transferring files Be sure to turn it off open network!

How to connect laptops if the Wi-Fi on one of them is broken?

If the Wi-Fi adapter does not work, alternative methods:

• 🔌 Ethernet cable: connect laptops directly via port LAN (may be required crossover cable for older models).
• 📶 Bluetooth: suitable for transferring small files (speed up to 3 MB/s).
• 📱 USB modem: If one of the laptops has internet access via 4G, share it as a hotspot via USB (via USB-tethering).
• 💿 Local area network via USB adapter: buy USB Wi-Fi adapter (For example, TP-Link TL-WN725N) and connect it to the broken laptop.