Creating a local area network between two computers without using wires is a task that is becoming increasingly important in modern offices and home environments. Wireless connection Allows you to quickly share large files, play online games, or collaborate on documents without running Ethernet cables throughout your entire apartment. Modern Wi-Fi standards provide sufficient bandwidth for comfortable data transfer if the equipment is configured correctly.
The process of combining devices is based on the correct configuration of network profiles and permission to access shared resources by the operating system. Windows 10 And Windows 11 have built-in tools for this, but they are often hidden or disabled by default for security reasons. Understanding how they work local network will help you avoid typical mistakes when computers are physically close to each other, but “don’t see” each other.
In this article, we'll walk you through every setup step: from checking your hardware to forwarding ports and creating shared folders. You won't need any complex third-party software, as the standard OS functionality is sufficient. The key is to follow each step sequentially and ensure that security settings don't block legitimate traffic between your devices.
Checking hardware and network requirements
Before beginning the software setup, ensure your hardware is ready for operation. Both computers must be equipped with Wi-Fi adapters that support infrastructure mode. It's best to have both devices within range of the router's signal, as connection speed directly depends on the quality of the radio channel.
It's critical that both PCs are connected to the same wireless network. If one computer is on the guest Wi-Fi and the other on the main Wi-Fi, or if one is connected by cable and the other by air, but to different routers, the connection will fail. IP addresses devices must be on the same subnet, which usually happens automatically when working through a single router.
⚠️ Warning: If you use public Wi-Fi in a cafe or office with corporate security, the creation of a local network between your devices may be blocked by the network administrator at the provider equipment level.
It's also worth checking the driver versions for your wireless adapter. Outdated software can cause connection instability or fail to support the required discovery protocols. Update the drivers through Device Manager or download the latest version from the laptop or motherboard manufacturer's website.
Setting up a network profile in Windows
The first software step is to change the network profile from "Public" to "Private." By default, Windows considers any new connection potentially untrusted and hides your computer from other devices. To work on a local network, you must inform the system that you are in a trusted environment.
To do this, open the network settings. Windows 10 Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi, then click on your network name. Windows 11 The path may vary slightly: Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Properties. Find the Network Profile section and switch the radio button to Private.
After changing the profile, the system will automatically apply more lenient firewall rules, allowing device discovery. This is a fundamental step, without which further network discovery will be futile. Check the network status, ensuring that the private profile icon now appears in the list of active connections.
Enable network discovery and sharing
The next step involves configuring sharing settings. Even with a private profile, file sharing features may be disabled. You need to open the Control Panel, go to Network and Internet, then Network and Sharing Center.
In the left menu, select "Change advanced sharing settings." Here you'll see settings for different profiles. Make sure the following options are enabled under "Private (Current Profile)":
- 🔍 Enable network discovery
- 📂 Enable file and printer sharing
- 🔐 Let Windows manage HomeGroup connections (if available)
It's also recommended to enable password-protected shared file systems only if you're confident in the security of user passwords. For home use, it's often more convenient to temporarily disable password protection to avoid having to enter credentials each time you connect, but in the office, this is a good idea. strongly not recommended.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling password protection makes your shared folders accessible to anyone who connects to your Wi-Fi network. Use this method only in a fully trusted home environment.
After making changes, be sure to click "Save Changes." The system may require administrator privileges to apply the new rules. If the changes don't apply, try restarting your computer.
☑️ Check access settings
Create a shared folder for file sharing
Now that the network is set up, you need to create a location where the files will be shared. Select the drive or partition where you plan to store the shared data. Create a new folder, for example, Share or Exchange.
Right-click the folder and select "Properties." Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Advanced." Check "Share this folder." Below, click "Permissions."
In the window that opens, you'll see a list of groups and users. By default, the "Everyone" group may be listed. Select it and check the boxes for "Full Control," "Change," and "Read" in the bottom section. This will allow the second computer to not only read but also write files to this folder.
What should I do if the Access tab is missing?
If you don't see the Sharing tab in the folder properties, check if the Server service is enabled in Windows. Press Win+R, enter services.msc, find the Server service and make sure it is running and the startup type is set to Automatic.
There's also a simpler way via the "Sharing" tab (without the word "Advanced"). You can simply select "Everyone" from the drop-down list, click "Add," and set the permission level. Both methods are equivalent, but the advanced method offers more control.
Connecting to another computer by IP address
Sometimes automatic discovery doesn't work correctly, and computers don't show up in the network neighborhood. In this case, the most reliable method is a direct connection via IP addressFirst, you need to find out the address of the target computer.
On the computer you want to connect to (let's call it PC-2), open the command prompt (cmd) and enter the command:
ipconfigFind the line "IPv4 Address". It will look something like this: 192.168.1.45 or 192.168.0.105Write down these numbers. Now go to the first computer (PC-1).
Press the key combination Win + Rto open the Run window. Enter two backslashes and the IP address of the second computer, for example:
\\192.168.1.45Press Enter. If all settings are correct, a File Explorer window will open, displaying the shared folder created in the previous step. For convenience, you can right-click this folder and select "Mount as network drive" to make it appear as a separate drive in My Computer.
Comparing connection methods and troubleshooting
There are several ways to establish a connection, each with its own advantages. Below is a table comparing the main methods for connecting two PCs.
| Method | Complexity | Speed | Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared folder (SMB) | Average | High | Average |
| HomeGroup (old OS) | Low | Average | High |
| FTP server | High | Very high | Low (no encryption) |
| Third-party software (TeamViewer) | Low | Low (via the Internet) | High |
If the connection fails, check your firewall. Sometimes third-party antivirus programs (Kaspersky, ESET, Avast) block local connections, considering them suspicious. Try temporarily disabling your antivirus's firewall for diagnostic purposes.
Also, make sure the Function Discovery Resource Publishing service is running on both computers. Find it in the list of services (services.msc) and set the startup type to "Automatic." This is a critical component for displaying computers in the network environment.
⚠️ Note: Windows settings interfaces may vary depending on your OS build version and updates. If you can't find the option you need, use the system settings search or refer to the official Microsoft documentation for your version.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to connect two PCs via Wi-Fi without a router?
Yes, this is possible using Wi-Fi Direct technology or by creating a virtual access point (Ad-hoc network) on one of the computers. However, in modern versions of Windows, creating an Ad-hoc network through the graphical interface has been deprecated and requires the use of the command line (netsh wlan) or third-party utilities.
Why can't computers see each other in a network environment?
Most often, the problem stems from a "Public" network profile instead of "Private," a disabled discovery service, or SMB ports being blocked by an antivirus program. Differences in SMB protocol versions (v1 vs. v2/v3) can also be a problem.
What is the maximum data transfer speed for Wi-Fi?
Speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard (n, ac, ax) and distance. Under ideal conditions, with the standard Wi-Fi 5 (AC) you can achieve 40-50 MB/s real copy speed, and on Wi-Fi 6 The figures can be significantly higher, approaching the speed of a gigabit cable.
Do I need to turn off the Internet for the local network to work?
No, the internet can operate simultaneously with the local network. The router distributes traffic correctly: requests to local IP addresses are routed within the network, while requests to external resources are routed to the internet.