Establishing local data exchange between two computers connected to the same wireless network is a basic task for many users. This allows for quick transfer of large files without the need for external drives, printer sharing, or even online gaming. Modern operating systems, such as Windows 10 And Windows 11, have built-in tools to implement this function, but their operation often depends on the correct security settings.
The connection process does not require any cables, but does require a stable connection. Wi-Fi signal and a working router. If both devices see the wireless network and can access the internet, the physical connection is already established. All that remains is to correctly configure the software so that the computers "see" each other and allow data exchange.
In this article, we'll cover all setup steps in detail, from checking the network type to forwarding ports for specific tasks. You'll learn which settings need to be changed in the registry and group policies to avoid common access errors. Proper Configuration local network (LAN) will not only provide convenience, but also increase the efficiency of working with data.
Checking the connection and network type
The first step is to ensure both computers are connected to the same wireless network. Users often mistakenly connect one device to the router's guest network and the other to the main network, which results in them being on different subnets and unable to see each other. It's also important that both computers are on the same frequency band if the router doesn't automatically combine them.
A critical point is the network profile assigned by the operating system upon first connection. Windows divides networks into "Public" and "Private." In the public profile, the system blocks the computer's visibility to other devices for security reasons. To enable local file sharing, the network must be marked as private on both computers. Private.
You can check the current status in the system settings. If you have the "Public" profile, you'll need to change it. Without this step, further settings may not work, as Windows Firewall will block incoming connections.
- 📡 Make sure both PCs are connected to the same SSID (Wi-Fi network name).
- 🔒 Change the network profile to "Private" in the Wi-Fi settings.
- 📶 Check the signal level on both devices for stable transmission.
Setting up sharing in Windows
After setting up your network profile, you need to enable discovery and sharing. In modern versions of Windows, these settings are hidden in "Advanced sharing settings." This is where you enable the mechanism that allows computers to announce their presence on the network and accept connection requests.
Find the "All Networks" section and enable the password-protected sharing option, or disable it if you want easier access without entering credentials. However, it's important to remember that disabling password protection reduces the security of your local network, making it vulnerable to other devices connecting to your Wi-Fi.
This menu also enables data encryption during transmission. For a home network where all devices are trusted, the default settings can be used. It's important to ensure that network discovery is enabled for the current profile (Private).
⚠️ Important! Disabling password protection for shared access is only permissible in a fully trusted home network. In offices or other locations with a large number of users, leaving it enabled is mandatory.
☑️ Setting up sharing
Be sure to save your changes by clicking the corresponding button at the bottom of the settings window. Sometimes the system may require a restart of network services or the computer itself for the new security policies to take effect.
Advanced firewall settings
Even with the correct profile settings, the built-in Windows Firewall can block connections. It controls incoming and outgoing traffic based on rules. For the local network to function, connections for "File and Printer Sharing" must be allowed in the firewall rules.
Windows typically creates these rules automatically when you switch your network profile to "Private." However, in some cases, especially when using third-party antivirus software, these rules may be ignored or deleted. In this situation, a manual review of the list of allowed applications is required.
If you're using third-party antivirus software, it may have its own firewall that completely ignores Windows settings. In this case, you'll need to open the antivirus interface and find the network settings, adding the local subnet to the list of trusted zones.
- 🛡️ Open Windows Defender Firewall through Control Panel.
- ✅ Make sure "File sharing" is enabled for the private network.
- 🚫 Check if your third-party antivirus is blocking local connections.
How to reset firewall settings?
If you're confused about your rules, you can restore the firewall to its default settings. To do this, select "Restore Defaults" in the firewall window. This will delete all rules you've created, so use with caution.
Creating a shared folder and setting permissions
Once the network infrastructure is configured, you need to create a resource that computers will share. Simply enabling sharing isn't enough—you need to explicitly tell the system which folder to make available to other network users.
Select the folder you plan to use, right-click it, and go to Properties. On the "Sharing" tab, click "Sharing." Here you can add users (for example, "Everyone" or a specific user) and assign them permission levels: "Read" or "Read and Write."
For more flexible rights management, you can use the "Security" tab. Here you can set NTFS permissions, which apply even when logged in locally. Make sure the account logged in on the other PC has read and write permissions to this folder.
| Permission type | Description of action | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | The user can open and copy files | For general documents, photos, videos |
| Recording | The user can create new files | For data sharing folders |
| Change | The user can delete and rename files | For work projects |
| Full access | Full control over the folder and rights | For administrators only |
Mapping a network drive and searching for a PC
Once the folder is shared, the second computer should see it. In Windows Explorer, go to the "Network" section. If everything is configured correctly, you'll see the name of the first computer. When you try to log in, the system may ask for the username and password for the first computer's account.
For ease of use, you can map the shared folder as a network drive. This will allow you to work with files on the remote computer as if they were on your PC's hard drive. To do this, right-click "This PC" in File Explorer and select "Map network drive."
Specify the drive letter and path to the shared folder in the format \\ComputerName\Folder or \\IP address\FolderUsing an IP address is often more reliable because it eliminates NetBIOS name resolution issues that sometimes arise on mixed networks.
⚠️ Please note! IP addresses on your local network may change after rebooting your router. For consistent operation, we recommend setting up a static IP address for your PC in the router or using DHCP reservation.
Diagnostics and problem solving
If the computers can't see each other, first check visibility in the command line. Run the command ping with the remote computer's IP address. If responses are received, then there's a physical connection, and the problem lies in software settings or access rights.
A common problem is the "Browser Computer" service or discovery services, which may be stopped. It's also worth checking whether SMB 1.0 support is enabled, although this is no longer required on modern systems and is even unsafe. Windows 10/11 uses SMB 2.0 and 3.0 by default.
Sometimes restarting the Device Connection Manager or SSDP Discovery service helps. These system components are responsible for searching for devices on the network and correctly identifying them by the operating system.
netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group="File and Printer Sharing" new enable=YesThis command is run as administrator.Administrator in the command line, forcibly enables firewall rules for public access. This is useful if manually enabling it through the interface doesn't work.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why can't computers see each other even though they have the same Wi-Fi?
Most likely, one of the computers has the "Public" network profile set, which hides the PC from detection. Also, check if network discovery is enabled in the advanced sharing settings.
Do you need internet access to use a local Wi-Fi network?
No, internet access is not required. The local network operates between devices within your router's Wi-Fi network. Even if the ISP cable is disconnected, file transfers between PCs will work as long as the router is on.
How do I find out the IP address of a computer to connect to?
Open command prompt (cmd) and enter the command ipconfigFind the "IPv4 Address" line in the section for your wireless adapter. It usually looks like 192.168.xx.
Is it possible to connect a PC directly without a router via Wi-Fi?
Yes, it's called Ad-Hoc mode, but in modern versions of Windows, this feature is hidden or removed. It's easier and more reliable to use any Wi-Fi router, even without an internet connection, as an access point.