Setting up a local network between two computers is one of the basic tasks users face when they need to quickly transfer large amounts of data or launch a network game. Modern versions of the operating system Windows 10 Provide built-in tools that allow you to set up file sharing without the need for additional cables or third-party software. The main advantage of this approach is data transfer speed, which significantly exceeds Bluetooth, and convenience, as no physical connection between devices is required.
The setup process may seem complicated at first glance, but it boils down to following a series of steps in the system settings and control panel. The key point The key here is to properly configure the network profile, as the system may block detection of other devices by default for security reasons. Understanding how protocols work TCP/IP and detection mechanisms will help avoid common errors and quickly establish a stable connection.
In this article, we'll cover every step of setting up a local network, from checking the hardware to fine-tuning folder permissions. You'll learn how to change the network type to private, enable necessary services, and forward ports if standard methods don't work. Make sure both computers are connected to the same Wi-Fi router access point, as connecting between different networks requires setting up static routes.
Checking equipment and preparing for setup
Before starting software configuration, you need to ensure that the hardware is in good working order and meets the basic requirements. Both computers must be equipped with working wireless adapters that support the following standards: 802.11n or newer to ensure sufficient transfer speed. If one of the computers is located far from the router, the signal quality may be unstable, resulting in connection drops or slow file transfer speeds.
It's also important to check that both devices have the latest network adapter drivers installed. Outdated software may not work correctly with new security protocols or detection features. Windows 10Go to Device Manager and make sure the network controller is working without any errors indicated by a yellow exclamation mark.
⚠️ Attention: Some corporate Wi-Fi networks feature client isolation, which physically prevents traffic exchange between connected devices. In home routers, this feature is also sometimes accidentally enabled, in which case connecting computers is only possible via cable or by changing the router settings.
To diagnose the current connection status, you can use the built-in command line utility. Open a terminal and enter the command ipconfigto find your device's current IP address. Write this address down, as you'll need it for a direct connection if automatic detection fails.
Changing the network type to private
One of the most common reasons why computers can't see each other is when the network profile is set to "Public." In this mode Windows Hides your PC from other devices and blocks incoming connections, thinking you're in a public place, like a café. To allow data exchange, you need to switch the profile to "Private Network."
To do this, go to the Start menu, select the gear icon to open Settings, and open the Network & Internet section. Select Wi-Fi from the list on the left, then click the name of your current connection. In the window that opens, find the profile switcher and set it to Private. This will allow your PC to be discovered and enable the necessary network services.
This procedure must be performed on both computers planned for the local network. If one device remains configured with the "Public" profile, it will ignore discovery requests from the other computer. You can check the status via the command line by entering the following query: netsh interface show interface, where your adapter will be listed in the "Name" column, and its current profile will be listed next to it.
Setting up sharing options
After changing your network profile, you need to enable discovery and sharing features in the Control Panel. Open the Control Panel, go to Network and Sharing Center, and select Change advanced sharing settings on the left. These are the key settings that determine your computer's visibility on the network.
Under "Private (Current Profile)," ensure the following options are enabled: "Turn on network discovery," "Turn on automatic configuration of connecting network devices," and "Turn on file and printer sharing." These settings allow the computer to broadcast and receive presence signals and respond to resource access requests.
At the bottom of the window, under "All Networks," we recommend enabling the "Turn off password-protected sharing" option if you're on a trusted home network and want easier access. However, if you're transferring sensitive data over the network, it's best to leave protection enabled and use the same accounts with the same passwords on both PCs.
☑️ Setting up sharing
Create a shared folder for file sharing
To transfer files, simply connecting computers isn't enough; you need to explicitly tell the system which resources can be accessed by other users. Create a new folder or select an existing one you plan to use for sharing. Right-click it, select "Properties," and then go to the "Sharing" tab.
Click the "Advanced Setup" button and check the "Share this folder" box. Below, under "Permissions," ensure that the "Everyone" group has read and write permissions if you want the second computer to be able to download and upload files to this folder. Once the settings are applied, the folder will be accessible over the network.
For more flexible permissions management, you can use the "Security" tab in the folder properties. Here, you can add a specific user or group and assign them granular permissions, such as "Modify" or "Full Control." This is especially useful if you have more than two computers connected to the network and need to restrict access.
| Access type | Reading | Recording | Removal | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Read only | Yes | No | No | For general documents |
| Joint | Yes | Yes | No | For work projects |
| Full access | Yes | Yes | Yes | For personal folder |
| Forbidden | No | No | No | For system files |
Search for computers and connect by IP address
If automatic detection works correctly, connected computers will appear in the "Network" section of File Explorer. Windows ExplorerHowever, it often happens that the system cannot resolve the computer name, and in this case, the only way is to connect via a direct IP address. You can find out the IP address of the target computer by opening the command prompt on it and entering the command ipconfig.
On the first computer, open File Explorer and enter two backslashes and the IP address of the second computer in the address bar, for example: \\192.168.1.55Press Enter. If the settings are correct, a window will open displaying the available shared resources on the remote PC. For convenience, you can right-click the network drive that appears and select "Mount as network drive" to make it appear as a separate volume in "My Computer."
When attempting to connect, the system may prompt you for credentials. In this case, you must enter the login and password for the user account on the remote computer. If the accounts don't have a password, but the security policy requires one, you will need to either create a password or edit the local security policy using the editor. gpedit.msc, allowing blank passwords.
What to do if the IP address is dynamic?
If your router assigns addresses dynamically, they may change after a reboot. To avoid this, configure a static IP address in the TCP/IPv4 protocol properties or reserve an address in the router's DHCP settings, binding it to the MAC address of the network card.
Troubleshooting and
Even with proper configuration, situations may arise where computers stop seeing each other. Often, the problem lies in Windows services that have stopped for some reason. Check the "Simple Service Discovery Protocol Discovery Resource Publishing" and "Discovery Provider Host" services. They should be running and set to "Automatic" as the startup type.
Another common cause of blocking is firewall or third-party antivirus settings. Ensure that "File and Printer Sharing" is allowed for private networks in your firewall rules. Sometimes, temporarily disabling your antivirus to test whether traffic is being blocked can help.
⚠️ Attention: Windows 10 settings interfaces are regularly updated by the developers. The location of some menu items or the names of settings may differ depending on the build version (21H2, 22H2, etc.). If you can't find a setting you're looking for, search for keywords in the system settings.
To diagnose network problems, you can use the utility pingEnter . ping [IP address of the second PC] in the command line. If you get a response from the node, the physical connection and underlying protocol are working, and the problem should be looked for in the sharing settings or folder permissions. If you're experiencing timeouts, check your Wi-Fi connection and router settings.
Questions and Answers
Is it possible to connect two computers via Wi-Fi without a router?
Yes, this is possible using the Mobile Hotspot feature or creating a computer-to-computer (Ad-hoc) network. One computer distributes Wi-Fi, and the other connects to it as a regular access point. However, the speed and stability of this connection may be lower than with a full-fledged router.
Why can't computers see each other on the network?
The most likely causes are different network profiles (public instead of private), a disabled discovery service, being blocked by an antivirus, or being on different subnets. Also, check that the SMB 1.0 protocol is enabled if you're trying to connect to a very old device.
What is the maximum data transfer speed for Wi-Fi?
Speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard (n, ac, ax), channel width, and distance between devices. Under ideal conditions, using the standard Wi-Fi 5 (AC) It is possible to achieve real speeds of 400-800 Mbps, which is comparable to a fast wired connection, but much inferior to Gigabit Ethernet.
Do user accounts need the same password?
This isn't necessary, but it makes life much easier. If the passwords are different, Windows will constantly prompt you for authorization every time you access resources. For complete convenience, you can create identical accounts with the same passwords on both PCs.