How to connect two computers via a Wi-Fi router

Creating a local area network (LAN) between two or more computers connected to a single Wi-Fi router is fundamental for sharing files, organizing network storage, or sharing peripherals. This process doesn't require any additional cabling if both devices are already on the same wireless network, but it does require proper operating system configuration. Modern versions of Windows, such as 10 and 11, have significantly simplified this process compared to earlier versions, but the basic principles of the TCP/IP protocol remain unchanged.

The main difficulty users encounter isn't the physical connection, but rather firewall settings and network profiles, which by default block device discovery for security reasons. To successfully connect two computers, they must be on the same subnet and have the appropriate discovery services enabled. In this article, we'll walk you through all the setup steps in detail, eliminating common errors and misunderstandings of technical terms.

Physical connection and testing of network interfaces

The first step is to ensure both computers are physically or logically connected to the same router. This means both devices must be connected either via an Ethernet cable to the router's LAN ports or wirelessly. Wi-Fi to the same access point. A mixed connection (one via cable, the other via Wi-Fi) is also acceptable and often even preferable for the stability of large data transfers.

Once connected, you need to make sure that both devices are assigned IP addresses from the same subnet. Routers usually assign addresses automatically through DHCP server, starting, for example, with 192.168.0.100 and 192.168.0.101. To check this parameter on Windows, open the command prompt and enter the command ipconfigto find the "IPv4 address" line.

If the addresses are in different ranges (for example, 192.168.1.x and 192.168.0.x), the computers won't see each other without manual configuration. Ideally, the first three digits of the address should match, but the last digit should be different. It's also important to check that the network activity indicator is lit on both computers, and that the network adapter drivers are installed correctly and don't have any conflicts in Device Manager.

⚠️ Attention: Make sure "AP Isolation" is disabled on your router. This feature is often enabled on guest networks and prevents Wi-Fi-connected devices from communicating with each other, allowing them to access the internet only.

Setting network type and discovery options in Windows

By default, the Windows operating system considers any new network connection "Public," which implies strict security rules and hides the computer from other devices. To create a local network, you need to change the network profile to "Private" (or "Home" in older versions), which will allow discovery of the PC and access to shared resources.

To edit your profile, go to Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi (or Ethernet)Click the name of your current network and select the "Private" profile type. This will allow incoming connections for services required for your home network. Without this step, other computers will simply not see your device as available.

Next, you need to enable network discovery. Open Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settingsIn the "Private" profile, enable the "Turn on network discovery" and "Turn on file and printer sharing" options.

It's important to note that changes don't take effect immediately, and sometimes a reboot of the network adapter or a complete reconnection to Wi-Fi is required. It's also worth checking that the "Function Discovery Resource Publishing" service is running. To do this, click Win + R, enter services.msc and find the relevant services in the list, making sure that their startup type is set to "Automatic".

Organizing shared access to folders and files

Once computers are "visible" to each other at the network level, you need to grant access to specific data. Simply connecting to the network isn't enough—you must explicitly tell the system which folders can be opened by other users. This is done through the folder properties on the "Access" tab.

Select the folder you want to share, right-click it, and select "Properties." Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Advanced." Check "Share this folder" and click "Permissions." Here you can configure who has read, change, or full control permissions for files.

• 📁 Reading: The user can only open and copy files, but cannot delete or modify them.
• ✏️ Change: Creation of new files, editing and deletion of existing ones is allowed.
• 🔑 Full access: The user gains owner rights, including changing access rights for others.

There's also a simplified method via the "Sharing" tab in the folder properties, where you can quickly add the "Everyone" user and assign them permissions. However, for a more secure configuration, we recommend using advanced settings and creating separate accounts for network users to control access.

Please remember that when attempting to access the folder from another computer, the system may prompt you for a username and password. In this case, you must enter the credentials for the computer where the folder is located, not the one you're connecting from. This is a common error that results in access being denied.

Creating a Network Bridge and Port Forwarding (Advanced)

In some cases, standard detection isn't sufficient, especially if you need to access specific applications or games over a local network. In this case, you may need to configure static IP addresses so that the server computer's address doesn't change after a router reboot.

To assign a static IP, go to Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settingsRight-click your connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), select "Properties," then "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" and enter the address manually. Make sure the gateway and DNS settings match your router's settings.

Using static addresses is especially useful for setting up port forwarding on a router if you plan to set up a server or remote access from outside. In the router interface (usually the Port Forwarding or Virtual Server) you need to specify the internal IP address of the computer and the port that the application uses.

For example, the Minecraft game server uses port 25565 by default. By creating a rule, you'll direct all traffic coming to this port from the external network to a specific computer within your LAN. This requires caution, as it opens your PC to internet access.

Using the command line for diagnostics and connections

The Windows graphical interface sometimes hides important details or malfunctions. In such cases, console commands come to the rescue. They can be used to check the availability of another computer, flush the DNS cache, or force an IP address update.

The basic command to check the connection is pingOpen the command prompt (cmd) and type ping 192.168.1.50 (replacing it with the IP address of the target PC). If you see the response "Response time < 1 ms," then there is a physical connection. If it says "Timeout exceeded," the problem is at the network or firewall level.

ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
net view

Team net view Allows you to see a list of all computers the current machine considers accessible on the local network. If the desired computer doesn't appear in the list, but pinging works, the problem lies with the discovery settings or sharing services.

It is also useful to use the command net use to connect a network folder as a network drive. For example: net use Z: \\192.168.1.50\SharedFolderThis will create a virtual drive Z: on your computer that will link directly to the folder on the remote machine, which is very convenient for ongoing work.

Troubleshooting common access errors

Even with proper configuration, users often encounter errors such as "Windows cannot access...," "Incorrect user name or password," or "The network path was not found." Most often, the cause is a disabled SMB 1.0 service or an account conflict.

In Windows 10 and 11, support for the older SMB 1.0 protocol is disabled by default due to vulnerabilities, but some older devices or NAS storage devices require it to be enabled. You can check this in Control Panel → Programs and Features → Turn Windows features on or off.

⚠️ Attention: Enabling the SMB 1.0 protocol reduces your system's security. Only do this if you are absolutely certain there is no alternative and the device is on a trusted, isolated network.

Another common issue is a blank account password. By default, Windows security policy prevents access to shared resources from accounts that don't have a password. The solution is to either set a password for the user or enable the "Turn off password-protected sharing" option in the advanced sharing settings.

If all else fails, try temporarily disabling Windows Firewall and antivirus software on both computers to diagnose the issue. If the connection is restored after this, you need to create an exception in the firewall rules for "Private Networks" rather than keeping protection disabled permanently.

Alternative methods of data transfer and synchronization

If setting up a classic local network seems too complicated or unstable, there are alternative ways to connect two computers. They can use the same Wi-Fi channel but operate over the internet or create a direct connection, bypassing complex Windows settings.

One modern method is to use Nearby Sharing in Windows 10/11. This technology uses Bluetooth for discovery and Wi-Fi Direct for file transfer. It doesn't require folder sharing and works similarly to AirDrop in the Apple ecosystem.

Also popular are synchronization programs such as Resilio Sync or SyncthingThey establish a permanent connection between devices through a cloud-based intermediary server (which only maps IP addresses), after which data is transferred directly over the local network at high speed if the devices are nearby.

What is Wi-Fi Direct and how is it different from a regular network?

Wi-Fi Direct allows devices to connect directly to each other, without the need for a router or access point. One device becomes a virtual router. This is convenient for quickly transferring photos from a phone to a PC, but for setting up full-fledged file sharing between two desktop computers, a traditional LAN connection via a router is still more stable.

For one-time transfers of large files (tens of gigabytes), you can use special utilities like Feem or Dukto (and its forks), which create a local web interface for file transfer. They work immediately after installation, without requiring Windows permissions or passwords.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to connect computers if one is on Windows and the other is on macOS or Linux?

Yes, this is possible. The SMB protocol used by Windows is also supported on macOS (via Finder → Go → Connect to Server) and Linux (via Nautilus or Dolphin). However, additional settings for access rights and SMB protocol versions (SMB2/SMB3) may be required to ensure compatibility.

Why is Wi-Fi transmission speed so much slower than cable?

Wireless connections are susceptible to interference, have significant overhead for encryption and packet inspection, and divide the channel's bandwidth among all connected devices. Ethernet cables (especially Cat5e and higher) provide a stable, lossless gigabit connection.

Is internet required for a local network to function?

No, it's not necessary. A local area network (LAN) operates independently of the wide area network (WAN/Internet). A router is only needed as a switch to connect devices. You can even disconnect the ISP cable from the router's WAN port, and file sharing between computers will continue to work.

Is it safe to keep sharing enabled all the time?

If your network profile is set to "Private" and you're on a home network behind a NAT router, it's relatively secure. However, in public places (cafes, airports), always select the "Public" profile to hide your PC from prying eyes.

How do I find out the IP address of another computer if it is not visible on the network?

You need to physically go to that computer, open a command prompt and type ipconfigWrite down the IPv4 address. Then, on your computer, in File Explorer, enter the following in the address bar: \\192.168.x.x (by substituting the address), and access should open directly.