How to connect two computers via Wi-Fi in Windows 10

Creating a local network between two devices isn't just a way to transfer gigabytes of photos, but also a fully-fledged bridge for collaboration or multimedia entertainment. In the operating system Windows 10 This process has become significantly more transparent than in previous versions, but it still requires careful configuration. Users often encounter computers that "don't see" each other, even though the Wi-Fi router is reliably distributing internet, and the cause lies in the security profiles.

To successfully integrate your devices into a single digital ecosystem, you don't need additional cables or complex networking equipment. All you need is for both devices to be within range of the same wireless network and have the correct sharing settings. Below, we'll walk you through every configuration step, from selecting the network type to forwarding specific folders, eliminating common mistakes.

Preparing equipment and checking statuses

The first step is a basic but critical check of the physical connection. Make sure both computers are connected to the same router or access point. If you have a dual-band router, it's best to have both devices operating on the same frequency, although modern systems can usually handle cross-band connections.

The second point is the status of the network profile. Windows 10 divides networks into "Public" and "Private." To establish communication between your devices, the profile must be strictly "Private," as in public mode, the system hides your computer from other network members for security reasons.

⚠️ Warning: If you are in a cafe or office with a private Wi-Fi network, do not switch your profile to "Private" under any circumstances, as this will make your files visible to strangers on that network.

You can check your current network status in the Network and Sharing Center. Right-click the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray and select "Network & Internet Settings." In the window that opens, make sure "Private" is listed under your network name. If it says "Public," simply click on that value and change it.

Setting up sharing options

Once the network profile has been changed, discovery mechanisms must be enabled. Without network discovery enabled, the computer will ignore Wi-Fi requests from neighboring computers, even if they are on the same subnet.

Open Control Panel, go to Network and Internet, and select Network and Sharing Center. In the left menu, find the link "Change advanced sharing settings." This is where the key switches for controlling your PC's visibility are hidden.

In the "Private (Current Profile)" section, do the following:

• 🔘 Turn on network discovery and check the box "Turn on automatic configuration of connected devices."
• 📁 Turn on file and printer sharing.
• 🔐 Allow Windows to manage HomeGroup connections (if available).

Don't forget to also check the "All Networks" section below. It's important to enable sharing there so that any network user can read and write files to shared folders. At the very bottom of the settings page, be sure to click "Save Changes"; otherwise, all your changes will be for nothing.

Creating a shared folder for data exchange

Simply enabling the network isn't enough—you need to determine which resources you want to share. Windows allows you to share individual files, entire directories, or even entire drives, although the latter is not recommended for security reasons.

Select the folder you plan to use as a sharing hub. Right-click it and select "Properties." Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Advanced." Check the "Share this folder" box.

Next, you need to configure permissions. Click the "Permissions" button. By default, the "Everyone" group is selected with read-only permissions. If you want the second computer to be able to not only retrieve files but also write their own (or delete yours), select the "Everyone" group and check "Full Control" in the "Allow" column.

Path to properties: Right-click on the folder → Properties → Access → Advanced settings

There's also a simplified method via the "Sharing" tab (without the word "Advanced"), where you can quickly add the "Everyone" user and assign them "Read and Write" permissions. This method is faster, but offers less control over fine-grained NTFS settings.

Search for computers on the network and connect

Once the settings are complete on both computers, let's move on to the search. Open File Explorer (by clicking Win + E) and select "Network" in the left navigation panel. If you see your computer and possibly other devices on the local network, the process has started successfully.

If the window is empty, although both PCs are connected, try refreshing the list by clicking F5, or just wait a few seconds. Sometimes the discovery service needs time to poll the network. You can also enter the IP address of the second computer in the address bar of File Explorer in the format \\192.168.1.XX.

When you first connect, the system may ask for credentials. This is a standard security procedure. WindowsYou'll need to enter the login and password for the user account on the computer whose folders you're accessing. If the account doesn't have a password, the system may block you from accessing it, requiring you to create one.

Solving visibility and access issues

Despite proper settings, situations may arise where devices stubbornly ignore each other. One common cause is a disabled discovery service. Click Win + R, enter services.msc and find the Function Discovery Resource Publishing service.

Make sure this service is running and its startup type is set to "Automatic." If it's stopped, network discovery won't work. You should also check the "SSDP Discovery" service, which is responsible for searching for media devices.

Another common blocker is an antivirus or firewall. Third-party antivirus programs often have their own firewall modules that block local connections, deeming them suspicious.

• 🛡️ Check your Windows Firewall settings: Make sure File and Printer Sharing is allowed for the private network.
• 🦠 Temporarily disable your third-party antivirus to test the blocking hypothesis.
• 🔄 Restart both computers after making changes to services.

Alternative file transfer methods

If fiddling with SMB settings and permissions seems too complicated or time-consuming, there are simpler, albeit less integrated, ways to transfer data between two computers running Windows 10.

Nearby Sharing is built into the system and works using Bluetooth + Wi-Fi Direct. It allows you to transfer files and links simply by selecting "Share" in the file's context menu. Both computers must have Bluetooth enabled and be discoverable.

You can also use cloud storage (OneDrive, Google Drive, Yandex.Disk) as an intermediary. Upload on one PC, download on another. This doesn't require network configuration, but it depends on your internet speed.

⚠️ Please note: Nearby Share only works at relatively close range and requires both devices to be signed in to a Microsoft account.

For professional work with large volumes of data (video editing, databases), classic network sharing is still preferable, as it provides a stable transmission protocol without speed limits from the provider.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)