Organizing file sharing between devices within a single space is a challenge faced by many users, whether in a home office or a small business. Local area network allows you to instantly transfer documents, photos, and videos without using flash drives or cloud storage, whose speed is often limited by your provider's plan. Modern operating systems, such as Windows 10, provide built-in tools to implement this function, but the setup process requires attention to detail.
Connecting two PCs wirelessly Wi-Fi has its own characteristics compared to a wired connection EthernetThe main difference lies in signal stability and security settings, which by default may block device detection. You'll need to ensure both computers are connected to the same router and configure sharing settings correctly so the system doesn't perceive the other device as a potential threat from the external network.
In this guide, we'll walk you through every setup step, from checking network profiles to forwarding ports for games or specific software. The key point is to change your network profile from “Public” to “Private”, as this action removes most of the restrictions on device visibility. Follow the instructions step by step, and you'll be able to create a secure communication channel between your machines.
Checking connection and network profiles
The first step before starting setup is to ensure both computers are physically on the same network. This means they must be connected to the same router, either via cable or over the air. If one PC is connected to the main router and the other to a repeater or guest network, they may not be able to see each other due to client isolation. (AP Isolation).
Particular attention should be paid to the type of network profile that is assigned Windows 10 When you first connect. By default, the system often selects the "Public Network" profile, which hides your computer from other devices for security reasons. You need to switch this status to "Private Network" to allow discovery.
To do this, open the Start menu and go to Settings, then select Network & Internet. In the left column, select Wi-Fi (or Ethernet if using a cable), click the name of your current connection, and select Private in the window that opens. Repeat this process on the second computer.
After changing the profile, the system will apply less restrictive firewall rules, allowing devices to exchange discovery packets. If you skip this step, even with the correct sharing settings, the computers will remain "invisible" to each other.
Setting up sharing options
The next step is to enable the features that control your PC's visibility and file sharing. These settings are located in the Network and Sharing Center, the classic interface for managing network settings in Windows.
To access the required menu, right-click the network icon in the system tray (near the clock) and select "Open Network & Internet settings." Scroll down and find the "Network and Sharing Center" link. In the left menu, select "Change advanced sharing settings."
Here you'll see several profiles, but we're only interested in the one marked "Private (current profile)." In this section, you need to enable the following options:
- 📡 Enable network discovery (check the box "Turn on automatic configuration of connected devices").
- 📂 Enable file and printer sharing.
- 🔐 Allow Windows to manage HomeGroup connections (if available).
It's also important to check the "All Networks" section below. Here, we recommend enabling sharing so that anyone on the network can access files, and selecting "Disable password-protected sharing" if you want to avoid constant login and password prompts when connecting from a trusted device.
⚠️ Important: Disabling password protection is only recommended for trusted home networks. In an office environment or with unauthorized devices within Wi-Fi range, this could create a vulnerability.
Be sure to save your changes by clicking the "Save Changes" button at the bottom of the page. After this, the Network Discovery service will restart, and your computer will begin actively advertising its presence on the network.
Assigning names and workgroups
For the network to function correctly, each computer must have a unique name but be in the same workgroup. This allows the system to understand that devices belong to the same logical domain and can communicate with each other without name conflicts.
Open Windows Settings, go to System, and scroll down to About. On the right, look for a link that says "Rename this PC" or "Rename this PC (restart)." Give your computer a descriptive name, such as PC-OFFICE or LAPTOP-HOME, using only Latin letters and numbers, without spaces and special characters.
Next, you need to ensure that the workgroup is the same on both devices. In the same "About" tab, on the right, select "Advanced system settings." In the window that opens, go to the "Computer Name" tab and click the "Change" button. Make sure the "Workgroup" field is set to the default value. WORKGROUPIf it says something else, change it to WORKGROUP.
After changing the name or workgroup, the system will require a reboot. This is mandatory, as network services are only initialized when the system starts with the new settings. Reboot both computers.
Advanced configuration via Windows services
Sometimes the default settings aren't enough, and computers stubbornly refuse to see each other even after a reboot. In such cases, the problem often stems from stopped system services responsible for discovering and publishing resources.
To check, press the key combination Win + R, enter the command services.msc and press Enter. In the list of services that opens, find the following items and ensure they are running and their startup type is set to "Automatic":
- 🖥️ Host node discovery function (Function Discovery Resource Publication).
- 🔍 Function Discovery Provider Host.
- 🌐 DNS Client Resolver.
If the Host Discovery service is stopped, network discovery won't work, even if all sharing options are enabled. Double-click the service, set the startup type to "Automatic," and click "Start."
It's also worth checking out the service SSDP Discovery, which is responsible for discovering network devices and services. Enabling it is especially important if you plan to share media content to Smart TVs or game consoles.
☑️ Network preparation checklist
Sharing folders
Once the infrastructure is set up, you need to grant access to specific data. You can share any folder on the drive, making it readable or writable from another computer.
Select the folder you want to share, right-click it, and select "Properties." Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Advanced." Check the "Share this folder" box.
In the same window, click the "Permissions" button. Here you can fine-tune permissions for the "Everyone" group or a specific user. By default, only "Read" is selected, but if you need to edit files from another PC, check "Full Control."
There's also a simplified method via the "Sharing" tab in the folder's properties. Select the desired user or "Everyone" group from the drop-down list, click "Add," and set the permission level. This method is more intuitive for beginners.
⚠️ Note: Granting "Full Control" to the "Everyone" group means anyone who connects to your Wi-Fi network will be able to delete or modify files in this folder. Use strong Wi-Fi passwords.
Once configured, the folder will be accessible over the network. The path to it will look like this: \\ComputerName\FolderNameThis path can be used to map a network drive.
Mapping a network drive and port forwarding
For easier access to shared folders, you can map them as a separate drive in "My Computer." This eliminates the need to search for the device in your network neighborhood each time. Open "This PC," right-click an empty space, and select "Add new network drive."
In the window that opens, select the drive letter (for example, Z:) and enter the path to the resource in the "Folder" field: \\PCName\FolderIf you've disabled password protection, the drive will mount immediately. Otherwise, the system will prompt you for the username and password of the user account on the remote computer.
If your goal isn't file sharing, but rather running a multiplayer game or specific software, you may need port forwarding. However, within a local network via a Wi-Fi router, port forwarding typically doesn't require setting up port forwarding on the router itself if the devices are on the same subnet.
Problems may occur if Windows Firewall is blocking incoming connections. Check your firewall settings by going to Control Panel → Windows Defender Firewall → Allow an app. Make sure the "Private" and "Public" boxes for your game or program are checked.
What to do if computers can't see each other?
If the computers aren't visible after all the settings, try running the command prompt as administrator and entering the command: ipconfig /flushdns. Then reboot the router. Also, check if your antivirus software (Kaspersky, ESET, Avast) is blocking the local network—they often have a "Public Network" mode that needs to be switched to "Trusted."
Diagnosis and solution of typical problems
Despite its apparent simplicity, setting up a Wi-Fi network can encounter a number of technical obstacles. The most common issues are unstable signal strength or IP address conflicts, especially if there are many devices on the network.
Check if the computers are receiving addresses from the same subnet. Open the command prompt (cmd) and enter ipconfigPay attention to the "IPv4 Address" and "Default Gateway" lines. The first three numbers of the IPv4 address should match on both PCs (e.g., 192.168.1.X), and the gateway (router) should be the same.
If the addresses match but ping fails, your router may be blocking traffic between Wi-Fi clients. This feature is called "AP Isolation" or "Client Isolation." Go to your router settings (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and find the "Client Isolation" option in the "Wireless" section. Set it to "Disable."
Below is a table of error codes and their meanings when diagnosing a network:
| Error Code / Message | Probable cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| 0x80070035 | The network path was not found. | Check the PC name, whether sharing is enabled, and whether the SMB 1.0 service is running. |
| No access / Denied | Incorrect rights or password | Check account passwords and disable password protection. |
| Timed out | Blocked by firewall | Check Windows Firewall and Antivirus on both PCs |
| IP conflict | Two devices with one IP | Reboot your router or set a static IP manually |
⚠️ Note: Router interfaces and Windows 10 versions may differ. The location of the "Client Isolation" or "Services" menu items may vary depending on the hardware model and OS build.
In conclusion, creating a local Wi-Fi network in Windows 10 is a process that requires sequentially configuring profiles, services, and access rights. By eliminating basic security restrictions and ensuring correct IP addressing, you'll have a fast and convenient way to share data.
How do I find out the IP address of another computer on the network?
On the remote computer, open a command prompt and type ipconfigYou're interested in the IPv4 address line. The IP address is also often displayed in the connection status window when you hover over the Wi-Fi icon.
Is it possible to connect computers without a router?
Yes, you can create a computer-to-computer (Ad-Hoc) network, but this feature is hidden in Windows 10 and requires complex command-line manipulation. It's easier and more reliable to use even the cheapest Wi-Fi router.
Why does the speed drop when transferring files over Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi speed is always shared among all connected devices and depends on the distance to the router, the presence of walls, and interference. Actual file transfer speeds over 5 GHz Wi-Fi are approximately 30-50 MB/s, while over a Gigabit Ethernet cable, you can achieve 100 MB/s or more.
How do I disable folder sharing?
Go to the folder properties, click the "Sharing" tab, click "Advanced" and uncheck "Share this folder." Alternatively, use the "Stop sharing" button in the simplified sharing menu.