How to connect two computers to a local network via Wi-Fi: 5 proven methods

Connecting two computers to a local network via Wi-Fi is a challenge faced by both experienced users and novices. This connection allows for quick file sharing, online gaming, or access to shared resources without the need for wires or additional equipment. However, many people mistakenly believe that this requires a router or complex configuration.

There are actually several ways to set up a direct connection between PCs over a wireless network, from creating adhoc networks (peer-to-peer) to using the features of modern operating systems. In this article, we will examine all the current methods, including the nuances for Windows 10/11 And macOSWe'll also explain how to avoid common setup mistakes. We'll pay special attention to connection security and data transfer speed optimization.

1. Preparing to create a Wi-Fi network between computers

Before you begin setup, make sure both devices meet the minimum requirements. This will avoid any issues during the connection process.

Basic conditions for a successful connection:

• 🖥️ Both computers must have Wi-Fi adapters (built-in or external). Check their availability in Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager → Network Adapters).
• 🔄 Operating systems: Windows 7/10/11, macOS 10.12+ or Linux with support ad-hoc regime.
• 🔐 One of the PCs must have an administrator account (to create a network).
• 📶 The distance between devices is no more than 10-15 meters indoors (without obstacles). For longer distances you will need Wi-Fi amplifiers or directional antennas.

If you have an older laptop or PC without built-in Wi-Fi, you can use an external adapter (for example, TP-Link TL-WN725N or ASUS USB-AC53 Nano). Make sure the drivers for the adapter are installed and updated. Windows This can be done through Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates.

⚠️ Attention: Some budget Wi-Fi adapters (especially those with chips) Realtek RTL8188) may not support the mode ad-hocBefore purchasing, check the model specifications on the manufacturer's website.

2. Method 1: Creating a Computer-to-Computer (Ad-Hoc) Network in Windows

This is a classic method that works in Windows 7/10/11It allows you to create a temporary network without a router, where one device acts as an access point.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Open Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center.
2. Select Setting up a new connection or network → Setting up a wireless ad hoc network.
3. Set network parameters:
   • 🔤 Network name (SSID): any convenient (for example, MyPC-Network).
   • 🔐 Security type: select WPA2-Personal (the safest).
   • 🔑 Security key: Create a password that is at least 8 characters long (e.g. SecureNet123!).

Check the box Save settings for this network and press Next.

After creating the network, connect the second computer to it as if it were a regular Wi-Fi hotspot. To do this:

5. On the second PC, open the list of available networks (Win + A → Wi-Fi).
6. Select the created network (MyPC-Network) and enter the password.

If the network is not displayed, check if the Wi-Fi adapter is enabled on both devices. Windows 11 This can be done through Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.

3. Method 2: Using the Mobile Hotspot feature (Windows 10/11)

In modern versions Windows there is a built-in function Mobile hotspot, which simplifies creating an access point. This method is more reliable. ad-hoc, since it uses standard mode Infrastructure.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Mobile Hotspot.
2. In the field Sharing an Internet connection select Wi-Fi.
3. Click Change and ask:
   • 🔤 Network name (For example, PC-Hotspot).
   • 🔐 Password (minimum 8 characters).
   • 📡 Range: if both PCs support 5 GHz, select it for greater speed.

Turn on the toggle switch Mobile hotspot.

Now the second computer can connect to this network as if it were a regular router. The advantage of this method is automatic settings. DHCP, so IP addresses will be assigned automatically.

⚠️ Note: If you cannot access local resources after connecting, check your settings public access V Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settingsTurn on network discovery and file sharing for the profile. Private.

4. Method 3: Connecting via Wi-Fi Direct (for modern devices)

Wi-Fi Direct — a technology that allows devices to connect directly without an intermediary (router). It is supported by most modern laptops and PCs with adapters. Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and newer.

How to enable Wi-Fi Direct in Windows:

1. Open Command line as administrator (Win + X → Command Prompt (Administrator)).
2. Enter the command to check support:

   netsh wlan show drivers

   Find the line Hosted network support — it should be Yes.

3. Start the hosted network:

   netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=DirectNet key=12345678 keyUsage=persistent

   Here DirectNet — network name, 12345678 - password.

4. Activate the network:

   netsh wlan start hostednetwork

On the second computer, connect to the network DirectNetThis method provides speed up to 300-500 Mbps (when using Wi-Fi 5), which is enough for transferring files or streaming video.

To turn off the network, use:

netsh wlan stop hostednetwork

How to check the actual connection speed?

To test the speed between two PCs, you can use the utility iPerf3Install it on both computers, and run the server on one (iperf3 -s), on the second one is the client (iperf3 -c [server IP address]).

5. Setting up shared access to files and folders

Once the connection is established, you need to set up sharing so that the computers can exchange data.

Steps for Windows:

1. On the PC from which you want to grant access, open Conductor.
2. Right-click on the folder → Properties → Access → Share.
3. Select a user All and press Add.
4. Set the access level (Reading or Reading and writing).

To access from another computer:

5. Open Conductor and enter in the address bar \\[IP address of the first PC] (For example, \\192.168.137.1).
6. When prompted, enter the login and password for the first PC account (if required).

For macOS:

• 📁 Open System Preferences → Sharing.
• 🔄 Turn on File sharing and add the folder to the list.
• 👥 In Users select All and set the rights.

operating system	Path to sharing settings	Max. transfer rate (Mbps)
Windows 10/11	Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Advanced Sharing Settings	400-600
macOS Ventura	System Preferences → Sharing → File Sharing	300-500
Linux (Ubuntu)	Settings → Sharing → Local Network	200-400

6. Solving typical connection problems

Even with proper setup, errors can still occur. Let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Computers can't see each other on the network

• 🔍 Check that both devices are connected to one network (for example, to MyPC-Network, and not to different access points).
• 🔄 Restart your Wi-Fi adapters: Device Manager → Network Adapters → Disable/Enable device.
• 📋 Make sure it is enabled on both PCs network discovery (Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settings).

Problem 2: No access to shared folders

• 🔐 Check permissions: the folder must be shared with the user All or a specific account.
• 🛡️ Temporarily disable firewall or antivirus (for example, Kaspersky, Avast), as they can block network connections.
• 🔧 Make sure the protocol is enabled on both PCs SMB 1.0 (for compatibility with older devices): Control Panel → Programs → Turn Windows features on or off.

Problem 3: Low data transfer rate

• 📶 Switch to range 5 GHz (if adapters support it).
• 📍 Reduce the distance between devices or remove obstacles (walls, metal objects).
• 🔄 Change the Wi-Fi channel in the network settings (for example, from automatic to fixed 6 or 11).

⚠️ Warning: If you use Windows 11 And macOS Monterey/Ventura, please pay attention to the protocol features SMBIn new versions macOS support is disabled by default SMB1, which may cause compatibility issues. Turn on SMB2/3 in the Sharing preferences on your Mac.

7. Alternative ways to connect two computers

If a Wi-Fi connection is not possible (for example, due to a lack of adapters), consider alternative options:

1. Direct Ethernet connection (via cable)

• 🔌 Use crossover cable (or a regular patch cord if the ports support it Auto MDI-X).
• 🖥️ Set up static IP addresses on both PCs (e.g. 192.168.1.1 And 192.168.1.2).

2. Connecting via Bluetooth

• 📲 Suitable for transferring small files (up to 100 MB).
• 🔗 Turn on Bluetooth on both devices and pair them.

3. Using cloud services

• ☁️ Upload files to Google Drive, Dropbox or Yandex Disk, then download to the second PC.
• 🔒 Cons: Depends on internet speed and file size limits.

4. Local network via USB (using a special cable)

• 🔌 Required USB-Link cable (For example, Belkin Easy-Transfer).
• 💻 Transfer speed: up to 480 Mbps (USB 2.0) or 5 Gbps (USB 3.0).

8. Security when connecting computers via Wi-Fi

The local network between two PCs can become vulnerable to attack if precautions are not taken. Follow these recommendations:

Basic safety rules:

• 🔐 Use WPA2-PSK or WPA3 for network encryption. Avoid outdated WEP.
• 🔑 Set a complex password (at least 12 characters, with numbers and special characters).
• 🛡️ Disable sharing for all folders except those you need.
• 📡 Hide the network's SSID (in the access point settings) so that it is not visible in the list of available networks.
• 🔄 Regularly update your Wi-Fi adapter drivers and operating system.

If you are sharing sensitive data, consider additional measures:

• 🔒 Encrypt files before transferring (for example, using 7-Zip or VeraCrypt).
• 🌐 Use VPN to create a secure tunnel between devices.

To check the security of your network, you can use utilities like Wireshark (for traffic analysis) or Nmap (for scanning open ports). However, for most home tasks, standard security tools are sufficient. Windows And macOS.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about connecting computers via Wi-Fi

Is it possible to connect a Windows computer and a Mac via Wi-Fi?

Yes, it is possible. Set up an access point on one of the devices (for example, via Mobile hotspot V Windows), then connect your Mac to that network. To share files on macOS turn on File sharing in system settings and add the folder. Windows connect via protocol SMB (enter in Conductor smb://[Mac IP address]).

What is the maximum file transfer speed between two PCs via Wi-Fi?

The speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard:

• Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n): to 150-300 Mbps (actually ~50-100 Mbit/s).
• Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac): to 867 Mbps (actually ~200-400 Mbit/s).
• Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax): to 2.4 Gbps (actually ~500-800 Mbit/s).

In practice, speed is also limited by OS settings, CPU load, and the presence of interference.

Do I need to install additional software to share files?
No, in most cases standard means are sufficient. Windows (General access) or macOS (File sharing). However, for convenience, you can use:
• Feem — a cross-platform utility for transferring files over Wi-Fi.
• LocalSend — open source software for sharing files on a local network.
• Resilio Sync — to synchronize folders between devices.

How do I find out the IP address of the second computer to connect to?

IN Windows:

1. Open Command line (Win + R → cmd).
2. Enter ipconfig and find the line IPv4 address to connect Wireless network.

IN macOS:

1. Open System Preferences → Network.
2. Select an active connection and view the IP address.

Is it possible to play over a local network created via Wi-Fi?

Yes, but with some reservations:

• 🎮 For most games (eg. Minecraft, Counter-Strike) enough speed 50-100 Mbps, which provides Wi-Fi 5.
• 🔄 For shooters with high ping requirements (for example, Valorant, Fortnite) it is better to use wired connection — Wi-Fi delays can reach 20-50 ms.
• 📡 If the game supports LAN mode, create a network through Mobile hotspot and connect both PCs to it.