How to Connect Two Laptops via Wi-Fi in Windows 10: 3 Working Methods

Connecting two laptops via Wi-Fi without a router is a challenge users face when transferring files, collaborating, or setting up a local network. Windows 10 There are built-in tools for creating a direct connection (ad-hoc networks), but they are hidden deep in the settings or require the command line. Many people mistakenly try to use Bluetooth or cloud services, although direct Wi-Fi gives speed up to 300 Mbps (in theory) and works without the Internet.

In this article we will look at three proven methods: through Mobile Hotspot (the simplest), command line (for experienced users) and third-party utilities like Connectify (if the built-in methods don't work). We'll also find out why the connection might be dropping, how to set up file and folder sharing, and what to do if the laptops can't see each other. All instructions are relevant for Windows 10 versions 1903–22H2, but most of the steps will work for Windows 11.

Before you begin, make sure both laptops support Wi-Fi Direct or Wi-Fi ad-hoc (almost all models after 2012). If one of the laptops is connected to the Internet via Ethernet or 4G modem, it can be made a “distributing” one - then the second laptop will have access to the network.

Method 1: Mobile Hotspot (without command line)

This is the fastest method if one of the laptops has internet access (not required). Hot spot Turns your laptop into a virtual router that a second laptop can connect to. Disadvantage: If there's no internet, the network will still be created, but the data transfer speed will be lower than with a direct connection. ad-hoc connection.

How to set up:

• 📋 Open Settings → Network & Internet → Mobile Hotspot on a laptop that will distribute Wi-Fi.
• 🔄 In the field "Sharing" select the connection through which the laptop receives the Internet (for example, Ethernet or Wireless network). If there is no internet, leave the default value.
• 🔐 Click "Change" next to the network name and password. Set SSID (network name) and a password of at least 8 characters. Use only Latin letters and numbers!
• 🔘 Turn on the switch Allow use of my internet connection.

Now on the second laptop:

• 📶 Find the created network in the list of available Wi-Fi networks and connect to it by entering the password.
• 🔗 After connecting, check the connection: open Command line and enter

  ping 192.168.137.1

  (If the IP does not respond, see the Connection Problems section).

The laptop router has enabled Wi-Fi distribution|The second laptop has connected to the network|The IP addresses of both devices are on the same subnet (192.168.137.x)|Ping is working without packet loss

-->

⚠️ Attention: If the internet on the second laptop doesn't work after connecting to a hotspot, check the settings "Public access" V Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settingsRight-click on the main connection (for example, Ethernet), select "Properties", then the tab "Access" and check the box Allow other network users to connect through your Internet connection.

2. Method: Command Prompt for ad-hoc network

This method creates direct connection between laptops without intermediaries, which speeds up file exchange. Suitable for Windows 10 All versions are supported, but require administrator rights. The main advantage: no internet connection required, and data transfer speeds are higher than via a hotspot.

Instructions for the laptop that will be create a network:

1. Open Command line as administrator (click Win + X and select Command Prompt (Administrator)).
2. Enter the command to create the network:

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

   Here MyAdHoc — network name (can be replaced), and 12345678 — password (minimum 8 characters).

3. Start the network with the command:

   netsh wlan start hostednetwork

On the second laptop:

• 🔍 Find the created network MyAdHoc in the Wi-Fi list and connect to it.
• 🔧 If the network is not visible, update your drivers Wi-Fi adapter or check support ad-hoc in the adapter settings (see spoiler below).

How to check ad-hoc support in drivers?

Open device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager), find your Wi-Fi adapter in the section Network Adapters, right-click → "Properties" → tab "Additionally"Look for parameters like Ad-Hoc 11n, Wireless Mode or 802.11n ModeIf there is a possibility to choose 802.11b/g or 802.11n, install 802.11b/g - this increases ad-hoc compatibility.

To stop the network, use the command:

netsh wlan stop hostednetwork

⚠️ Attention: After restarting the laptop The ad-hoc network will automatically disconnect.To make it run at system startup, create .bat-file with command netsh wlan start hostednetwork and add it to Autoload (the folder is located on the path C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup).

3. Method: Third-party utilities (Connectify, Virtual Router)

If the built-in methods do not work (for example, the drivers do not support hostednetwork), use router programs. The most reliable ones are:

• 🌐 Connectify Hotspot (Paid, but there's a trial period). Supports internet sharing and local area network creation.
• 🖥️ Virtual Router Plus (free, open source). Simple interface, but may conflict with some antivirus programs.
• 🔗 mHotspot (free, portable version). Lightweight, but no technical support.

Example of setup Virtual Router Plus:

1. Download the program from official website (avoid third party sources!).
2. Install and run as administrator.
3. In the field «Network Name (SSID)» enter the network name in «Password» - password.
4. IN «Shared Connection» Select the connection through which the Internet is distributed (if any).
5. Click «Start Virtual Router».

On the second laptop, connect to the created network as you would to a regular Wi-Fi network. If the program doesn't launch, check the following:

• 🛡️ Turn it off firewall or antivirus temporarily.
• 🔄 Update your drivers Wi-Fi adapter.
• 📥 Install .NET Framework 3.5 (required for many similar utilities to work).

4. Setting up shared access to files and folders

After successfully connecting the laptops, you need to configure public accessto transfer files. In Windows 10 this is done through Home group (obsolete) or Advanced Sharing.

Steps for both laptops:

1. Open Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Advanced Sharing Settings.
2. Turn on Network Discovery And File and Printer Sharing for profile Private.
3. Turn it off Password-protected sharing (if you want to simplify the connection).

Now select the folder you want to share:

1. Right-click on the folder → "Properties" → tab "Access".
2. Click Share and select a user All (Everyone).
3. Set the access level ("Reading" or Reading and writing).

To access a folder from another laptop:

• 📁 Open Conductor and enter in the address bar

  \\[IP address of the first laptop]

  (For example, \\192.168.137.1).
• 🔑 If prompted for login/password, use the account details for the first laptop.

5. Why laptops don't see each other: troubleshooting

If the connection is established, but the laptops do not “see” each other on the network, check:

Check 1: Working Group

• Both laptops should have the same working group (default - WORKGROUP).
• You can view/change it in System Properties → Computer Name → Change.

Check 2: IP addresses

• Open Command line and enter

  ipconfig

  .
• Make sure that the IP addresses of both laptops are in the same subnet (e.g. 192.168.137.1 And 192.168.137.2).
• If the IP starts with 169.254.x.x, Means, DHCP didn't work — assign IP manually:

Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Tap on the network name → Scroll to “IP settings” → Manual
IP: 192.168.137.2
Mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.137.1

Check 3: Firewall

• Temporarily disable Windows Firewall and antivirus (for example, Kaspersky or Avast often block local connections).
• If everything works after disabling, add an exception for File and Printer in the firewall settings.

⚠️ Attention: If you use Windows 10 Pro/Enterprise, check Group Politicians (gpedit.msc). Go to Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Network → Network Connections and make sure that the parameter Deny access to connection properties disabled.

6. Alternative methods: Bluetooth, cable, cloud

If you can't set up a Wi-Fi connection, consider these alternatives:

Bluetooth

• 📲 Suitable for transferring small files (up to 10 MB/s).
• 🔗 Turn on Bluetooth on both laptops, make devices "Open for discovery" and send the file via Control Panel → Devices and Printers.

Direct cable connection (Ethernet)

• 🔌 Required crossover cable (or regular LAN-cable, if the ports support it Auto-MDI/MDIX).
• 🖥️ Configure IP addresses manually (e.g. 192.168.1.1 And 192.168.1.2) and disable the firewall.

Cloud services

• ☁️ Suitable for large files, if you have internet access. Use Google Drive, Dropbox or Mega.nz (the latter encrypts the data).
• 🔒 For sensitive data, set up "Password-protected link".

Critical information: If you need to transfer files larger than 4 GB, a Wi-Fi connection between laptops will be 5-10 times faster than cloud services (at a speed of ~50 Mbps, actual transfer will take ~10 minutes versus 1-2 hours via the Internet).

7. Security: How to secure your connection

Direct Wi-Fi connections are vulnerable to data interception, especially if you use them in public places. Key risks:

• 🕵️ Sniffing (traffic interception) - an attacker can "eavesdrop" on transmitted files.
• 🔓 Password guessing - if you use a simple password (for example, 12345678), the network will be hacked in a few minutes.

How to protect yourself:

• 🔐 Use complex password (at least 12 characters, with letters, numbers and special characters).
• 🛡️ Turn on WPA2-PSK encryption (this is the default mode in hostednetwork and hot spot).
• 📡 Turn off the network when it is not needed (using the command netsh wlan stop hostednetwork).
• 🔗 To transfer confidential data, use password-protected archives (7-Zip, WinRAR) or encryption (VeraCrypt).

If you need to transfer very important data (for example, documents or access codes), it is better to use:

• 🔌 Cable connection (Ethernet) - it is more difficult to intercept.
• 💾 Flash drive with hardware encryption (For example, Kingston IronKey).

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to connect a laptop to Windows 10 And Windows 11?

Yes, all the described methods work cross-version. The main thing is that both devices have updated drivers. Wi-Fi adapter. IN Windows 11 The hotspot creation interface has changed slightly, but the essence is the same: Settings → Network & Internet → Mobile Hotspot.

Why is file transfer speed low (1-2 MB/s)?

Reasons:

• 📶 Laptops are located far from each other or there are walls between them (the signal is weakened).
• 🔄 The Wi-Fi adapter is working in mode 802.11b/g (maximum 54 Mbps). Switch to 802.11n in the driver settings.
• 💻 One of the laptops uses hard disk drive (HDD) (read/write speed is limited to ~100 MB/s).

Solution: Move the laptops closer, update the drivers or use archiver (For example, 7-Zip) to compress files before transferring.

How to share internet from one laptop to another via Wi-Fi?

If the first laptop is connected to the Internet via cable or 4G modem, when creating a hotspot or ad-hoc network, select this connection in the settings "Sharing"For example, in Mobile hotspot must be specified Ethernet or Local Area Network Connection*.

If the Internet is not distributed:

• Check if it is enabled "Public Access" in the properties of the main connection.
• Disable your antivirus (for example, Avast blocks distribution).

Is it possible to play on a local network using this connection?

Yes, but with some reservations:

• 🎮 For older games (eg. Counter-Strike 1.6, Warcraft III) that's enough ad-hoc networks.
• 🖥️ Modern games (GTA V, Call of Duty) require a stable connection - it is better to use cable or router.
• 📡 Delay (ping) via Wi-Fi is usually above 50 ms, which is critical for shooters.

For games, set up port forwarding manually or use programs like Hamachi (virtual VPN network).

How can I make this connection permanent (so I don't have to configure it every time)?

Automation methods:

• 📜 For ad-hoc networks: create .bat-file with commands:

  @echo off
  netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=MyAdHoc key=12345678
  netsh wlan start hostednetwork

  and add it to Autoload.

• 🔄 For hot spot: use Task Scheduler (taskschd.msc) to enable distribution at system startup.
• 🛠️ For third-party utilities (for example, Connectify): in the program settings, enable Run at Windows startup.