In today's digital world, there's often a need to quickly transfer large amounts of data from one device to another. Using external hard drives or flash drives isn't always convenient, especially when the files are tens of gigabytes in size and you don't have a suitable storage device on hand. Local area network, organized using a wireless protocol, becomes an ideal solution for owners of equipment based on the Microsoft operating system.
Establishing such a connection allows not only to exchange documents but also to run multiplayer games, share printers, and even stream multimedia content to other devices in real time. The entire process doesn't require complex equipment or extensive networking knowledge; simply following a specific procedure and checking security settings is sufficient.
In this article, we'll cover every setup step in detail, from checking drivers to creating shared folders, so you can easily establish communication between your devices. You'll learn how to avoid common mistakes, why computers might not see each other, and what settings to use. TCP/IP require your attention first and foremost.
Preparing equipment and checking drivers
Before setting up network communication, you need to make sure that both laptops are technically ready for operation. First, check that the drivers for both devices are installed and working correctly. Wi-Fi adaptersLack of up-to-date software can result in unstable connections or complete loss of wireless network.
Both laptops must be within range of the router's signal. If one device is reaching its limits, data transfer speeds will drop to a minimum, and the connection may be constantly disconnected. Also, make sure that discovery is enabled on both computers.
⚠️ Attention: Antivirus programs or the built-in Windows firewall may be blocking connection attempts. If the network still doesn't work after all the settings have been adjusted, try temporarily disabling your third-party antivirus to check.
You can use Device Manager to check the driver status. Right-click the Start button and select the appropriate option from the menu. In the window that opens, find the "Network Adapters" section and make sure there are no yellow exclamation marks next to your wireless device.
☑️ Network readiness check
Configuring network settings and access profile
The key to setting up local data exchange is choosing the right network profile. Windows 10 offers several options, but only one is suitable for our purposes: Private networkIf your laptops are connected to the "Public" profile, the system will hide the device from others, considering the network potentially dangerous.
To change the profile, go to System Settings from the Start menu. Select "Network & Internet," then click on the name of your Wi-Fi connection. In the window that opens, find the profile switcher and set it to "Private." This must be done on both laptops.
After changing your profile, the system will allow other devices on the same network to see your computer. This is a fundamental requirement for detection protocols started working correctly. Without this step, further folder sharing will be useless.
Enabling network discovery features
Even with the correct network profile, file sharing features may be disabled in Windows settings. You'll need to manually enable network discovery and file sharing. Open Control Panel and go to Network and Sharing Center.
In the left pane of the window, select "Change advanced sharing settings." Here you'll see several profiles matching your current network settings. Make sure the private profile is selected and enable the following options:
- 📡 Turn on network discovery.
- 📁 Enable file and printer sharing.
- 🔑 Allow Windows to manage HomeGroup connections.
It's also important to pay attention to the "All Networks" section. It's recommended to enable sharing here so that anyone connected to the network can access files. However, if you're working with sensitive data, it's best to leave access password-protected, as discussed below.
Creating shared folders and setting up access
Once the network infrastructure is configured, you need to determine which resources will be available to the second laptop. You can share any folder on your hard drive, making it visible to other users on the local network. To do this, right-click the folder and select "Properties."
Go to the "Access" tab and click "Advanced." Check the box next to "Share this folder." Below, you can adjust permission levels by clicking "Permissions" to determine whether other users can only read files or also modify and delete them.
| Permission type | Full access | Change | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| User A | ✅ Allow | ✅ Allow | ✅ Allow |
| User B | ❌ Ban | ❌ Ban | ✅ Allow |
| Group All | ❌ Ban | ❌ Ban | ✅ Allow |
| Guest | ❌ Ban | ❌ Ban | ❌ Ban |
Don't forget to also check the "Security" tab in the folder's properties. Sometimes network access is allowed, but NTFS permissions block a specific user from logging in. Add the "Everyone" group or a specific user to the list and grant the necessary permissions.
How to disable password request?
If you trust everyone on your network, under "All Networks," find "Password-protected sharing" and select "Disable." This will make signing in easier, but will reduce security.
Searching for devices and connecting to shared resources
Once both laptops are set up, it's time to find them on the network. Open File Explorer and select "Network" in the left navigation panel. The names of both computers should appear here. If you see your computer but not the other one, try refreshing the list or restarting both devices.
For a direct connection, you can use the IP address. Find out the local IP address of the target laptop by entering the command in the command line. ipconfigFind the IPv4 address line, it will look something like this 192.168.1.XX.
C:\Users\User> ipconfigWireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:
IPv4 address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.55
Subnet mask. . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default gateway . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
Enter the resulting address into the address bar of File Explorer on the second laptop, adding two backslashes at the beginning, for example: \\192.168.1.55If everything is configured correctly, a window will open displaying available shared folders. The system may request the login and password of the user account used to log in to the remote PC.
Diagnosing problems and troubleshooting errors
Despite the seemingly simple setup, users often encounter situations where computers cannot see each other. One common cause is running Windows services. Ensure the "Connect Now Discovery Resource Publishing" service is started and running automatically.
Problems can also arise due to differences in SMB protocol versions. In Windows 10, the legacy SMBv1 is disabled by default, but sometimes you need to explicitly enable SMBv2 or SMBv3 support. Check if SMB 1.0/CIFS file sharing support is enabled in Windows Features, although it's better to use newer versions for security.
⚠️ Attention: Settings interfaces and menu item names may vary slightly depending on your Windows 10 build version (Home, Pro, Enterprise) and system updates. If you can't find an item, use the search in system settings.
If all else fails, try resetting your network settings. Network settings include a "Network Reset" feature that will reinstall your network adapters and restore their original settings. This often resolves mysterious connection issues that can't be diagnosed manually.
Command to reset the network
Open Command Prompt as administrator and enter: netsh winsock reset . Be sure to restart your computer after running the command.
Why doesn't the second laptop see the first one in the network list?
Most often, the problem lies with the network profile. Make sure the network is marked as "Private" on both devices. Also, check that the "Connect Now Device Discovery Host" service is enabled.
Is it possible to connect laptops without a router?
Yes, it's possible. You can create a direct computer-to-computer (Ad-hoc) wireless connection, although this feature is hidden in Windows 10 and requires configuration via the command line or creating a mobile hotspot with specific settings.
What is the maximum Wi-Fi transfer speed on a local network?
Speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard (n, ac, ax) and the router's power. Under ideal conditions, 802.11ac can achieve speeds of up to 400-500 Mbps, but actual performance is usually lower due to interference and distance.
Is internet required for a local network to function?
No, internet access is not required. A local network operates between devices directly through a router or switch. The main thing is that the devices are connected to the same router, even if it doesn't have access to the external network.