How to Connect Computers to a Local Area Network via WiFi: A Complete Guide

Creating a local network between devices is no longer the preserve of system administrators at large companies. Today, when every user has multiple devices—from a laptop to a desktop PC—the need to quickly transfer gigabytes of photos or launch a game over the network is becoming commonplace. Local Area Network (LAN) Wi-Fi eliminates the clutter of wires and allows you to organize a unified information space in your apartment or small office.

Unlike a wired connection, wireless technology requires more careful configuration of security settings and discovery protocols. Windows, being the most popular operating system, has built-in tools for this, but they are often hidden or disabled by default for security reasons. Understanding the basic principles of operation IP addressing and shared folders will allow you to avoid hours of searching for a solution where the problem can be solved in a couple of clicks.

In this article, we'll walk you through the entire process, from preparing your equipment to troubleshooting common access issues. You'll learn how to make your files accessible to all devices in your home, and why computers sometimes fail to recognize each other, even when they're in the same room. The key point is that all devices belong to the same subnet and have the same network profile.

Preparing equipment and checking basic conditions

Before delving into the operating system settings, you need to make sure the physical connection is working correctly. All computers you plan to connect must be connected to the same wireless router. It doesn't matter if you're using a single router. TP-Link, Asus or a complex mesh system, the main thing is that the devices are in the same network segment.

Check the connection status on each computer. The WiFi icon in the system tray near the clock should be lit, with no yellow exclamation marks. If one computer is connected via cable and the other via wireless, this is normal; modern routers automatically combine wired and wireless clients into a single network.

• 📡 Make sure that the WiFi adapter is enabled on all PCs and the correct SSID (network name) is selected.
• 🔒 Make sure you know your WiFi password, as the system may ask for it again when you change your network profile.
• 💻 Make sure your computers have up-to-date drivers for network cards.

An important aspect is the network profile type that Windows assigns when you first connect. To enable local data exchange, the profile must be private, not public. A public profile prevents the device from being visible to others, which is a security measure in cafes or airports, but can be disruptive when working at home.

Setting up a network profile and discovery in Windows

The most common reason why computers can't see each other is due to sharing settings. The operating system hides your PC from prying eyes by default, and this feature must be enabled manually. This can be done through the Control Panel or the new system settings.

Go to the menu Settings → Network & Internet → StatusHere you need to find the "Sharing options" (or "Sharing settings") item. In the window that opens, you will see profiles: private network, guest network, or all networks. It is in the private network section that you need to enable network discovery.

⚠️ Attention: Enabling network discovery makes your computer visible to other devices. Only do this if you trust everyone connected to your WiFi router.

Check the boxes next to "Turn on network discovery" and "Turn on file and printer sharing." It's also recommended to allow Windows to manage HomeGroup connections, if this option is available in your OS version. After applying the settings, the system may prompt you to confirm administrator privileges.

After enabling discovery, it's a good idea to reboot the network stack. This can be done by simply turning the WiFi adapter off and on again, or via the command line. Enter the command ipconfig /renewto renew the IP address, although in most cases the router's DHCP server will issue the same address.

Assigning static IP addresses and testing connectivity

For stable operation of your local network, especially if you plan to frequently access shared folders, it's best to assign IP addresses to devices. Although the router can assign addresses dynamically, they may change after a reboot, resulting in loss of access to resources.

To find out your current address, open a command prompt (press Win + R, enter cmd) and enter the command ipconfigFind the line "IPv4 address". It usually looks like this: 192.168.1.X or 192.168.0.XRemember this address, you will need it to connect from other computers.

To set up a static address, go to Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing CenterClick the name of your WiFi connection, then "Properties." Find "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" in the list, select it, and click "Properties."

In the window that opens, select "Use the following IP address." In the IP address field, enter the desired address (for example, 192.168.1.50), the subnet mask will be filled in automatically, and in the "Default gateway" field, enter the address of your router (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). DNS can be specified from the provider or public from Google (8.8.8.8).

After setting up static addresses, test the connection between the computers. Open the command prompt on one PC and enter ping 192.168.1.51 (the second computer's address). If you see responses like "Reply from...," the physical connection and basic IP configuration were successful.

Sharing folders and setting access rights

Once the network is set up, it's time to make the files accessible. Simply copying a folder to the root of the C drive isn't enough—you need to explicitly tell the system that this folder is shared. Select the folder you want to share, right-click it, and select "Properties."

In the Properties window, go to the "Access" tab and click the "Advanced" button. Check the "Share this folder" box. Below, in the "Permissions" button, you can fine-tune who can do what with the files: read, modify, or fully manage them.

⚠️ Attention: Don't grant full permissions (modify and delete) to system folders or other users unless you're confident in their actions. It's best to use "Read Only" mode for shared media files.

There's also a simplified method via the "Sharing" tab in the folder properties. There, you can select the "Everyone" user and add them to the list, setting their permission level. This method is faster, but provides less control over specific user actions.

How to hide a shared folder?

To make a folder accessible but not visible in Network Neighborhood, add a dollar sign ($) to the end of the shared folder name, for example: Documents$. It can only be accessed via the direct path.

To access a shared folder from another computer, open File Explorer and enter the host computer's address in the address bar in the format \\192.168.1.50 or \\ComputerNameIf the settings are correct, you will see a list of available folders.

Troubleshooting common errors and visibility issues

Even with proper configuration, situations may arise where computers cannot see each other. The built-in Windows firewall or antivirus software is often the culprit. They can block ports required for the SMB protocol, which is used for file sharing.

Try temporarily disabling your firewall to test. If the network works after that, you'll need to add an exception rule. In the firewall control panel, select "Allow the app to communicate" and make sure the private network is checked under "File and Printer Sharing."

Another common issue is disabled services. Click Win + R, enter services.msc and locate network-related services. Ensure that the "Function Discovery Resource Publishing," "SSDP Discovery," and "SSDP Discovery Service" services are started and running in automatic mode.

• 🔍 Check if SMB 1.0 support is enabled (although this is less secure, it is sometimes required for older devices).
• 🔄 Reboot your router if the list of network devices is empty—sometimes the ARP cache gets full.
• 📂 Make sure the "Server" service is enabled on both computers.

If the system requires a password when attempting to access a network and you prefer to access it without one, you can configure this in the advanced sharing settings. Find the "All Networks" section and select "Turn off password-protected sharing."

Additional features and use of media servers

A local network via WiFi provides access not only to files but also to multimedia entertainment. You can stream video from your computer directly to your TV if it supports Smart TV and the DLNA standard. To do this, simply enable media streaming in Windows settings.

In the media streaming settings, you can choose which devices have access to content. This is a convenient way to watch movies stored on your PC's hard drive on a big screen without using flash drives or HDMI cables.

A local network is also ideal for online gaming. Many classic and modern games support LAN mode, allowing you to play with friends without straining your internet connection. Ping on such a network is minimal, ensuring smooth gameplay.

⚠️ Attention: Settings interfaces may vary depending on your Windows version (10, 11) and security updates. If you can't find the option, try searching for it in the search bar in the system settings.

Using specialized software such as FileZilla Server or Samba (for mixed networks with Linux), may provide more flexible options, but for basic tasks, the built-in Windows tools are quite sufficient.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to connect computers via WiFi without a router?

Yes, this is possible using Ad-Hoc technology or the Mobile Hotspot feature in Windows 10/11. However, the speed and stability of this connection will be lower than using a full-fledged router, since one of the computers acts as an access point.

Why am I asked for a password when I access a shared folder?

This is a standard Windows security measure. If you haven't disabled password protection in Advanced Sharing Settings, the system will ask for your credentials. Enter the username and password of the user on the computer where the folder is located. If the usernames don't match, create the same username and password on both computers.

Does WiFi affect file transfer speed over a local network?

Absolutely. Speed ​​is limited by the bandwidth of the wireless channel. With the 802.11n standard, actual speeds will be around 20-30 Mbps, with 802.11ac (WiFi 5) you can achieve 50-100 Mbps, and WiFi 6 will allow you to approach gigabit speeds of a wired network, if the signal allows.

How do I find out the IP address of another computer on the network?

If network discovery is enabled, you can view a list of devices in File Explorer (Network). If the computer is visible but the address is unknown, you can use a network scanner, such as Advanced IP Scanner, which will show all active devices and their IP addresses in the current subnet.