Modern users rarely make do with just one device, and often find themselves in dire need of quickly transferring a large archive or document from a personal computer to a laptop. Using USB drives or cloud services isn't always convenient, especially when the internet connection is busy and you don't have a flash drive with the appropriate capacity. In such situations, a direct connection between two devices via a local wireless network becomes the most efficient solution, achieving high data transfer speeds without unnecessary intermediaries.
Setting up such a connection doesn't require extensive networking knowledge, as Windows operating systems have built-in tools for this. You won't need to buy additional hardware or install questionable software; simply configure the network settings correctly. In this article, we'll detail how to connect a PC and laptop via Wi-Fi, ensuring stable data exchange between the devices.
Equipment preparation and compatibility testing
Before you begin complex setup, you need to make sure that your equipment is physically ready to create a local connection. The key condition The presence of working wireless adapters on both devices, whether a desktop PC or a mobile laptop, is crucial. Most modern models have these modules built into the motherboard, but older systems may require an external USB adapter.
Both computers must be within a strong signal range, preferably within the same room to achieve maximum channel throughput. If you are using a frequency range 5 GHz, the transmission speed will be significantly higher, but the signal range will be reduced compared to the standard 2.4 GHzMake sure your network card drivers are updated to the latest version, as older software versions may not work correctly with new security protocols.
It's also important to check the status of network services responsible for detecting devices on the local network. Antivirus programs or built-in firewalls often block incoming connections, considering them potentially dangerous. Therefore, during setup, it's recommended to temporarily relax your firewall rules or add your home network to the list of trusted zones.
Make sure network discovery is enabled on both devices; otherwise, the computers simply won't see each other in the list of available resources. This is a basic step that's often overlooked when trying to troubleshoot problems in more complex settings.
Creating a local wireless network
There are two main connection scenarios: when both devices are already on the same network via a router, and when a direct computer-to-computer connection is needed. In the first case, things are quite simple: both devices connect to the same Wi-Fi access point, and the operating system automatically assigns them IP addresses from the same subnet. This is the most common option for homes and offices, where the router acts as the control center.
If you don't have a router or want to establish a direct connection, you can use the virtual hotspot feature. In Windows 10 and 11, this is accomplished through a mobile hotspot. One computer (e.g., a PC) becomes the sharing device, and the other (a laptop) connects to it as a regular Wi-Fi router. To activate this feature, go to Settings → Network & Internet → Mobile Hotspot.
In the window that opens, select the network connection that will be used for internet sharing (if required), and set a network name and password to protect against unauthorized access. After you enable the "Allow network sharing through my internet connection" switch, your computer will begin broadcasting.
☑️ Network readiness check
On the second device, find the created network in the list of available connections and enter the set password. Once successfully connected, the system will recognize the new network as private, automatically enabling the necessary file sharing services. Importantso that both devices receive IP addresses in the same range, usually addresses like 192.168.137.x for direct connections.
Setting up shared access to files and folders
Once a physical connection is established, the next step is to configure logical access to resources. Windows hides files from other network users by default for security reasons, so you need to explicitly specify which folders or drives you want to share. To do this, open File Explorer, select the desired folder, right-click it, and select Properties.
In the window that opens, go to the "Access" tab and click "Advanced." Here, check the box next to "Share this folder." Below, you can configure access permissions: allow or deny file modifications, and limit the number of simultaneous users. For a home network, you typically select full permissions for the "Everyone" group.
⚠️ Warning: Granting full access to system folders or the C: drive may create a security vulnerability on your system if unauthorized persons gain access to the network.
There's also a faster way to share a folder: use the "Sharing" tab in the file properties, where you can select a specific user from the list or the "Everyone" group. Once the settings are applied, the folder will be accessible over the network and can be found through Network Places or by its direct IP address.
To manage all sharing settings, use the Network and Sharing Center. Go to Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settingsHere you need to make sure that network discovery and file and printer sharing are enabled for the current network profile (private).
Why can't the folder be opened over the network?
A common cause is a disabled "Function Discovery Resource Publishing" service or blocked ports by an antivirus program. Also, check that SMB 1.0 support is enabled if you're connecting to very old devices, although this is rarely necessary for connecting two Windows 10/11 PCs.
Connecting by IP address and network name
Knowing the IP address of a remote computer allows you to connect directly to its resources, avoiding time-consuming network searches. To find your IP address, open the command prompt (cmd) and enter the command ipconfigYou're looking for the "IPv4 address" string, which typically looks like four numbers separated by periods. On the second computer, enter this address in the address bar of File Explorer, preceded by two backslashes, for example: \\192.168.1.55.
If everything is configured correctly, a window will open with a list of shared folders on the remote computer. The first time you connect, the system may prompt you for credentials. You'll need to enter the username and password of the user logged in to the remote computer. This is a standard authorization procedure that ensures data security.
For easy, permanent use, a mapped network folder can be connected as a network drive. In File Explorer, click "This PC," then select "Map Network Drive" from the top menu. Select any available drive letter (e.g., Z:) and enter the path to the resource in the "Folder" field. The folder will now appear in "My Computer" as a regular hard drive partition.
| Parameter | Description | Where to find |
|---|---|---|
| IPv4 address | Unique device number on the network | cmd → ipconfig |
| Computer name | Network name for identification | System properties |
| Working group | Logical unification of PCs | System properties |
| MAC address | Physical address of the network card | cmd → ipconfig /all |
Using an IP address is the most reliable method, as computer names may not resolve due to DNS issues on the local network. If connecting by name doesn't work, always try using numeric addressing.
Using built-in remote control tools
Connecting a PC and laptop via Wi-Fi opens up possibilities not only for file transfer but also for full remote control. Windows has built-in Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) technology, which allows you to see the remote computer's screen and control its mouse and keyboard as if it were your own. This is extremely useful for setting up a laptop from the main PC or helping relatives.
To activate this function on the receiving computer (to which we will connect), you need to go to Settings → System → Remote Desktop and toggle the slider to "On." Here you can also select the users who are allowed to connect. By default, only administrators have permission.
On the client computer, launch the Remote Desktop Connection application (found in the Start menu). Enter the name or IP address of the target computer and click Connect. The system will prompt you for certificate confirmation and credentials. After successful authorization, you will see the remote machine's desktop.
⚠️ Note: When using remote desktop, your local session on the remote computer will be locked. If you need to keep the image on both screens simultaneously, use third-party solutions like TeamViewer or AnyDesk.
The RDP protocol provides high-speed graphics rendering and audio transmission, making it suitable even for multimedia tasks. However, it's worth remembering that Windows Home editions cannot act as an RDP server; they can only connect to other editions.
Solving common connection problems and errors
Despite standardized processes, users often encounter errors when trying to connect a PC and laptop. One of the most common issues is "Windows cannot access the specified device." This almost always indicates that the network profile is set to "Public" instead of "Private." This can be changed by clicking the Wi-Fi icon and selecting the appropriate network type.
Another common cause is a mismatch in SMB protocol versions. In newer versions of Windows 10 and 11, SMBv1 is disabled by default for security reasons, but if one of the computers is very old, conflicts may arise. However, to connect two modern PCs, ensure that SMB Direct or simply standard SMB 2/3 are enabled.
Problems can also be caused by power management settings. The system may disable the Wi-Fi adapter to save power, which causes the connection to drop. To fix this, open Device Manager, find your wireless adapter, open its properties, and in the "Power Management" tab, uncheck the box next to "Allow the device to turn off."
If the computers can see each other but require a password you haven't set, try disabling password protection in the Network and Sharing Center (for trusted home networks only!). Path: All Networks → Password-Protected Sharing → Disable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to connect a PC and a laptop without a router?
Yes, this is possible. You can create a direct connection by turning one of the computers into a mobile hotspot or using the computer-to-computer (Ad-hoc) networking feature, although in Windows 10/11, Ad-hoc is hidden, making it easier to use a hotspot.
What is the Wi-Fi data transfer speed between PCs?
Speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard (n, ac, ax) and distance. In the 5 GHz band, Wi-Fi 5 (ac) offers file copy speeds of 30-50 MB/s or higher, comparable to fast USB 2.0.
Why doesn't the laptop see the PC's shared folder?
Check if network discovery is enabled, if the network is in the "Private" profile, and try connecting by IP address (\\192.168.x.x) instead of the computer name.
Is it safe to keep sharing enabled all the time?
On a home network with a strong Wi-Fi password, yes. On public networks (cafes, airports), always select the "Public Network" profile, which prevents others from seeing your PC.