How to Connect Two PCs to a Network via Wi-Fi: A Complete Guide

Creating a local network between two or more computers is one of the basic tasks faced by users who want to share files without using USB drives or cloud storage. Modern wireless technologies Allows you to quickly set up such a connection without running unnecessary cables throughout your home. This is especially important for those who work with large amounts of data, such as video editors or designers who need to transfer large projects between their workstation and home server.

The process of integrating devices into a single system involves not just connecting to a single router, but also properly configuring the operating system's software settings. If you think simply connecting to a single access point is enough, you're mistaken: without proper configuration Windows may block visibility of other devices for security reasons. In this article, we'll cover all the details, from choosing a network profile to port forwarding, so you can enjoy stable data exchange.

It's worth noting that the speed of file transfers over the air directly depends on the quality of your equipment and the level of interference in the air. Using the standard Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6 It significantly speeds up the process, making working on a local network virtually indistinguishable from a wired connection. However, even on older routers, acceptable results can be achieved if encryption parameters and communication channels are properly configured.

Checking the equipment and preparing the router

Before beginning software configuration, you need to ensure your hardware is ready for operation. All computers planned for networking must be connected to the same router. This is a fundamental requirement, and any further steps are pointless without it. If one PC is connected to a cable and the other receives a signal over the air, that's fine, as long as they are on the same subnet.

It's important to check whether client isolation is enabled on your router. This option is often enabled by default on guest networks or public hotspots to protect users from each other. For a home local network, it must be disabled; otherwise, devices simply won't "see" each other, even if the IP addresses are configured correctly.

• 📡 Make sure all devices are connected to the same SSID (network name), whether it's 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.
• 🔒 Check the encryption type: for stable operation of local services, it is better to use WPA2-PSK or WPA3.
• 🔄 Reboot your router before setup to clear any DHCP server errors.

⚠️ Note: If you are using a mesh system or multiple routers in repeater mode, make sure they operate in single network mode (roaming) and do not create isolated subnets with different IP address ranges.

It's also worth paying attention to the frequency range. If your router is dual-band, try to connect all PCs to the same frequency if possible, although modern routers usually intelligently route traffic between 2.4 and 5 GHz within a single LAN. Problems can arise if the router's "AP Isolation" feature is enabled, which physically prevents packet exchange between wireless clients.

Setting up a network profile in Windows

operating system Windows 10 And Windows 11 By default, it's configured for maximum security, so when you first connect to a new network, it assigns it the "Public" profile. In this mode, the computer becomes invisible to other devices, and attempts to share it will be blocked by the firewall. You must manually switch this status to "Private."

You can do this through the Network and Sharing Center or through System Settings. Open the Start menu, go to Settings (the gear icon), and select Network & Internet. In the list of active connections, click on your Wi-Fi network properties. Here you'll see a switch for network types.

⚠️ Important: By switching your profile to "Private," you allow other devices to discover your PC. Only do this if you're in a trusted home or office environment, not at a cafe or airport.

After changing the profile, the system will automatically apply firewall rules allowing incoming connections for network and shared folder discovery. If this isn't done, even with the correct sharing settings, you'll receive a "No Access" error or a timeout when attempting to connect.

📊 What is your current network profile?

Public

Private

Don't know

Domain

In some corporate environments or when using specific antivirus software, settings may be reset or blocked by third-party software. If your computer is still not visible after switching profiles, check your antivirus settings—they often have their own built-in firewall, which overrides the system firewall.

Enabling Sharing and Discoverability

The next step is fine-tuning your sharing settings. Windows provides flexible tools for managing what you share and who has access to it. You can access these settings through the Control Panel by selecting "Network and Sharing Center" and then "Change advanced sharing settings."

Here you'll see a list of profiles (Private, Guest, All Networks). In the "Private" section, enable network discovery. This will allow your PC to broadcast packets, announcing its presence on the network. It's also recommended to enable automatic installation of connected network devices so the system automatically discovers printers and media servers.

• 📂 Turn on "File and Printer Sharing" to enable folder sharing.
• 🔐 Disable "Password-protected sharing" if you want everyone to have access without entering a username and password (trusted networks only!).
• 💻 Allow Windows to manage HomeGroup connections if you have one in your infrastructure.

Disabling password protection is a convenient, but less secure, option. If you might have strangers on your network (for example, neighbors with a Wi-Fi bug), it's best to leave it enabled. In this case, to access the folder from another PC, you'll need to enter the username and password of the user account on whose computer the folder is located.

What to do if the password is not accepted?

If you've enabled password protection but still can't log in, try creating a new local user with a simple password on the receiving PC and granting them access to the folder. Sometimes, Microsoft accounts can conflict with network authentication in older versions of SMB.

Setting up a static IP address

For stable operation of your local network, especially if you plan to frequently access resources from another PC, it's recommended to assign IP addresses to each device. By default, the router assigns addresses dynamically via DHCP, and after rebooting the router, the computer's address may change, which will disrupt all configured paths to shared folders.

You can set a static IP in the network adapter settings. Click Win + R, enter ncpa.cpl and press Enter. Find your wireless connection, right-click it, and select "Properties." In the list of protocols, find "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)," select it, and click "Properties."

In the window that opens, select "Use the following IP address." You'll need to enter the address, mask, and gateway. The address should be in the same range as the router, but outside the DHCP pool to avoid conflicts. For example, if the router assigns addresses from 100 to 200, assign the computers addresses 20, 30, and 40.

Parameter	PC #1 (Example)	PC #2 (Example)	Router (Gateway)
IP address	192.168.1.20	192.168.1.30	192.168.1.1
Subnet mask	255.255.255.0	255.255.255.0	255.255.255.0
Main gateway	192.168.1.1	192.168.1.1	-
DNS server	8.8.8.8	8.8.8.8	192.168.1.1

After entering the information, click OK. Now your computer will always have the same network address. This is critical for setting up port forwarding or network drive mappings, which are bound to a specific IP address. If the address changes, the connection will be lost.

Sharing folders and connecting a network drive

Once the network infrastructure is ready, you can begin the fun part—sharing data. Select the folder you want to share with other computers. Right-click it, go to "Properties," and open the "Sharing" tab. Click "Advanced Settings."

Check the "Share this folder" box. Below, you can configure permissions by clicking the "Permissions" button. Here you can choose who has access: "Everyone" or specific users, and what rights they have: read-only, edit, or full control. For the media library, "Read" permission is usually sufficient.

☑️ Check before opening access

The folder is located on a disk with the NTFS file system.The account has write permissionsThe firewall does not block port 445The IP address is static

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To connect to a shared folder from another computer, open “This PC”, right-click on “Network Places”, or enter the IP address of the first computer in the address bar of Explorer in the format \\192.168.1.20If everything is configured correctly, you will see an open folder.

For ease of use, you can map this folder as a network drive. In the File Explorer window, click "Computer" in the top bar and select "Map network drive." Select a drive letter (e.g., Z:), enter the path to the resource in the "Folder" field, and click "Done." The folder will now appear as a regular drive in "My Computer."

⚠️ Important: When mapping a network drive, ensure that both computers are set to the same time zone and synchronized. A time difference of more than 5-10 minutes may result in a Kerberos authorization error and access denial.

Diagnosing and resolving connection problems

Despite the apparent simplicity, connecting PCs via Wi-Fi often causes problems. The most common is that the computers don't see each other in the network environment. In this case, the first step is to check visibility using the command line. Open the terminal (cmd) and enter the command ping [IP address of the second PC].

If the ping works (you see the "Reply from..." response), then the physical connection and TCP/IP stack are working properly, and the problem lies in the sharing settings or firewall. If packet loss or timeouts occur, check whether your antivirus software or router settings are blocking the connection.

• 🛑 Check the Resource Discovery Host service - it should be running.
• 🛑 Make sure that the firewall rules for "File and Printer Sharing" are allowed.
• 🛑 Try temporarily disabling your antivirus to test the blocking hypothesis.

Another common problem is low transmission speed. Wi-Fi, unlike cable, is susceptible to interference. Speed ​​can drop due to neighboring routers operating on the same channel or physical barriers (walls, mirrors). Using the 5 GHz band usually solves the interference problem, as it's less congested.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to connect PCs to a network if one is connected via cable and the other via Wi-Fi?

Yes, this is completely normal. The main thing is that both devices are connected to the same router and are on the same subnet (e.g., 192.168.1.x). The router automatically routes traffic between the wired (LAN) and wireless (WLAN) segments.

Why does it say "Incorrect username or password" when I enter my password?

This often happens because the remote PC is using a Microsoft account (linked to an email address), and you are entering the password for a local account or PIN. Try entering the login in the following format: PC_NAME\User_Name and it is the account password, not the login PIN.

How to transfer a file larger than 4 GB over the network?

File size isn't limited by transfer protocols, but it is limited by the file system of the drive you're burning to. If the drive is formatted in FAT32, you won't be able to burn files larger than 4 GB. Make sure both drives are formatted in NTFS or exFAT.

Is it safe to keep sharing enabled all the time?

On a home network with a strong Wi-Fi password (WPA2/WPA3), the risks are minimal. However, if you frequently have guests over and share your Wi-Fi password, it's best to use a guest network for them and keep your main network for your own devices with public access enabled.