Organizing local interaction between computers on a home network is a challenge faced by many users who want to exchange large amounts of data without using external storage media. Wi-Fi connection It eliminates unnecessary wires and provides sufficient transfer speed for working with documents, photos, and even streaming video. In the operating system Windows 10 This process is significantly simplified compared to previous versions, but requires proper configuration of security and sharing settings.
There are several scenarios where you may need to direct connection Between devices: collaborating on a project, setting up a game server over a local network, or simply quickly transferring files when the internet connection is busy or unavailable. Understanding how network profiles and access rights work will help you avoid common mistakes when computers "see" the router but ignore each other. Let's look at a step-by-step algorithm for creating a stable connection.
Before beginning setup, ensure both laptops are connected to the same wireless network. If you plan to transfer sensitive data, it's important to ensure the strength of your Wi-Fi network password in advance, as the local network is trusted by default, but not protected from external intrusion.
Checking network settings and computer names
The first step to a successful connection is correctly identifying devices on the network. Each laptop must have a unique name, otherwise addressing conflicts will occur and the system will not be able to determine where exactly to send data packets. To check and change the name, go to the Start menu, select Settings (the gear icon), and open the System section. Then, scroll down to the About tab.
In the "Device Name" section, you'll see the current name. If it's a default name (e.g., DESKTOP-12345), it's best to change it to something more descriptive, reflecting the owner or location, such as: Office-PC or Laptop-HomeClick the "Rename" button, enter a new name in Latin characters, restart your computer, and repeat the process on the second device.
The network profile type is critical. Windows 10 may classify new networks as "Public" by default, which prevents the device from being visible to others. You need to change this status to "Private":
- 🔍 Click on the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray (near the clock) and select "Properties" under the name of your network.
- 🔍 In the window that opens, find the "Network Profile" section.
- 🔍 Switch the radio button from "Public" to "Private".
After changing the profile, the system will automatically apply more lenient firewall rules, allowing device discovery. Please note that changing a security profile requires careful consideration: only do this on trusted home or office networks, not in cafes or airports.
⚠️ Warning: If you're in a public place, switching your profile to "Private" may make your files accessible to other network users. Always change your profile back to "Public" after finishing your work.
Setting up sharing options
Once the network profile has been changed, you need to enable discovery and file sharing. These settings are located in the Control Panel and can be quickly accessed using the search function. Type "Manage advanced sharing settings" in the Windows search bar and follow the link.
You'll see two or three profiles: "Private (your current profile)," "Guest or public," and "All networks." We're interested in the first section. Here, you need to enable the following options:
- ✅ Enable network discovery (and check the box "Turn on automatic configuration of connecting network devices").
- ✅ Enable file and printer sharing.
Next, go to the "All Networks" section. Here you'll find the important "Password-protected sharing" toggle. If you want anyone connected to your Wi-Fi to be able to access the shared folder without entering a username and password, select "Turn off password-protected sharing." This is convenient for home use, but it reduces security.
If you plan to transfer sensitive data or are in the office, it's best to leave password protection enabled. In this case, when connecting to the folder on a second laptop, the system will prompt you for credentials (the username and password of the remote computer user). Remember, the password must be set for a Windows account.
What to do if the Network folder is empty?
If the "Network" section in File Explorer is empty after all the settings, try restarting the "Function Discovery Resource Publishing" service. Press Win+R, enter services.msc, find the service, right-click "Properties," set the startup type to "Automatic," and click "Start."
Creating a shared folder for data exchange
Now that the network infrastructure is ready, you need to create a location where the files will be stored for transfer. You can share any existing folder or create a new one specifically for this purpose. For example, create a folder on the C: drive named Share or Exchange.
Right-click the folder and select "Properties." Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Advanced." Check the "Share this folder" box. Below, click "Permissions."
In the permissions window, you'll see the "Everyone" group. Select it and in the bottom block, select the desired permissions: "Read" (to only view files), "Modify" (to add and edit), or "Full Control." For a home network, the "Modify" level is usually sufficient.
There's also a "Security" tab in the folder properties. Sometimes network access is allowed, but the operating system itself blocks reading due to NTFS permissions. Make sure the "Everyone" group or the specific user you want to grant access to is listed in the "Groups and Users" section of the "Security" tab, with at least "Read and Execute" permissions.
☑️ Folder setup checklist
Connecting to a computer by IP address
Sometimes automatic discovery is unstable, and computers don't see each other in the list of network devices. In this case, the most reliable method is a direct connection via IP address. First, you need to find the IP address of the computer you want to connect to (let's call it "Server").
On the Server, click Win + R, enter cmd and press Enter. In the black command prompt window, type the command ipconfig and find the line "IPv4 address". It usually looks like this 192.168.1.XX or 192.168.0.XXWrite down these numbers.
Now switch to the second laptop (Client). Open File Explorer, and in the address bar (at the top, where the folder path is written), enter two backslashes and the Server IP address. The format should be exactly as follows:
\\192.168.1.55Press Enter. If everything is configured correctly, a window will open displaying the contents of the remote computer's shared folders. If the system prompts for a username and password, enter the Server user account information. To avoid entering the address each time, you can right-click the folder that opens and select "Mount as network drive," assigning it a letter (e.g., Z:). This folder will now appear in "My Computer" as a separate drive.
| Parameter | Value for Server | Value for the Client |
|---|---|---|
| Network profile | Private network | Private network |
| General access | On | Enabled (optional) |
| IP address | Static or dynamic (check with ipconfig) | Anyone on the same subnet |
| Password protection | At the discretion of the user | Server account details required |
Using Nearby Sharing
Windows 10, starting with the 1803 update, introduced a built-in Nearby Share feature, similar to AirDrop on Apple devices. It allows you to transfer files and links between nearby laptops using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It's ideal for quickly transferring a file or two without setting up complex network connections.
To enable the feature, go to Settings → System → Sharing. Find the "Nearby Sharing" section and toggle the slider to "On." Make sure "Everyone around me" or "My devices" (if you use the same Microsoft account on both laptops) is selected in the drop-down list.
The transfer process is simple: right-click the file, select "Share" from the menu, and select the second laptop's name in the window that appears. A notification will pop up on the second device asking if you want to save the file. Transfer speed depends on the power of the Wi-Fi adapters and the distance between the devices.
It's worth noting that Nearby Sharing requires Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to be enabled on both devices, even when transferring directly via Wi-Fi Direct. While this feature is convenient for its simplicity, for transferring gigabytes of data, a traditional shared folder will still be more stable and faster.
⚠️ Note: The Nearby Sharing feature may not work correctly if one of the devices has outdated Bluetooth or Wi-Fi drivers. Make sure the drivers are updated to the latest versions from the manufacturer's website.
Troubleshooting and diagnostics
Even with careful configuration, situations may arise where laptops cannot communicate with each other. One common cause is blocking by an antivirus service or the built-in Windows firewall. If you use a third-party antivirus (Kaspersky, ESET, Avast), try temporarily disabling its firewall to test.
The problem may also lie in the "Discovery Provider Host" service. Click Win + R, enter services.mscFind services in the list that contain the words "Discovery." Make sure the "Function Discovery Resource Publication" and "SSDP Discovery" services are running and set to "Automatic" as the startup type.
Another caveat concerns the SMB 1.0 protocol. In older versions of Windows, it's enabled by default, but in Windows 10, it's disabled for security reasons. If you're trying to connect a modern laptop to a very old device or NAS, you may need to enable SMB 1.0 support via Control Panel → Programs and Features → Turn Windows features on or off. However, to connect two Windows 10 systems, you don't need to do this. no need and even dangerous.
If all else fails, try resetting your network settings. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Status and find the "Network Reset" link. Your computer will restart, and all network adapters will be reset to factory settings. After this, you'll have to repeat the setup process again.
Is it possible to connect laptops without a router?
Yes, it's possible. You can create a direct wireless connection (computer-to-computer) using the "Mobile Hotspot" menu in Windows 10. One laptop broadcasts the Wi-Fi, and the other connects to it. Alternatively, you can use Wi-Fi Direct technology if your adapters support it, but setting up a hotspot is simpler and more reliable for file transfers.
Why does it say "No access, you may not have rights" when connecting?
This is a classic NTFS permissions error. Even if you've granted access in the "Sharing" tab, the "Security" tab of the folder's properties may not show permissions for the "Everyone" user or the specific user you're logged in as. Add the "Everyone" group with "Read" permissions to both tabs.
What is the maximum Wi-Fi transfer speed on a local network?
Speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard. For 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4), actual speeds will be around 20-40 Mbps. For 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5), speeds can reach up to 100-400 Mbps under ideal conditions. For 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), speeds can reach 1 Gbps or more, comparable to a wired gigabit connection.
Is internet required for a local network to function?
No, internet access is not required. A local network can be established between devices directly or through a router, even if the ISP cable is disconnected. The main thing is that the devices can "see" each other within their internal network.