Setting up a local network between two computers without unnecessary wires is a challenge faced by many users who want to quickly share files or access shared resources. Modern operating systems, such as Windows 10 and 11, offer built-in tools that make this possible in just a few minutes. You won't need to purchase additional hardware if both devices are already connected to the same wireless network.
The setup process may seem complicated at first glance, but it boils down to changing a few settings in the network profile and setting up access rights to folders. Local area network It allows you to not only transfer documents and multimedia, but also play online games or use a shared printer. The main thing is to ensure both devices are in the same domain or workgroup and can see each other.
In this guide, we'll walk you through every step of establishing a connection, from checking basic router settings to fine-tuning your firewall. We'll cover relevant methods for modern versions of Windows, where classic features like HomeGroup have been deprecated in favor of more flexible, but less obvious, sharing options.
Preparing equipment and checking basic settings
Before you begin configuring the software, you need to ensure the physical infrastructure is ready for operation. Both computers must be connected to the same router. It doesn't matter whether you're using a standard home router or a corporate access point, as long as the devices are on the same subnet.
Check the connection status on each device. It's acceptable to connect one laptop via Ethernet and the other via Wi-Fi, but for the sake of clarity and to minimize AP isolation issues, it's best to use the same connection type. Make sure the network profile is set to "Private" and not "Public."
⚠️ Note: In public places (cafes, airports), the discovery function of other computers is often blocked at the router level. This instruction is intended for home or office networks where you have full control over the equipment.
You can use the command line to check IP addresses. Click Win + R, enter cmd and press Enter. In the black window, enter the command ipconfig. Find the line "IPv4 address". If the addresses begin with 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x and the first three numbers match, which means the computers are on the same network.
Setting up a network profile and discovering devices
A key factor in Windows is the network profile type. If the system considers your network to be "Public," it automatically hides your computer from other devices for security reasons. You need to change this status to "Private Network" to allow discovery.
To do this, go to "Settings" (the gear icon in the Start menu) and select "Network & Internet." Under "Status" or "Wi-Fi," click the properties of your current connection. In the window that opens, select the "Private" profile type. This step must be completed on both computers.
After changing your profile, you need to enable discovery features. Open Control Panel (you can find it in the search bar), go to Network and Sharing Center, and select Change advanced sharing settings. Here you need to:
- 📡 Enable network discovery and automatic configuration of connected devices.
- 📂 Enable file and printer sharing.
- 🔓 Allow Windows to manage HomeGroup connections (if available).
Be sure to save your changes by clicking the corresponding button at the bottom of the window. Sometimes it may take a few seconds or even a restart of the Discovery service for the changes to take effect. If the computers don't immediately detect each other, try temporarily disabling your antivirus or firewall for diagnostic purposes.
Creating a shared folder and setting access rights
Simply connecting computers isn't enough—you need to determine which resources will be accessible. The easiest way is to create a dedicated sharing folder or share an existing one. Create a new folder, for example, on drive C, and name it "Sharing."
Right-click the folder and select "Properties." Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Sharing." In the window that opens, select "Everyone" from the drop-down list and click "Add." In the "Permission Level" column for the "Everyone" group, set "Read and Write" if you plan to not only retrieve files but also upload them to this computer.
Quick access path: Folder Options → Sharing → Advanced settings → Check the "Share" box.It's also important to check the "Security" tab in the folder's properties. Make sure "Everyone" or "Users" with write and read permissions appears in the list of groups and users. It's often the case that network access is allowed, but NTFS file system permissions block access.
☑️ Check access rights
Connecting to a network resource by IP address
Sometimes automatic discovery in File Explorer (Network) is unstable, and computers don't appear in the list of available devices. In this case, the most reliable method is a direct connection via IP address. To do this, you'll need the IP address of the computer on which the shared folder is located.
On the target computer (where the folder is located), find out the IP address using the command ipconfig, as described above. On the second computer, click Win + Rto open the Run window. Enter the address in the format \\192.168.1.XX, where XX is the address of the second PC, and press Enter.
If everything is configured correctly, a File Explorer window will open displaying the contents of the remote computer's shared folders. For ease of use, you can right-click the folder that appears and select "Mount as network drive." This will assign the folder a drive letter (e.g., Z:), and it will appear in "My Computer" as a regular local partition.
| Parameter | Computer A (Server) | Computer B (Client) |
|---|---|---|
| IP address | 192.168.1.15 | 192.168.1.20 |
| PC name | DESKTOP-HOME | LAPTOP-WORK |
| Network status | Private | Private |
| Access | Allowed | Full access |
Troubleshooting network access and errors
Even with proper configuration, errors such as "Windows cannot access..." or a password prompt that isn't accepted may still occur. One common cause is a disabled SMB 1.0 service or guest access being blocked in newer versions of Windows 10/11.
If the system requires a password and you want to access it without one, you need to disable password protection. Return to "Advanced sharing settings," expand the "All networks" section, and select "Turn off password-protected sharing" at the very bottom. This will allow any devices on the local network to access shared resources without entering credentials.
⚠️ Caution: Disabling password protection reduces security. Only do this on a trusted home network. At work, use accounts with passwords.
Another common issue is the Discovery service. Click Win + R, enter services.mscLocate the "Function Discovery Resource Publisher" and "Function Discovery Host" services. Make sure they are running and their startup type is set to "Automatic."
What to do if the yellow triangle is on?
If you see a warning next to a network drive in File Explorer, this may indicate a temporary connection loss. Try reconnecting the drive or checking if the server's IP address has changed (if it's not static).
Using the Command Prompt for Advanced Users
For those who prefer speed and precision, network configuration can be performed via the command line with administrator privileges. This allows you to quickly flush the DNS cache or restart network adapters without rebooting.
To view all available network resources on another computer, use the command net view \\IP_ADDRESSIf you want to force-mount a network drive, use the syntax: net use Z: \\192.168.1.15\ShareThis will create a persistent connection that will be restored after a reboot.
If you have problems displaying computers on the network, it is useful to clear the discovery cache. Command ipconfig /flushdns updates the DNS cache, and net stop lanmanworkstation followed by net start lanmanworkstation Restarts the Workstation client service, which is responsible for network connections.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to connect computers if one is on Windows 10 and the other is on Windows 7?
Yes, this is possible. However, Windows 10 disables the SMBv1 protocol by default, which is often used by Windows 7. You will need to enable SMB 1.0 support in Windows 10 components via Control Panel → Programs and Features → Turn Windows features on or off.
Why can't computers see each other even though there is internet?
The problem is most likely with the network profile. Check that the network is marked as "Private" on both devices. Also, make sure "AP Isolation" isn't enabled in the router settings, as this prevents wireless devices from communicating with each other.
Is it safe to share the C: drive?
It's strongly recommended not to grant access to the entire system drive. This creates a huge security hole. It's better to create a separate folder for sharing and share only that. If you need access to all files, configure the permissions more precisely, but avoid granting full control to the "Everyone" group.
How do I find out another computer's IP address if it's not showing up?
You need to physically go to another computer, open a command prompt (cmd) and enter ipconfigWrite down the IPv4 address. If you have access to the router, a list of connected clients and their IP addresses is usually displayed in the router's web interface under LAN or DHCP Client List.