How to create a home network between two computers using a Wi-Fi router

Establishing local communication between devices within a single apartment or office is a basic task faced by every advanced user. Often, there's a need to transfer gigabytes of photos, video archives, or work documents, and using flash drives becomes too slow and inconvenient. Fortunately, modern Wi-Fi routers allow you to create a stable environment for data exchange without laying unnecessary cables, using the existing wireless infrastructure.

Unlike a direct cable-to-cable connection, creating a network through a router gives freedom of movement and the ability to connect to a common space not only desktop PCs, but also laptops, tablets or Smart TVYou don't need to be a network administrator to complete this procedure, but you will need to be careful when entering security settings and naming the devices. Proper configuration will save you headaches in the future when you need to quickly access files on another computer.

In this article, we'll cover the entire process in detail: from checking your router settings to port forwarding and configuring access rights in the Windows operating system. You'll learn how to avoid common mistakes that cause computers to "not see" each other and how to secure your local network from outside intrusion. Get ready to transform disparate devices into a unified, functioning ecosystem.

Preparing equipment and checking connections

Before you begin software configuration, you need to ensure the physical infrastructure is ready. Both computers must be connected to the same router. It doesn't matter whether you're using a wireless connection. Wi-Fi Or wired Ethernet, the main thing is that the devices are on the same subnet. If one computer is connected via cable and the other via wireless, that's fine, but they must be on the same router, not different access points.

Check the connection status on each device. The network icon in the system tray should show an active connection without yellow exclamation marks. Make sure the network type in Windows is set to "Private" and not "Public," as the system blocks discovery of other devices by default for security reasons.

An important step is checking the IP addressing. Ideally, the router should assign addresses automatically through a service. DHCPIf you previously assigned static IP addresses manually, make sure they are in the same range. For example, if the first computer has an address of 192.168.1.5, the second should have an address of 192.168.1.X, where X is any number from 2 to 254, other than 5.

Configuring TCP/IP settings and device naming

For successful communication, each network participant requires a unique name. Go to the system properties (you can do this via Settings → System → About) and find the "Rename this PC" button. Give your computers descriptive names, such as HomePC And LaptopUserUsing names without spaces and special characters (except hyphens) reduces the risk of errors when accessing resources.

After renaming, you need to check the IPv4 protocol settings. Click Win + R, enter ncpa.cpl and press Enter. In the window that opens, find your active adapter, right-click it, and select "Properties." Find "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" in the list and make sure the "Obtain an IP address automatically" and "DNS" options are checked. If your network requires static addresses, write them down so you don't get confused when setting up access.

⚠️ Important: If you change IP addresses manually, make sure the default gateway matches your router's address (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1). An incorrect gateway address will result in complete internet inaccessibility, although the local network may still function.

Particular attention should be paid to the workgroup. In modern versions of Windows 10 and 11, the workgroup setting is named by default WORKGROUPIt's important that the workgroup name be identical on all computers participating in data exchange. You can change it in the same system properties, but after changing it, you'll need to restart both computers for the settings to take effect.

Activating network features in Windows

The most critical step, and where problems most often arise, is sharing settings. Windows tends to hide your computer from prying eyes by default. To enable sharing, go to Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settings. Here, you'll need to change the "Private" profile (or "Current profile").

Enable the following options: "Turn on network discovery," "Turn on automatic configuration of connecting network devices," and "Turn on file and printer sharing." Without these features enabled, the operating system will ignore connection requests from other devices, even if the physical network is functioning properly.

It's also recommended to enable the "Let Windows manage HomeGroup connections" option. This will simplify the authorization process, although HomeGroup functionality has been deprecated in recent Windows updates in favor of standard password-protected sharing. If you want maximum convenience and are in a trusted environment, you can temporarily disable password protection, but this will reduce your security.

What should I do if the discovery service fails to start?

Often, the problem lies in stopped services. Press Win+R and enter services.msc. Find the services "Discovery Functionality," "Discovery Service Provider Host," and "Discovery Resource Publishing." Set the startup type to "Automatic" and start them.

Be sure to save your changes by clicking the "Save Changes" button at the bottom of the page. The system may then ask you to confirm enabling network discovery for the selected profile. Confirm this action. Your computer is now visible to other network members, but no one can access its folders yet.

Sharing folders and setting access rights

Once the infrastructure is ready, it's time to select the data you want to share. Create a new folder or select an existing one, right-click it, and go to "Properties." Go to the "Sharing" tab. Click "Advanced" and check "Share this folder."

Next, you need to configure permissions. Click the "Permissions" button. By default, there might be an "Everyone" group, but this group often only has read permissions. If you plan to not only retrieve files from another PC but also write new ones, select the group and check "Full Control" or "Modify." This will allow you to create, delete, and edit files remotely.

Important: Windows has two levels of file access permissions: the sharing level (described above) and the NTFS security level. If a user doesn't have permissions on the "Security" tab, the system will deny access even with full access (sharing). Therefore, go to the "Security" tab, click "Edit" → "Add," enter the username or group "Everyone," and grant the necessary permissions there.

Connecting to network resources and troubleshooting errors

Now let's move on to the second computer. Open File Explorer and find "Network" in the left pane. If everything is done correctly, you should see the name of the first computer. When you try to log in, the system may ask for credentials. It's important to enter the username and password of the account you're logged in with. first (receiving) computer, not on the current one.

A common problem: computers can't see each other. In this case, try accessing the resource directly by IP address. Click Win + R and enter \\192.168.1.X (where X is the IP address of the target PC). If you can log in by IP but not by name, the problem is with the DNS or NetBIOS service, and the easiest way is to create a shortcut with the IP address on your desktop for quick access.

⚠️ Note: Router interfaces and Windows versions are updated regularly. The location of menu items may differ slightly from those described. Always consult the latest documentation from your OS or router manufacturer if you cannot find a specific switch.

If you receive an "Incorrect username or password" error when logging in, try the following solution: create identical user accounts (the same username and the same password) on both computers. Windows often conflicts when attempting to log in as a guest user and the server requires a password. You can also try disabling password protection in Advanced Sharing settings if security isn't a priority on your isolated network.

Error 0x80070035 "The network path was not found"

This error is often related to a disabled SMB 1.0 service. Go to "Turn Windows features on or off" and ensure that SMB 1.0 support is enabled. However, for security reasons, it's better to use SMB 2.0/3.0 and check your firewall settings.

Questions and answers about setting up a local network

Is it possible to create a network if computers are connected to different routers?

Using standard Windows tools, creating a local network between devices behind different routers (even if they're in the same apartment but on different subnets) is extremely difficult without setting up static routing or using a VPN. The easiest way is to connect the routers with a LAN-to-LAN cable or configure one of them as an access point.

Why is file transfer so slow over Wi-Fi?

Speed ​​depends on the Wi-Fi standard (802.11n, ac, ax) and interference. If your router is dual-band, make sure both computers are connected to the network. 5 GHz, not 2.4 GHz. Speed ​​may also drop due to encryption or background programs downloading content.

Is it safe to leave sharing enabled all the time?

If you're on a home network with a strong Wi-Fi password (WPA2/WPA3), the risks are minimal. However, if you have guests over, it's best to give them guest Wi-Fi access, which is isolated from your local network, or temporarily disable network discovery.

How do I turn off the network if I no longer need it?

Simply return to the Network and Sharing Center, select "Change advanced sharing settings," and disable network discovery and file sharing. Alternatively, simply change the network type to "Public" in the Wi-Fi settings.