Setting up a local network between two computers is the foundation for convenient data exchange in a home or office environment. When devices are connected to the same router Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for external drives or limited-speed cloud services. You get direct access to files, printers, and media, significantly speeding up your work.
Modern operating systems such as Windows 10 And Windows 11, have built-in tools for this task, but setting them up often presents difficulties for users. Hidden security settings and changes to data transfer protocols require careful consideration. In this guide, we'll walk you through each step so you can easily set up file sharing.
First of all, make sure that both computers are on the same local network. This means that they should be connected to the same router, whether it's a wired connection or a wireless signal. If one computer is using mobile data and the other is using home Wi-Fi, creating a direct connection using standard means won't work.
Checking network parameters and names
The first critical step is checking the basic network settings. Computers need to be able to "see" each other, which is impossible without proper configuration. IP addressing and names. Problems often arise because devices have the same names or are in different workgroups.
Press the key combination Win + R, enter sysdm.cpl and press Enter. In the window that opens, go to the "Computer Name" tab. Here you will see the full name of the device and its workgroup affiliation. By default, Windows uses the workgroup name WORKGROUP, and it should be identical on both computers.
If the names are the same, you'll need to change them. Click the "Edit" button, enter a unique name (e.g., PC1 and PC2), and make sure the "Workgroup" field is set to WORKGROUPAfter making changes, the system will require a reboot.
⚠️ Important: Changing the computer name requires a system restart for the changes to take effect. Do not attempt to continue network configuration until the system restarts.
It's also worth checking your network type. In Windows 10 and 11, when you first connect to Wi-Fi, the system asks if you want to make your computer discoverable. If you answer "No," the network profile will become "Public," which will block your device's visibility. You can switch profiles via Settings → Network & Internet → Connection Properties, selecting the "Private" type.
Setting up sharing in Windows
Once the network names are in order, it's necessary to enable discovery features. Without this step, computers will ignore connection requests, even when on the same network. This is the main barrier most users face when trying to create a network. local folder.
Open the Control Panel and go to Network and Sharing Center. In the left menu, select Change advanced sharing settings. This will open a list of profiles: private network, guest network, and all networks.
In the "Private (current profile)" section, you need to enable the following options:
- 📡 Enable network discovery
- 💾 Enable file and printer sharing
- 🔐 Allow Windows to manage HomeGroup connections
Next, expand the "All Networks" tab. Here you'll find a critically important setting: "Password-protected sharing." If you want folders to be accessible without a username and password (convenient for a home network), select "Turn off password-protected sharing."
Don't forget to save your changes by clicking the "Save Changes" button at the bottom of the page. Otherwise, all changes you've made will be lost when you close the window.
Creating and sharing a folder
Now that the infrastructure is ready, you can move on to creating the resource you plan to share. You can use any existing folder or create a new one specifically for file sharing. Let's create a new directory on the C or D drive with a descriptive name, for example, Shared_Files.
Right-click the folder and select "Properties." Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Advanced." Check the "Share this folder" box. Below, in the "Share Name" field, the folder name will be displayed by default, but you can change it to anything you want if you want to hide the actual name.
The most important step is setting access rights. Click the "Permissions" button. In the window that opens, you'll see the "Everyone" group. If this group isn't there, add it using the "Add" button by typing All (or Everyone (in the English version) and clicking "Check names".
To fully work with files (write, edit, delete), you need to select the "Everyone" group and in the lower block "Permissions for the "Everyone" group" check the boxes in the "Allow" column:
- 📝 Full access
- 🔄 Change
- 👁️ Reading
⚠️ Note: Granting "Full Control" permissions to the "Everyone" group means anyone connected to your Wi-Fi network will be able to delete files in this folder. Only use this on trusted home networks.
After setting the permissions, click "OK" in all windows. However, the configuration isn't complete. You should also check the "Security" tab in the folder's properties. Make sure "Everyone" with write and read permissions is listed in the list of groups and users. Often, it's the lack of NTFS file system permissions that blocks access, even if network access is enabled.
Finding an IP address and connecting
To connect to a shared folder from another computer, you need to know the IP address of the first device. On a local Wi-Fi network, the router assigns a unique address to each device. To obtain it, open a command prompt on the first computer (where the folder is located). Win + R, enter cmd and press Enter.
In the black console window, enter the command ipconfig and press Enter. Find the block corresponding to your wireless adapter (usually called "Wireless LAN Wi-Fi"). We are interested in the line IPv4 addressIt will look like four numbers separated by periods, for example, 192.168.1.55.
Now go to the second computer. Open File Explorer (My Computer). In the address bar at the top, where folder paths are usually listed, enter the address of the first computer, preceded by two backslashes. The format should be: \\192.168.1.55 (replace the numbers with your real IP).
Press Enter. If all settings are correct, you will see an open shared folder. For ease of use, you can create a shortcut to this folder on your desktop or map it as a network drive. To do this, right-click the folder and select "Map as network drive." Select the drive letter (e.g., Z:) and complete the wizard.
Common errors and how to fix them
Despite its apparent simplicity, the setup process is often plagued by errors. The most common is "Windows cannot access..." accompanied by an error code. Let's look at the main causes and solutions.
Error 0x80070035 ("Network path not found") often occurs if the discovery service is not running. Check that the Discovery Function, Discovery Resource Publishing, and Discovery Provider Host services are running. You can find them by entering services.msc in the Run window.
Another common issue is blocking by antivirus or firewall software. Third-party antivirus programs (Kaspersky, ESET, Avast) may have their own firewall that blocks local connections.
How to check the firewall?
Temporarily disable Windows Firewall or antivirus software on both computers and try connecting again. If the connection is restored, the issue lies with the software's security settings. Don't forget to add an exception rule for the local network after testing.
It's also worth mentioning the issue with the SMB 1.0 protocol. On older systems (Windows 7), it's enabled by default, but on Windows 10/11, it may be disabled for security reasons. If you're connecting an old computer to a new one, you may need to enable SMB 1.0 support using "Turn Windows features on or off."
| Error code | Probable cause | Solution method |
|---|---|---|
| 0x80070035 | Invalid name or IP | Check workgroup name and IP address |
| 0x80070043 | Blocked by antivirus | Disable the firewall or add an exception |
| 0x80070005 | No access rights | Check the permissions of the Security tab |
| 0x80004005 | SMB/Network Problem | Enable SMB 1.0 or check services |
Speed and stability optimization
Wi-Fi file transfer speeds directly depend on signal quality and the wireless standard. If you plan to transfer large amounts of data (4K movies, project archives), consider optimizing your connection.
Use range 5 GHz, if your router and adapters support this frequency. It provides significantly higher speeds and is less susceptible to interference from neighboring networks and household appliances than the standard 2.4 GHz. However, 5 GHz has a shorter range, so computers should be closer to the router.
☑️ Checking readiness for transfer
Also, make sure both computers have the latest wireless adapter drivers installed. Manufacturers frequently release updates that improve connection stability and speed. You can find them on the website of your laptop or motherboard manufacturer.
If your wireless connection remains unstable, consider using Powerline adapters. They transmit the internet signal through a regular electrical outlet, providing stability comparable to a cable connection without the need to run wires throughout your entire apartment.
⚠️ Please note: Wi-Fi speed will always be lower than when connected via a LAN cable. Temporarily using a cable is recommended for critical, large-data-intensive operations.
Questions and Answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to create a shared folder if computers are connected to different routers?
This can't be done using standard Windows tools, as they must be on the same local network (same segment). However, you can use third-party remote access programs (TeamViewer, AnyDesk) or set up a VPN network to virtually connect the devices.
Is it safe to disable password protection on my home network?
If only trusted people have access to your Wi-Fi, the risk is minimal. However, if guests or neighbors can connect to the network (if encryption is weak), disabling the password will give them full access to your files. It's best to use strong Wi-Fi passwords.
Why do I lose access to the folder after rebooting my router?
The router may assign new IP addresses to devices each time it reboots (dynamic IP). Since you were connecting to the old address, the connection is lost. Solution: configure a static IP address for the computers in the router or use computer names instead of IPs.
How to share a folder between Windows and macOS?
The principle is the same: enable sharing in Windows. On a Mac, in Finder, click "Go" → "Connect to Server" and enter smb://Windows IP addressYou will be asked to enter your Windows account login and password.