The situation of urgently needing to transfer gigabytes of data, but lacking a flash drive, a patch cord, or, most importantly, a router, is familiar to many system administrators and advanced users. Fortunately, modern Windows operating systems have built-in functionality that allows you to organize direct wireless connection Between devices. This method, often referred to as Ad-Hoc mode or using a virtual router, turns one laptop into an access point to which the second device connects.
This approach eliminates the need to purchase additional equipment or run cables throughout the apartment. It is sufficient for both devices to be in good working order. Wi-Fi adaptersUnlike a classic router-based infrastructure, the network topology is simplified to a minimum, which reduces latency when transferring files within the local network, although it does require more careful configuration of security and IP addressing parameters.
In this article, we'll detail the process of creating such a connection in Windows 10 and Windows 11. You'll learn how to properly configure a network profile, assign static addresses, and share folders so that machines can see each other on the network. This solution is ideal for temporary workgroups, LAN gaming sessions, or quick data migration.
Preparing equipment and checking drivers
Before tweaking network settings, you need to ensure the hardware is working properly. It's crucial that the wireless drivers are installed and working correctly on both computers. You can check this using device Manager, finding the "Network Adapters" section. If there's a yellow exclamation mark next to the device, you should first restore its functionality.
It's also worth keeping in mind that some older adapters may not support hosted network mode or network teaming. This is rare for modern laptops running Windows 10/11, but issues may arise on desktop PCs with USB dongles. Make sure Wi-Fi is enabled physically (via the switch or the Fn+F hotkey) and in software.
Please pay special attention to the fact that the network you are creating will operate in the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band, depending on the host adapter settings. If one of the computers only supports the older standard 802.11n, and the second one is configured to work exclusively in 802.11ax, visibility issues may occur. In such cases, it is recommended to temporarily align the settings of both adapters using Device Manager.
☑️ Checking your network readiness
Creating a wireless network on the host computer
The process of setting up a network begins with the computer that will act as the server or access point. In Windows 10 and 11, this process is significantly simplified compared to previous OS versions and doesn't require entering complex commands into the console, although that method does exist. We'll use the graphical interface, which is more intuitive for most users.
Open the Start menu and go to Settings (gear icon). You are interested in the section Network and InternetIn the left column, select "Mobile Hotspot." This is where you can turn your PC into a router. Turn the "Allow other devices to use my internet connection" switch to "On."
Next, you need to configure the network settings. Click the "Edit" button to set the name (SSID) and password. The network name must be unique to avoid conflicts with neighboring access points. The password must be at least 8 characters long. After saving the settings, the system will automatically launch the virtual adapter.
⚠️ Note: When you enable a mobile hotspot, Windows may automatically switch the network profile type to "Public." For the local network to function correctly and allow file access, you must manually change the profile to "Private" in the Wi-Fi connection properties.
Selecting the frequency band is important. In the "Internet Connection Sharing" drop-down menu, you can select "Any available band," "5 GHz Wi-Fi," or "2.4 GHz Wi-Fi." If the second computer is older and doesn't see the network, force the host to switch to a different band. 2.4 GHz, as it has better compatibility with older hardware.
Connecting a second computer to the network
Once the first computer is broadcasting a signal, move on to the second device. The connection procedure is no different from logging into a regular home network. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray (near the clock) and find the created network in the list using the name you specified in the previous step.
Enter your password and click "Connect." The system will ask if you want to make this computer discoverable on the network. Be sure to answer "Yes" or select the "Private" profile. This is key: if you select "Public," Windows will block incoming connections and your files will not be visible.
You can verify a successful connection by checking the Wi-Fi icon: it should show signal strength without any yellow warnings. Also, the network settings should show "Connected, Secure." Now the physical connection between the two machines is established, and they can exchange data packets.
If the connection fails on the first try, try forgetting the network on the client computer and re-establishing the connection. Sometimes, temporarily disabling the firewall or antivirus software on the receiving end to diagnose the problem helps.
Configuring IP addresses and network discovery
Although Windows often automatically assigns addresses via the hotspot's built-in DHCP server, for stable local network operation between two PCs, it's best to assign static IP addresses. This will prevent the computers from losing contact with each other after a reboot.
On both computers, click Win + R, enter ncpa.cpl and press Enter. Find your wireless connection, right-click it, and select "Properties." Find "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" in the list, select it, and click "Properties" again.
Here you need to enter the following data manually:
- 🌐 On the first PC (Host): IP address: 192.168.137.1, Mask: 255.255.255.0
- 💻 On the second PC (Client): IP address: 192.168.137.2, Mask: 255.255.255.0, Gateway: 192.168.137.1
- 🔍 DNS: You can leave it blank or specify 8.8.8.8, although for a local network this is not critical.
After setting up the addresses, you need to enable network discovery. Open Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settings. In the "Private" profile, enable "Turn on network discovery" and "Turn on file and printer sharing."
Why do you need a static IP?
Automatic address assignment can fail with frequent reconnections. A static address ensures that the client computer always knows where to look for files, even if the DHCP service on the host is temporarily down.
Don't forget to save your changes by clicking the "Save Changes" button. Afterwards, it is recommended to run the command ping 192.168.137.2 (from the first computer) or vice versa to check packet throughput. A successful response from the node confirms that the network is working correctly.
Organizing shared access to files and folders
Now that the computers can see each other, you need to allow them access to specific data. Select the folder you want to share. Right-click it, go to "Properties" → "Sharing" tab → "Advanced" button.
Check the "Share this folder" box. Click "Permissions" below. Here you can configure permissions: for simple file transfers, simply select the "Everyone" group (or a specific user) and grant "Full Control," "Modify," and "Read."
There's also a caveat with password access. In "Advanced sharing settings," at the very bottom, there's an option called "All networks." There, you can disable "Password-protected sharing." If you disable this protection, anyone who connects to your Wi-Fi network will be able to access shared folders without entering their Windows login and password. This is convenient for a home network between two trusted PCs, but less secure.
⚠️ Important: If you disable password protection, make sure your Wi-Fi network has a complex password (WPA2-Personal), otherwise your neighbors may be able to access your documents.
To access files on a remote computer, open File Explorer and enter in the address bar \\192.168.137.2 (or the corresponding IP address of the second PC) and press Enter. If everything is configured correctly, a window with shared folders will open.
Troubleshooting and Error Table
Even if you follow all the instructions, you may still encounter difficulties. These are most often caused by blocking Windows Firewall or antivirus software. If you can ping but the folders aren't visible, try temporarily disabling the firewall completely to test.
Another (common) issue is the "Discovery Provider Host" service. Make sure it is running. Click Win + R, enter services.msc, find the service and make sure its status is "Running" and its startup type is "Automatic".
Below is a table with common errors and how to solve them:
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Windows can't connect to this network. | Security or channel parameters mismatch | Delete the network profile (Forget) and connect again |
| No access, password request | Password protection is enabled or the credentials are incorrect. | Enter the login/password of the remote PC account or disable protection |
| The computer is visible, but there are no folders. | Sharing or firewall not configured | Check folder sharing settings and firewall rules |
| Low transmission speed | Range, interference, or 2.4 GHz mode | Bring devices closer together, switch to 5 GHz |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to play games over such a local network?
Yes, many old and new games support LAN (Local Area Network) mode. Since we've created a full TCP/IP connection, games will be able to see each other's computers if they're on the same subnet. However, ping may be higher than with a wired connection.
Will the Internet work on the second computer?
By default, no, unless the first computer has a second active internet connection (e.g., via an Ethernet cable) and the "Allow other network users to connect through my internet connection" option is enabled in the properties of that Ethernet adapter. A mobile hotspot is typically created specifically for sharing an existing internet connection.
What is the maximum transmission speed in such a network?
Speed is limited by the capabilities of the Wi-Fi adapters. With the 802.11n standard, the actual speed will be 20-40 Mbps. If both adapters support 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) and operate in the 5 GHz band, speeds can reach 300-400 Mbps and higher, comparable to fast Gigabit Ethernet.
Will this method work if one computer is running Windows 10 and the other is running Windows 7?
Yes, the SMB and TCP/IP protocols are standard. However, on Windows 7, you may need to enable SMB 1.0 support (which is insecure), or, conversely, on Windows 10/11, older protocols may be disabled by default. It's best to configure the network between modern operating systems (Win 10/11).