How to create a local network between two computers via WiFi

Organizing data exchange between devices within a single apartment or office is no longer the preserve of system administrators. Modern users often need to quickly transfer gigabytes of photos, video archives, or work projects without using external hard drives or cloud storage services, whose speeds are limited by their provider's plan. A local area network (LAN) via a wireless connection allows you to transfer files at the maximum speed supported by your router and provides direct access to another computer's resources.

Unlike a wired connection, where simply plugging in a cable is enough, wireless setup requires proper configuration of the operating system software. Windows, being the most popular OS, has built-in security mechanisms that block external connections by default for security reasons. This means that even when connected to the same router, computers may not be able to see each other until you change the network profile and configure sharing settings.

In this article, we'll walk you through the process of creating a stable connection between two PCs using only the built-in adapter and a standard router. You'll learn how to properly configure a network profile, enable device discovery, and share folders for instant access. The key to successful configuration is that both computers are on the same subnet with the same mask and gateway. Follow the instructions step by step to avoid common mistakes.

Hardware requirements and router preparation

Before you begin making software configurations in Windows, you need to ensure that your infrastructure is physically ready. The key element here is Wi-Fi router, which assigns IP addresses to connected devices. Both computers must be connected to this router, regardless of whether you're using a wireless connection or a hybrid (one via cable, the other via WiFi), as long as they're on the same network segment.

Check the connection status on both devices. Make sure the signal is stable and the connection speed meets expectations. If one of the computers is far from the access point and the connection speed is low, transferring large files may be extremely slow or interrupted. Ideally, both devices should support the standard. 802.11ac or newer for high throughput.

⚠️ Note: If you're using a guest WiFi network on your router, computers may be isolated from each other at the hardware level. In this case, you won't be able to connect until you switch the devices to the main network.

It's also worth making sure both computers have up-to-date drivers for their network adapters. Outdated software can cause unstable discovery protocols. It's recommended to open Device Manager and check for exclamation marks next to network controllers.

Setting up a network profile and discovery in Windows

The first critical step is to change your network profile from "Public" to "Private." By default, Windows assigns new connections the "Public" profile, making your computer invisible to other devices for security reasons. You need to force this switch to allow local connections.

To perform this operation, go to the menu Start → Settings → Network & InternetSelect an active WiFi connection and find the network type switch. Set it to "Private." The system will then allow incoming connections and enable the necessary discovery services.

• 📡 Open Network and Sharing Center from the taskbar.
• 🔒 Change the profile to "Private network" for the current connection.
• 👁️ Turn on Network Discovery in Advanced Settings.
• 📂 Activate "File and Printer Sharing".

Next, you need to check your sharing settings. Go to Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settingsHere, it's important to ensure that discovery and sharing are enabled in the "Private" profile. It's also recommended to disable password protection if you completely trust the users on your network, although this is often more convenient for a home network.

Assigning static IP addresses and testing connectivity

Although modern routers are excellent at dynamically distributing addresses through DHCPFor stable local network operation, it's sometimes preferable to use static IP addresses. This ensures that computer addresses won't change after a router reboot, and that shared folder paths won't be lost.

You can find out your current IP address by entering the command in the command line. ipconfigFind the "IPv4 Address" line. It usually looks like 192.168.1.X or 192.168.0.X. To assign a static address, go to the network adapter properties, select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)", and enter the addresses manually.

After setting up the addresses, test the connection between the devices. Open the command prompt on the first computer and enter ping 192.168.1.11 (the address of the second PC). If you see the response "Reply from...," then the physical and logical connection is established correctly. If you experience packet loss or a timeout, check your firewall settings.

What to do if Ping doesn't work?

If the ping command returns an error, the blocking is most likely occurring at the Windows Firewall or antivirus level. Try temporarily disabling your third-party antivirus. If this doesn't help, you need to allow the Network Discovery app for private networks in Windows Firewall. Also, make sure the Discovery Provider Host service is running in services.msc.

Expanding access to folders and files

Once the network is set up, it's time to share specific data. You can share any folder, making it readable or writable from another computer. To do this, right-click the folder, select Properties → Access → Advanced settings.

Check the "Share this folder" box. Click the "Permissions" button to configure permissions. Here you can allow or deny editing, deleting, and reading of files for the "Everyone" group or specific users. Be careful with write permissions if you have devices on your network that you don't fully trust.

⚠️ Warning: Sharing system folders or the root of the C: drive can create a security vulnerability. Only share specific user folders (Documents, Photos, Videos).

An alternative and often more convenient method is to use the "Shared Folders" feature. It is located at Control Panel → All Control Panel Items → Advanced SharingEnabling this option creates a special folder whose contents are automatically accessible to all network users without the need to complexly configure permissions for each individual directory.

Troubleshooting common visibility issues

Even with proper configuration, users often encounter a situation where computers cannot see each other in the network environment. The problem is often caused by disabled Windows services. Check the services. Function Discovery Resource Publication And SSDP DiscoveryThey must be running and have the startup type "Automatic".

Another common cause is time synchronization issues or differences in workgroup names. Make sure both computers have the same time and date. Also, check the workgroup name: by default, it's WORKGROUP, and it should be the same on all PCs. You can change it in the system properties.

• 🛠️ Check that discovery services are running in services.msc.
• 📅 Sync time and date across all your devices.
• 📛 Make sure computer names are unique and the workgroup is the same.
• 🔥 Temporarily disable your antivirus to diagnose problems.

If you're using different versions of Windows (for example, Windows 10 and Windows 11), you may encounter issues with the SMB protocol. On modern systems, SMBv1 is disabled by default for security reasons, but it may need to be enabled to communicate with older devices (NAS, printers, Windows XP/7). However, this is usually not necessary for communication between two modern PCs.

Local connection security

When setting up a local network, remember the basic principles of cybersecurity. Open access to files within a home network is generally safe, but if someone else can connect to your WiFi, they can access your data. Therefore, a strong password on your WiFi router is your first line of defense.

It's recommended to create separate user accounts with passwords to access shared resources if guests are on the network. You can enable the "Password-protected sharing" option in the sharing settings. In this case, when attempting to log in from another computer, the system will prompt you for the username and password of the user who owns the files on the target computer.

Regularly update your router's firmware. Manufacturers often patch vulnerabilities that allow attackers to access your local network from outside. Also, keep up with Windows security updates, which often contain patches for network protocols.

Is it possible to create a local network without a router?

Yes, this is possible using computer-to-computer (Ad-hoc) technology or by creating a virtual hotspot on one of the laptops. However, this method is less stable, has lower speeds, and requires separate manual IP address configuration, as there will be no DHCP server in this setup.

Why does the speed drop when transferring files over WiFi?

Speed ​​may drop due to interference (neighbors' routers, microwave ovens), using the older 802.11n standard instead of ac/ax, or low signal strength. Speed ​​is also limited by the performance of your hard drive, if it's older.

How to access the network from a phone (Android/iOS)?

For access from mobile devices, use file managers that support SMB (e.g., File Manager+, VLC, Documents). Enter the computer's IP address and Windows user credentials to view shared folders.