Organizing data exchange between devices in a home office or simply transferring large files often requires creating a stable connection. Local area network (LAN) over Wi-Fi allows you to directly connect two computers, eliminating the need for an additional router or long cables. This solution is ideal for temporary workgroups or situations where wired infrastructure is unavailable.
Modern Windows 10 operating systems have built-in tools for configuring such connections, but default security settings sometimes block automatic device detection. You'll need to manually enable certain services and change sharing settings to allow PCs to see each other. In this article, we'll cover all the details, from configuring adapters to port forwarding.
The main advantage of this method is the data transfer speed, which is limited only by the capabilities of your wireless module. If your adapters support the standard 802.11ac or newer, you can achieve impressive throughput figures. Let's look at what components you need to get started.
Equipment preparation and compatibility testing
Before starting the software setup, make sure both computers are equipped with working wireless modules. To establish a stable communication channel, it is desirable that both devices operate within the range 5 GHz, as it's less affected by interference from household appliances and neighboring networks. Check your drivers: they should be up-to-date and support virtual adapter mode.
The Windows 10 operating system on both PCs must be at the same or compatible update level. Differences in build versions sometimes lead to detection protocol conflicts, such as SMB 1.0 or newer versions. Make sure both computers have the same network type—"Private," not "Public."
⚠️ Attention: Third-party antivirus programs (Kaspersky, ESET, Avast) often block incoming connections on the local network by default. Before configuring, temporarily disable the firewall or add an exception rule for trusted networks.
It's also worth checking the physical placement of the devices. For testing, place the laptops close together to eliminate the possibility of walls and ceilings interfering with the signal quality. A weak signal will result in constant connection drops when transferring large amounts of data.
Setting up a network profile and discovery
The first step is to align your network settings. Windows 10 assigns new connections to the "Public Network" profile by default, which hides your computer from other devices. You need to change this setting to "Private Network" on both computers. You can do this through the Network and Sharing Center or through a pop-up notification when you first connect.
After changing your profile, you need to activate the detection features. Go to Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settingsHere you need to enable network discovery and file and printer sharing for the current profile.
It's important to disable password protection if you're in a secure home environment and want to simplify access. However, if security is your top priority, it's best to leave it enabled and create identical accounts with the same passwords on both PCs. This will provide a balance between convenience and security data.
☑️ Network preparation checklist
Be sure to save your changes by clicking the "Save Changes" button at the bottom of the settings page. Without this step, any changes you've made will not take effect, and your computers will remain invisible to each other in File Explorer.
Creating a Computer-to-Computer (Ad-Hoc) connection
Creating a direct connection between two PCs without a router requires using Ad-Hoc technology or the Mobile Hotspot feature. In Windows 10, the classic method of creating a computer-to-computer network through the Control Panel has been discontinued, so we'll use a mobile hotspot, which emulates an access point.
On the first computer (the one that will distribute the Internet or serve as a server), go to Settings → Network & Internet → Mobile HotspotSelect your connection source (such as Ethernet or existing Wi-Fi) and click Edit to set the network name (SSID) and password. Make sure the frequency band is set to Any available or specifically 5 GHz, if both adapters support it.
After enabling the hotspot, the second computer should find the created network in the list of available Wi-Fi connections. Enter the previously set password. Both devices are now on the same subnet, and the operating system should recognize this as a direct connection. IP addresses will be assigned automatically by the DHCP service of the built-in virtual router.
What to do if the second PC does not see the network?
If your laptop doesn't detect the hotspot you created, try updating the wireless adapter drivers on both devices. Also, make sure the receiving device isn't in Airplane Mode and the Wi-Fi indicator is on. Sometimes restarting the Connection Manager service via the command prompt with administrator privileges helps.
It's worth noting that when using the mobile hotspot method, the first computer effectively acts as a router. This may slightly increase processor load and power consumption, but it ensures a stable communication channel with dynamic packet routing.
Setting up shared access to folders and resources
Once the connection is successful, you need to configure the resources you want to share. Simply having a connection isn't enough—you need to explicitly tell Windows which directories are accessible to other users. Open File Explorer, select the desired folder, right-click, and select "Properties."
Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Advanced." Check "Share this folder." In the "Permissions" section, ensure that the "Everyone" group or a specific user has read and write permissions (or full control if you need to write files from another PC).
| Permission type | Description of action | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | The user can only open and copy files. | For general archives, photos, videos |
| Change | Adding, deleting and renaming files is allowed | For work projects and joint documents |
| Full access | Full control over the folder, including changing access rights | For trusted administrators only |
| Folder list | View file names without opening contents | For data cataloging |
An alternative and more modern method is to use the "Public Folders" feature. It's located in the sharing options menu. Files placed in the system "Public" folder are automatically accessible to all users on the local network, facilitating quick sharing without having to configure permissions for each individual directory.
Search for computers and connect to network drives
Once the settings are complete, let's move on to practical use. Open Windows Explorer and enter the IP address of the remote computer in the address bar. You can find it by launching the command prompt (cmd) on the target PC and entering the command ipconfigLook for the line "IPv4 address".
If everything is configured correctly, a window will open displaying the contents of the shared folders. For ease of use, we recommend mapping the network folder as a separate drive. In File Explorer, click "This PC," then select "Computer" → "Map network drive" from the top menu. Select the drive letter and specify the path to the resource.
Users often encounter a situation where computers aren't visible in the "Network" section. In this case, directly entering the address helps. Also, check the "Search Discovery Resource Publishing" service—it should be running. Without it, the protocol WS-Discovery will not broadcast the computer name to the network.
⚠️ Attention: Settings interfaces and service names may differ slightly depending on the Windows 10 update version (e.g., 21H2 vs. 22H2). If you can't find the item, search for keywords in the system settings.
You can also use the command line to map a network drive. This is especially convenient if you need to automate the process or create a script. The command has the following format:
net use Z: \\192.168.137.1\Shared /persistent:yesHere Z: — the letter of the connected disk, and /persistent:yes means that the disk will be connected automatically after the system reboot.
Diagnosis and solution of typical problems
Despite its apparent simplicity, creating a local network via Wi-Fi can encounter technical obstacles. The most common issue is an access error or a password requirement, even if it's entered correctly. This is often due to Windows attempting to use the current user's credentials, which don't match the account on the remote PC.
To resolve this, create a local user with the same name and password on both computers, or disable the password requirement in the advanced sharing settings. Also, ensure that the "Server," "Workstation," and "Computer Browser" services are running in automatic mode.
If the data transfer rate is extremely low, check if one of the adapters is working in the mode 802.11n instead of ac, or whether there's significant interference in the air. Switching your Wi-Fi channel to a less congested one can significantly improve performance.
In some cases, resetting the network settings helps. In the network settings, find the "Network Reset" button, which will reinstall the drivers and restore the configuration to factory defaults. Afterward, you'll have to repeat the setup process, but this often resolves underlying protocol conflicts.
Questions and Answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to create a local network if one computer is running Windows 10 and the other is running Windows 7?
Yes, this is possible, but it requires additional steps. On Windows 10, you need to enable support for the SMB 1.0 protocol, which is used by default in Windows 7 but disabled in newer versions for security reasons. Also, make sure both PCs are set to the same workgroup.
Why am I asked for a login and password when connecting a network drive?
This is a standard Windows security measure. The system prompts you for the credentials of a user with access rights to the folder on the remote computer. Enter the username and password for the account on the specific PC whose folder you're connecting to.
Does creating a local network affect internet speed?
The local network itself doesn't affect the speed of access to the global network, unless one of the computers is used as a gateway for Internet Connection Sharing (ICS). In peer-to-peer file transfer (P2P) mode, traffic flows directly between adapters, bypassing the ISP's connection.
How do I find out the IP address of the second computer if it is not displayed?
Use the command line. Enter arp -a to view the IP and MAC address mapping table for your subnet. Look for the address that matches the manufacturer of the second device's network card. You can also use network scanning utilities, such as Advanced IP Scanner.