How to create a local network between two laptops via WiFi

Creating a local area network (LAN) between two laptops is the fastest way to exchange large amounts of data without using external hard drives or cloud storage. Unlike transferring files over the internet, a local connection provides maximum speed, limited only by the bandwidth of your router and network adapters. This solution is ideal for gamers wanting to play online or office workers needing to collaborate on documents.

Modern operating systems like Windows 10 and Windows 11 have built-in tools for establishing such connections, but security settings often block device visibility by default. Users encounter situations where laptops are connected to the same router but are unable to see each other in the network environment. Properly configuring the network profile and sharing settings resolves this issue in minutes.

In this article, we'll cover the setup process in detail, from checking the physical connection to forwarding ports for specific tasks. You'll learn how static IP addresses can make life easier and why it's best to keep the SMBv1 protocol disabled. We'll also cover security considerations to ensure your local network remains accessible only to trusted devices.

Preparing equipment and checking connections

The first step is to ensure physical communication between the devices. Both laptops must be connected to the same wireless router. It doesn't matter whether you're using 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, as long as the devices are on the same network segment. If one laptop is connected via cable and the other via WiFi, that's also acceptable, as long as the router doesn't separate them into different VLANs.

You need to ensure that the network adapter is enabled on both devices and that the drivers are working correctly. There shouldn't be any exclamation marks next to the network controllers in Device Manager. Also, check that the network mode is set to "Private" and not "Public," as Windows hides the computer from detection by default in the public profile.

• 📶 Make sure both laptops are connected to the same SSID (WiFi network name).
• 💻 Check if the WiFi activity indicators are lit on both devices.
• 🔌 If you are using a wired connection, make sure the cable is secure and inserted until it clicks into place.
• 🔋 Make sure that power saving mode is not enabled on laptops, which may disable the adapter.

⚠️ Attention: If you're in a public place (a cafe or airport), the creation of a local network may be blocked by your ISP's router settings (client isolation). In such cases, connecting laptops directly without access to the router's admin panel won't work.

After a physical inspection, it's worth running a preliminary diagnostic. Open a command prompt and enter the command ipconfigto see the current IP address. If the address begins with 169.254.xx, it means the device hasn't received an address from the router (DHCP), and the connection hasn't been established. Normally, you'll see an address like 192.168.xx or 10.xxx.

Configuring network settings in Windows

A key step in establishing communication is changing the network profile. Windows by default considers new WiFi connections to be public, which blocks your PC's visibility. You need to go to the network settings and change the profile type to "Private." This will make your computer discoverable to other devices in the same trust zone.

Next, you need to enable sharing features. In the Control Panel, under "Network and Sharing Center," select "Change advanced sharing settings." This opens options for enabling PC discovery and automatic network connection configuration. Without these options enabled, laptops will ignore connection requests even with the correct IP address.

It's also important to pay attention to encryption settings. Modern versions of Windows use 128-bit encryption to protect passwords. Make sure both laptops have the same security standards, although on a home network this is automatically managed by the router. If you're using older versions of Windows (7 or XP), you may need to enable SMBv1 support, but this not recommended due to security vulnerabilities.

⚠️ Attention: Changing your network profile to "Private" makes your computer visible to other devices on this network. Make sure you trust all users connected to this WiFi network.

Advanced users can configure settings via Group Policy, but the standard interface settings are sufficient for pairing two laptops. If the changes don't take effect immediately, try disabling and re-enabling the WiFi adapter or restarting the laptop. Sometimes the network settings cache needs to be refreshed.

Configuring IP addresses and workgroup

For stable local network operation, especially if the router's DHCP server is unstable or you plan to frequently replace devices, it makes sense to assign static IP addresses. This ensures that the laptop's address won't change after a reboot, which is important for setting up persistent paths to shared folders. The addresses should be in the same subnet, but differ in the last digits.

Configuration is performed through the TCP/IP version 4 protocol properties. You need to manually enter the IP address, subnet mask, and gateway. The subnet mask is usually 255.255.255.0, and the gateway is your router's address (often 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). You can specify the same DNS servers as the gateway, or use public ones, such as Google's (8.8.8.8).

Besides IP addressing, it is critical that both laptops are on the same working groupBy default, this is the WORKGROUP group in Windows. If it's renamed to HOME on one PC, for example, and remains the default on another, discovery may not work correctly. You can change the workgroup name in the system properties, but a reboot is required.

When entering static addresses, ensure they are not within the range automatically assigned by the router (DHCP pool). For example, if the router assigns addresses from 100 to 200, enter static addresses outside this range (e.g., 50 and 51) to avoid IP conflicts when a phone or tablet connects to the network.

Organizing shared access to files and folders

Once the network infrastructure is configured, it's time to share resources. You can share a specific folder, an entire drive, or just specific files. To do this, right-click the desired folder, select "Properties," and go to the "Sharing" tab. Click "Advanced" and check "Share this folder."

Setting up permissions is an important step. You must explicitly specify what actions users are allowed to perform: read-only, read and write, or full control. For a home network, it's often convenient to use the "Everyone" group, but in a corporate environment, it's better to assign specific user accounts for increased security.

There's also the concept of a "Public Folder," which is located by default in the user profile. Files placed there are automatically accessible to other network users if the corresponding option is enabled in the Network and Sharing Center. This is a quick way to transfer files without having to configure extensive permissions.

When attempting to access a shared folder from another laptop, the system may prompt you for credentials. You'll need to enter the username and password for the user account on the computer where the folder is located. Without a password, Windows may deny you access for security reasons, so creating a password for the local account is often necessary.

⚠️ Attention: Interfaces and menu item names may vary slightly depending on your Windows version (Home, Pro, Enterprise) and installed updates. Always consult the latest Microsoft documentation if you can't find the item you need.

Diagnosing and resolving visibility problems

Even with proper configuration, situations may arise where laptops cannot see each other. First, use Windows' built-in diagnostics. Right-click the network icon and select "Diagnose." The system will automatically check for issues with the adapter, drivers, or DNS settings.

The problem is often rooted in your firewall. Your antivirus or Windows' built-in security may be blocking incoming connections. Check if File and Printer Sharing is allowed on your private network. If you're using a third-party antivirus (Kaspersky, ESET, or Avast), try temporarily disabling its firewall to test.

• 🔍 Use the command ping to check the connection between laptops.
• 🛡️ Check the firewall settings on both devices.
• 🔄 Restart the Discovery Service Provider Host service.
• 📡 Make sure that AP Isolation is not enabled on your router.

To check the connection, open a command prompt and type ping 192.168.1.51 (where 192.168.1.51 is the IP address of the second laptop). If you see the response "Reply from...," then the physical connection and basic network settings are fine, and the problem should be looked for in access rights or Windows services. If you see "Timeout exceeded," the problem is at the network level.

Another common cause is a disabled discovery service. Click Win + R, enter services.msc and find the services related to SSDP, UPnP, and Discovery. They should be running and running automatically. Without them,