A modern office or home workspace rarely goes by without data transfer between devices. Instead of using flash drives or cloud storage for every file, it's much more efficient to set up a direct local connection. Local area network allows you to instantly share documents, multimedia, and even use shared print resources.
operating system Windows 10 has built-in tools that make this process quite simple if you know where to look for the necessary settings. Many users mistakenly believe that a cable is required to connect a PC, but the standard IEEE 802.11 allows you to organize a full-fledged air tunnel.
In this article, we'll cover all the configuration details, from choosing a network type to troubleshooting common connection errors. You'll learn how to transform disparate laptops and desktops into a unified ecosystem.
Preparing equipment and checking drivers
Before you begin the software configuration, you need to ensure that the devices are physically ready. All computers you plan to connect must be connected to the same router. This is a basic requirement, without which TCP/IP protocol will not be able to correctly route packets between nodes.
Make sure each device has the latest wireless adapter drivers installed. Outdated software often results in unstable connections or complete loss of visibility in the network environment. You can check the driver status in Device Manager.
It's also important that your Windows network profile is set to "Private." If the system considers your home network "Public," it automatically blocks most discovery features for security reasons.
- 📡 Make sure all PCs are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (same SSID).
- 💻 Check that the wireless adapter is enabled and working properly.
- 🔒 Set the network profile to "Private" in the Wi-Fi settings.
- 🔄 Update your network card drivers to the latest version.
⚠️ Caution: If you're using a guest Wi-Fi network on a router, client isolation may prevent computers from connecting to each other, even if they're connected to the same router.
Setting up sharing options
The central element of the configuration is the sharing control panel. This is where you grant permission for the system to interact with other nodes. Go to Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center and select Change advanced sharing settings.
In the window that opens, find the "Private (Current Profile)" section. Here, you need to enable network discovery. This feature allows your computer to "broadcast" its presence and hear similar signals from your neighbors. Without it enabled network discovery The folders will remain invisible.
Next, enable file and printer sharing. This permission allows other users to read and write data to shared directories. It's also worth paying attention to the encryption settings: for a home environment, you can disable password protection if you completely trust everyone connected to your Wi-Fi.
☑️ Sharing Settings Checklist
Be sure to save your changes by clicking the appropriate button at the bottom of the page. The system may require administrator privileges to apply the new security settings.
Creating a shared folder and setting permissions
Once the foundation is laid, you need to create a location for the files. Select any directory on your hard drive, right-click it, and go to Properties. We're interested in the "Access" tab.
Click the "Advanced Settings" button and check the "Share this folder" box. You can also configure permissions here. The "Permissions" button allows you to fine-tune who can access the data: read only, modify, or have full control over its contents.
For quick setup, you can use the "Sharing" button at the top of the tab. The system will prompt you to select a user from the list or create a new one. If you want the folder to be accessible to everyone, add a group. Everyone and give it read and write permissions.
- 📂 Right-click on the folder and select "Properties".
- 🔓 Go to the "Access" tab and click "Advanced settings".
- ✅ Check the box "Share this folder."
- 👥 Add the user or group "Everyone" to the permissions list.
If one level is set to deny, access will be blocked even if another level is set to full permission.
⚠️ Warning: Granting full permissions to the "Everyone" group on a folder containing system files can create a security hole. Always verify which directory you are opening to the network.
Connecting a network printer via Wi-Fi
One of the most useful features of a local network is the ability to share a single printer across all computers. If you have a printer connected to one of your PCs via USB, you can make it a network printer. Go to "Devices and Printers" on the computer to which the printer is connected.
Right-click the desired printer and select "Printer properties." On the "Sharing" tab, check "Share this printer." Create a descriptive network name that will be visible to other users.
On the client computer (the one you want to print from), go to "Devices and Printers" and click "Add a Printer." The system will begin searching for available devices on the network. If the automatic search doesn't yield any results, select "The printer I want isn't listed" and specify the path manually.
For manual connection, use the following name format: \\Computer_Name\Printer_NameAfter confirmation, Windows will install the necessary drivers from the host machine.
| Parameter | Value on the host (where the printer is) | Value on the client (from which the print is made) |
|---|---|---|
| Public access status | Included | Not required |
| Driver | Installed locally | Loads automatically |
| Path to the device | Local port (USB/LPT) | Network port (TCP/IP or UNC) |
| Addiction | The PC must be turned on. | Network access required |
It's worth noting that the host computer must be turned on and not in sleep mode for other users to be able to print documents. This is a limitation of the technology, as the physical port is occupied by this particular computer.
What to do if the driver is not found automatically?
If Windows can't find the driver for your network printer, you'll need to download the installation file from the manufacturer's website. When adding the printer, select "Install driver from disk" and specify the path to the downloaded INF file. You can also pre-install the driver on the client PC, and the system will automatically install it upon connection.
Accessing computers by IP address
Sometimes the Network Places feature doesn't work correctly, and computers can't see each other by name. In such cases, direct access via IP addressThis is a more robust method that ignores NetBIOS name issues.
First, find the IP address of the computer you want to connect to. To do this, open the command prompt (cmd) on the target PC and enter the command ipconfigFind the "IPv4 Address" line, which usually looks like 192.168.1.X or 192.168.0.X.
On your computer, press the key combination Win + Rto open the Run window. Enter the address in the format \\192.168.1.55 (substituting the actual IP address) and press Enter. If the permissions settings are correct, a window will open with all the shared folders on the remote machine.
For convenience, you can create a shortcut for constant access. Simply copy the network path and paste it into the address bar of File Explorer, then drag the resulting icon to your desktop. Now you can access your files with a single click.
- 🔍 Find out the IP address using the command
ipconfigin the command line. - ⌨️ Click
Win + Ron the client computer. - 🌐 Enter
IP addressand press Enter. - 💾 Save the shortcut for quick access in the future.
Using static IP addresses on a local network makes life much easier. If the router assigns different addresses each time (DHCP), shortcuts may stop working after a router reboot.
⚠️ Note: Router interfaces and DHCP settings may vary depending on the model and firmware version. Consult your device's documentation if you cannot find the address reservation section.
Troubleshooting connection issues and errors
Despite protocol standardization, users often encounter errors like "Windows cannot access..." or "You do not have permission to access this object." Most often, the problem lies in Windows services that have been disabled by system optimizers.
Check the Function Discovery Resource Publishing service. If it is stopped, your computer will not be visible on the network. You can start it from the Services menu (command services.msc). Startup type must be set to "Automatic".
Another common cause is an antivirus or firewall. Third-party security suites may block local connections, deeming them suspicious. Try temporarily disabling the firewall or adding your private network to the trusted list.
Also, make sure that SMB 1.0 support is enabled on both computers, although it's often disabled by default in modern versions of Windows 10 due to vulnerabilities. To work with older NAS or printers, you may need to manually enable it in Windows Features.
If all else fails, try resetting your network settings. Windows 10 has a "Network Reset" feature in Settings that reinstalls drivers and returns all components to factory defaults. After a reboot, you'll have to reconfigure the settings, but this often resolves hidden conflicts.
Why can't computers see each other even though they have the same Wi-Fi?
Most often, the problem is that one of the computers is viewing the network as "Public." In this mode, Windows blocks incoming connections. Also, check if "Client Isolation" is enabled in your router settings.
How do I find out the IP address of another computer on the network?
If you know the computer name, you can use the command ping computer_name in the command line. The response will include its IP address. Alternatively, view the list of connected clients in your router's web interface.
Is it safe to disable password when sharing?
For a home network with no outsiders, this is acceptable and convenient. However, in an office or apartment building with poor Wi-Fi security, it's better to leave passwords or create separate users with limited rights.
Is it possible to create a shared network without a router?
Yes, you can set up a computer-to-computer (Ad-hoc) network, but this feature is hidden in Windows 10 and requires creating a dedicated access point via the command line or third-party software. It's easier and more stable to use even the cheapest router.
How do I disable folder sharing?
Go to the folder properties, click the "Sharing" tab, click "Advanced Settings," and uncheck "Share." Once the changes are applied, the folder will only be accessible locally.