Organizing local data exchange between devices within an apartment or office has ceased to be the preserve of system administrators and has become a daily necessity for the average user. Modern multimedia files, which can be measured in gigabytes, are extremely inconvenient to transfer via cloud storage or external drives, when you can simply set up a local networkWireless connectivity eliminates unnecessary wires while maintaining high data transfer speeds, sufficient for heavy-duty projects and video streaming.
Creating such an infrastructure requires an understanding of the basic principles of TCP/IP protocols and proper configuration of operating system security settings. In this article, we'll examine two main scenarios: connecting through a central router and establishing a direct computer-to-computer connection without a router. You'll learn not only how to connect devices but also how to properly configure access rights to keep your personal information protected from prying eyes.
Before beginning software configuration, make sure the network adapters on both computers are working properly. Drivers must be up-to-date, and the devices themselves must be turned on. If you plan to use a router, it must be configured to share the internet or at least have an activated DHCP server to automatically assign IP addresses.
Choosing a topology: router or direct connection
The first step is to determine the architecture of your future network, as this will determine the setup method and operational stability. The most common and convenient option is to use Wi-Fi router, which acts as a central hub managing traffic. In this case, both computers connect to the same wireless network and receive addresses on the same subnet, making them automatically visible to each other if Windows is configured correctly.
An alternative method involves creating a network of the type Ad-hoc Or use the "Mobile Hotspot" feature, where one computer distributes WiFi and the other connects to it. This method is useful in the field or when a router is unavailable, but it has its own limitations in terms of speed and the number of simultaneous connections. The choice depends on your current situation: a permanent office is best equipped with a router, while a direct connection is suitable for temporary work.
It's important to keep in mind that using a router places a significant load on its processor and radio module, so cheaper models may struggle to handle high file transfer speeds. A direct connection between modern network cards of the standard AC or AX can show even higher speed, since the data goes directly, bypassing unnecessary router protocol conversions.
Preparing equipment and drivers
The foundation for the stable operation of any network is proper hardware and software. Before setting up, ensure that both computers have up-to-date wireless adapter drivers installed. Outdated driver versions often contain errors that can lead to connection interruptions or slow speeds, which is especially critical when transferring large amounts of data.
You can check the device's status through the Device Manager or Network Connections control panel. Ideally, both computers should support the standard. 802.11n or newer (AC/AX) to ensure decent throughput. Older standards (b/g) can become a bottleneck, limiting speeds to 54 Mbps, which is not sufficient in today's environment.
It's also worth checking whether your antivirus software or firewall is blocking network connections. Often, after installing new security software, the network profile automatically switches to "Public," hiding your computer from other devices. You'll need to temporarily relax your security or add exceptions for your local network during setup.
Setting up a network via a WiFi router
The easiest way to connect two computers is to connect them to a single wireless router. Make sure both devices are within range of a strong signal and connected to the same WiFi network with the correct password. Once connected, the system will automatically assign an IP address to each device if the router has a DHCP server enabled, which is standard for home use.
To check the connection, open the command prompt and enter the command ipconfigYou're interested in the "IPv4 address" line. If the first computer has an address like 192.168.1.5 and the second has 192.168.1.7, they're on the same subnet and can see each other. If the addresses start with 169.254.xx, this indicates an error receiving the address from the router, and the connection won't work.
☑️ Checking the connection to the router
The next step is to change the network profile to "Private." In Windows 10 and 11, this is done through the network settings: click the WiFi icon, select your network properties, and toggle the switch to "Private." This will make your computer visible to other devices and open ports for file sharing.
Setting up a direct network without a router
If you don't have a router handy, you can turn one of your computers into a hotspot. Windows 10 and 11 have this built-in feature called "Mobile Hotspot." On the first computer, go to Settings → Network & Internet → Mobile Hotspot and activate the feature. Select the connection source (in this case, Ethernet or simply creating a new network) and set a name and password.
The second computer should find the created network in the list of available WiFi connections and connect to it using the specified password. After a successful connection, the system will prompt you to select a network type. Be sure to select "Yes" to enable discovery. Now both devices are on the same local network, and you can start sharing resources.
⚠️ Attention: When using a built-in hotspot, the data transfer speed may be lower than when using a full-fledged router, since the network adapter operates in access point emulation mode, which creates an additional load on the processor.
An alternative option for experienced users is to create a computer-to-computer (Ad-hoc) network via the command line. However, in modern versions of Windows, this functionality is partially hidden or removed in favor of a simpler hotspot interface. If standard methods fail to create a network, you can use third-party software, such as Virtual Router Plus, which emulates the operation of a router programmatically.
Setting up sharing and access rights
Simply connecting the computers isn't enough—you need to allow them to share files. To do this, open Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settings. In the "Private" (current) profile, enable network discovery and file and printer sharing.
Setting up password-protected access is critical. If you're on a trusted home network, you can disable password protection, allowing you to connect to shared folders without entering a username and password. In an office environment or if you have strangers within range of your Wi-Fi, it's best to leave password protection enabled and create identical accounts with identical passwords on both computers.
To share a folder, right-click it, select "Properties" → "Sharing" tab → "Advanced." Check "Share" and set the permissions to "Full Control" for the "Everyone" group or a specific user. Don't forget to also check the "Security" tab, where the permissions should be duplicated.
Troubleshooting and Error Table
Even with proper configuration, situations may arise where computers cannot see each other or access is denied. Most often, the problem lies with Windows services, which may be disabled. Check the "Discovery Resource Publishing" and "Network Search" services via services.msc - they must be launched.
Another common cause is blocked ports by your antivirus. Try temporarily disabling your third-party firewall and testing access. If the network works again after that, add an exception rule for the private network in your antivirus settings.
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution method |
|---|---|---|
| Computers can't see each other. | Network discovery is not enabled | Enable in Network and Sharing Center |
| Password prompt upon login | Password protection is enabled | Disable protection or create identical accounts |
| "Access Denied" error | Invalid Security tab permissions | Add user "Everyone" with read permissions |
| Low transmission speed | Weak signal or 802.11g standard | Move closer to the router or change the WiFi channel |
For deep diagnostics use the command ping. Enter in the command line ping 192.168.1.X (where X is the address of the second computer). If you see responses ("Reply from..."), there's a physical connection, and the problem should be looked for in Windows access settings. If you see "Timeout exceeded," the problem is at the network or firewall level.
Questions and Answers
Is it possible to create a network between computers running different versions of Windows?
Yes, Windows 10, 11, 8.1, and even 7 can operate on the same network. However, to ensure compatibility between older systems (XP/7) and newer ones (10/11), you may need to enable SMBv1 protocol support, although this reduces overall network security.
What is the maximum speed when transferring files via WiFi?
Actual speed depends on the WiFi standard. For 802.11n, it will be around 20-40 Mbps, for AC, up to 60-80 Mbps, and for AX (WiFi 6), it can reach 100 Mbps and higher, which is comparable to a gigabit cable.
Do I need to purchase special equipment to create a network?
No, not if the computers have built-in WiFi modules (which most laptops have) or USB WiFi adapters. A router is also only required for the central access point option, but is not required for a direct connection.
Is it safe to keep file sharing enabled all the time?
On a home network with a strong WiFi password, the risks are minimal. In public places or offices, it's best to disable network discovery when not in use to avoid potential attacks from within the local network.
⚠️ Attention: Windows settings interfaces may vary slightly depending on the update version (21H2, 22H2, etc.). If you can't find a setting, search for it in the system settings or consult Microsoft Help.