How to create a Wi-Fi network between two laptops in Windows 10

Establishing local interaction between laptops often becomes essential for quickly transferring large files, collaborating on documents, or even playing games together over a local network. Unlike using external drives or cloud storage, a direct connection ensures maximum speed and is not dependent on your internet bandwidth. Modern operating systems of the family Windows 10 have built-in tools that allow you to accomplish this task without installing third-party software, but the process requires careful configuration of security settings.

Many users experience difficulties when trying to "see" a second computer in a network environment, which is often caused by firewall blocking or an incorrectly selected network profile. Understanding how it works TCP/IP Protocols and proper network adapter configuration are key factors for success. In this guide, we'll cover every step of establishing a stable connection, paying special attention to nuances often overlooked in standard instructions.

Checking hardware requirements and adapter compatibility

Before proceeding with software settings, you need to ensure that your hardware is physically capable of supporting the required type of local network. Most modern laptops are equipped with wireless modules of the following standards: 802.11n, 802.11ac or the newest Wi-Fi 6, which support ad-hoc mode or mobile hotspot functionality. However, on older devices, drivers may not support creating a virtual access point, making a direct connection impossible without a router.

It's crucial to check the status of your network card drivers. Even if the adapter is detected by the system, outdated software may not work correctly with Windows 10's network virtualization features. It's recommended to visit the laptop or chipset manufacturer's website (Intel, Realtek, Qualcomm Atheros) and download the latest driver version, specially adapted for your operating system version.

• 📡 Make sure both laptops are within range of each other's signal, ideally in the same room without thick concrete partitions.
• 💻 Check that the Wi-Fi module is enabled on both devices and is not blocked by a physical switch or Fn key combination.
• 🔋 Make sure the battery charge is sufficient for long-term operation, as active wireless data transfer significantly increases power consumption.

⚠️ Note: Some corporate security policies or specialized antivirus software may block the creation of virtual adapters. If you are working on a work laptop, make sure you have administrator rights to change network settings.

Setting up a network profile and discovering devices

The first step in software configuration is assigning the correct network profile, as Windows 10 treats new connections as public by default and hides your computer from detection. You need to change the network profile to "Private," which will allow data exchange between trusted devices. This can be done through the Network and Sharing Center or through the new system settings, where you must explicitly trust the devices on this network.

After changing your profile, you should enable discovery features. In Control Panel, under "Network and Sharing Center," select "Change advanced sharing settings." Here, you should enable network discovery and file and printer sharing for the current profile. Without these settings, the operating system will ignore incoming connection requests, considering them a potential threat.

Setting up password protection deserves special attention. By default, Windows requires the remote computer's user credentials to access resources. For a home network where all users trust each other, disabling password protection can significantly simplify the connection process, although it will reduce the security level of the perimeter.

Creating a network using the Mobile Hotspot feature

One of the simplest and most effective ways to set up a connection in Windows 10 is to use the built-in "Mobile Hotspot" feature. This method turns one laptop into a fully-fledged Wi-Fi access point, to which the second laptop connects as if it were a regular router. This method is preferable because it uses standard, well-established OS mechanisms and does not require manual IP address assignment.

To activate the mode, go to Settings → Network & Internet → Mobile HotspotIn the window that opens, select the connection source (usually Wi-Fi or Ethernet, if available) and set the network name and password. After enabling the "Allow other devices to share my internet connection" switch, the laptop will begin broadcasting a signal. It's important to note that when using this method, the first laptop acts as a DHCP server, automatically assigning addresses to connected clients.

The second laptop should find the created network in the list of available Wi-Fi connections and enter the set password. Once successfully connected, both devices will be on the same subnet, automatically enabling file transfers via standard Windows tools. Connection speed in this case will depend on the capabilities of the host's wireless adapter and the level of interference in the air.

What to do if the hotspot does not turn on?

If you get an error when trying to enable a mobile hotspot, check the Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) service. The issue could also be with the driver: try going to the Device Manager, going to the Wi-Fi adapter properties, under the Advanced tab, finding "Monitor Mode" or "802.11d" and changing its value. Sometimes, temporarily disabling your antivirus software helps.

Ad-hoc networking (direct computer-to-computer connection)

If mobile hotspot functionality is unavailable or you want to create a network without internet access for local sharing only, you can use ad-hoc technology. In Windows 10, the interface for creating such networks was hidden, and management is performed through the command prompt with administrator rights. This method creates a decentralized network where devices connect directly to each other.

To create a network, open a command prompt (cmd) as administrator and enter the profile creation command: netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=MyLocalNet key=SecurePassword123. Here ssid — this is the name of your network, and key — access password (minimum 8 characters). After creating the virtual adapter, you must start the network with the command netsh wlan start hostednetwork.

After launching the second laptop, the network you created, "MyLocalNet," will appear in the list of available networks. When connecting, the system may warn you that the network is unsecured or has no internet access—this is normal for an ad-hoc connection. The main thing is that both devices receive IP addresses in the same subnet (usually 169.254.xx if there is no DHCP server, or manually assigned addresses).

⚠️ Warning: Ad-hoc networks may have limited compatibility with some Wi-Fi adapter drivers. If the startup command returns an error, your wireless module may not support "Hosted Network" mode or the driver may not correctly emulate the Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Adapter.

Manual configuration of IP addresses and protocols

In situations where automatic address allocation doesn't work or a stable connection is required for specific software, it's recommended to assign static IP addresses. This eliminates addressing conflicts and ensures that computers always "see" each other using a fixed address. This can be configured in the protocol properties. Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4).

On the first laptop, set the IP address 192.168.1.1, subnet mask 255.255.255.0On the second laptop, write down the address. 192.168.1.2 with the same mask. The default gateway and DNS servers can be left blank, or the IP address of the first computer can be duplicated if network access is required. It's important that the addresses differ only in the last digit and are in the same range.

After assigning addresses, check connectivity using the utility pingOpen a command prompt on the first device and enter ping 192.168.1.2If you see responses from the node (Reply from...), the physical and logical connection is established correctly. If you experience packet loss or a timeout, check your Windows firewall settings, as they may be blocking ICMP requests.

Setting up shared folders and troubleshooting errors

The final step is to grant access to specific resources. Select the folder you want to share, right-click, and select "Properties." Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Advanced." Check the "Share this folder" box and set permissions for the "Everyone" group (Read or Full Control).

A common problem is the error "Windows cannot access...." This is often due to a disabled SMB 1.0 service or blocked ports by an antivirus program. In Windows 10, support for the older SMB 1.0 protocol is disabled by default for security reasons, but to work with older devices or on specific local networks, you may need to enable it using "Turn Windows features on or off."

Also, make sure the "File and Printer Sharing" app is allowed in your firewall. If you're using a third-party antivirus (Kaspersky, ESET, Dr.Web), its built-in firewall may block your local network, treating it as public. In your antivirus's firewall settings, change the current network's status to "Trusted" or "Home."

• 📁 For quick access, use the path \\192.168.1.2\ in the address bar of the explorer, substituting the current IP address of the remote PC.
• 🔒 If the system requires a login and password, try entering: Username - Guest (or username of the remote PC), password - leave blank.
• 🔄 If you experience persistent errors, try resetting the TCP/IP stack with the command netsh int ip reset and restart the computer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why can't the second laptop see the network created by the first?

This may be due to the network profile being set to "Public," which hides the device. Also, check that the "Network List Service" is enabled and that your antivirus software isn't blocking the connection. Ensure your Wi-Fi adapter drivers are up to date.

Is it possible to play games over a local network using a created hotspot?

Yes, it's entirely possible. Wireless connection speeds of 802.11n and higher (up to 300-400 Mbps in reality) are quite sufficient for comfortable LAN gaming. The main thing is to keep the ping between devices to a minimum, which can be checked using the ping command.

Is it safe to disable password protection on a local network?

Within an isolated home network with no other devices, this is acceptable for convenience. However, if you're in a public place or your neighbors might be accessing your Wi-Fi, disabling the password will give them full access to your shared folders. Always use a strong Wi-Fi password.

How to increase file transfer speed between laptops?

Use the 5 GHz band if your adapters support 802.11ac or ax. Make sure both devices support 40 or 80 MHz channel widths. Speed ​​may also be limited by the hard drive's write speed, so an SSD is preferable to an HDD.