Creating a local network between two computers running Windows 10 — this isn't just a technical procedure, but a necessity for many users who want to share large files without external drives. In the era of cloud storage, a direct connection is often faster and more secure, especially when internet bandwidth is limited or nonexistent. Modern protocols make this process possible in minutes, provided you know the proper switches in the system.
The main difficulty users encounter stems from operating system security settings, which by default block device discovery on public networks. For your computers to "see" each other, you need to properly configure the network profile and enable the appropriate services. Ignoring these steps results in devices operating independently, even when within the same router coverage area.
In this guide, we'll walk you through every step: from basic network profile setup to setting up access to shared folders and printers. You'll learn how to avoid common mistakes and ensure stable data transfer speeds. It's important to understand that both devices must be on the same subnet, which usually happens automatically when connecting to one. Wi-Fi router.
Basic network profile setup and discovery
The first and most critical step is to change your network profile from "Public" to "Private." By default, Windows 10 considers new Wi-Fi connections potentially untrusted and hides your computer from other devices. To get started, open the network settings by clicking the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray or through the Control Panel.
After accessing your current connection's settings, find the "Make this computer discoverable" option. Toggle this switch to "On." This will change the network profile type to "Private," allowing data exchange between trusted devices on your home or office network. Without this step, further settings are useless.
⚠️ Attention: If you are in a public place (cafe, airport), do not enable private browsing mode under any circumstances, as this will make your files vulnerable to attacks from unauthorized network users.
Check that the same settings are configured on both computers. It's common for one PC to have a private profile and the other a public one, which breaks the logical connection between them. Make sure IP addresses are assigned automatically by a DHCP server, which is standard for home routers.
Setting up sharing options
Once the network profile has been changed, you need to enable file and printer discovery. To do this, go to Control Panel, select Network and Sharing Center, and click Change advanced sharing settings. This section contains the key settings that determine your PC's visibility.
In the "Private (Current Profile)" section, three key options must be enabled: turn on network discovery, turn on file and printer sharing, and allow Windows to manage HomeGroup connections. These settings allow the system to automatically open the necessary ports in the firewall.
The "All Networks" section deserves special attention. Here you'll find the important "Password-protected sharing" option. If you want only users with your Windows account login and password to access your files, leave this option enabled. However, if you need quick access without entering passwords (for example, on a fully trusted home network), you can disable this option, but this will reduce your security.
- 📁 Network discovery - allows the computer to see other devices and be visible to them.
- 🖨️ Printer sharing — allows you to use a printer connected to another PC.
- 🔒 Password protection — requires authorization when attempting to access computer resources.
Be sure to save your changes by clicking the "Save Changes" button at the bottom of the page. The system may take a few seconds to apply the settings, after which the computer will be available for connection. If you disabled password protection, ensure that user accounts on both computers have passwords; otherwise, Windows may block access for security reasons.
☑️ Check access settings
Creating and sharing a shared folder
Now that the network is configured, you need to determine what data will be accessible. The easiest way is to create a new folder on the disk, for example, and name it Shared_Files, and configure access rights for it. Right-click the folder, select "Properties," and go to the "Access" tab.
Click the "Advanced Settings" button and check the "Share this folder" box. Below, in the "Permissions" field, you can fine-tune permissions: allow or deny full access, modify, or read-only access. For a home network, granting the "Everyone" group full access is usually sufficient if you trust everyone connected to your Wi-Fi.
⚠️ Attention: Granting full permissions to the "Everyone" group means any network user can delete or modify files in this folder. For sensitive data, it's best to restrict access to specific accounts.
There's also a "Security" tab in the folder properties. NTFS permissions are checked here. If an access attempt fails, even with the correct settings, add the "Everyone" user (or a specific user) to the list and grant them the necessary permissions. This is a common cause of problems when the network settings are correct, but the system blocks access at the file system level.
What should I do if the Access tab is missing?
If you don't see the "Sharing" tab in a folder's properties, you may have "Simple File Sharing" disabled. To fix this, open File Explorer and go to "View" -> "Options" -> "View." At the very bottom of the list, uncheck "Use simple file sharing (Recommended)." The tab should then appear.
Once configured, the folder will be accessible to other computers via a network path. The path typically looks like this: \\Computer_Name\Folder_Name or \\IP address\Folder_NameYou can find your computer name in the System section of Windows Settings.
Mapping a network drive and accessing resources
To avoid having to re-enter the network path each time, it's easiest to map the shared folder as a network drive. This will make the remote folder part of your file system with its own drive letter (e.g., Z:). Open "This PC," go to the "Computer" tab in the top menu, and select "Map network drive."
In the window that opens, select an available drive letter and enter the path to the shared folder. If you don't remember the exact path, click "Browse" and find the computer in the list of network devices. Be sure to check "Reconnect at logon" so the drive is accessible immediately after Windows boots.
| Parameter | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Drive letter | Any free letter from A to Z | Use letters at the end of the alphabet (X, Y, Z) |
| Path | UNC path to the resource | Format: \\PC-Name\Share |
| Recovery | Automatic connection | Always turn on for convenience |
| Other data | Using another user | This is necessary if the logins on the PC are different. |
If the system asks for credentials, enter the login and password for the user account on remote computer (the volume where the folder is located), not the current one. This is a common error: you're trying to log in with your local PC credentials, but the server is waiting for its own credentials.
Solving common connection problems
Despite the apparent simplicity, users often encounter a situation where computers cannot see each other. One of the most common causes is a disabled service. Function Discovery Resource PublicationThis service is responsible for publishing the computer on the network, and without it running, discovery may not work, even if all settings are correct.
To fix this, click Win + R, enter services.msc and find the specified service in the list. Set the startup type to "Automatic" and click "Start." It is recommended to do the same for the "Discovery Provider Host Discovery Function" service.
Another common issue is connection blocking by antivirus or firewall software. If you're using a third-party antivirus (Kaspersky, ESET, Avast), it may have its own built-in firewall that ignores Windows settings. In this case, you should temporarily disable network protection in your antivirus settings or add your home network to the trusted list.
- 🔍 Checking the workgroup name - the workgroup name must be the same on both PCs (by default
WORKGROUP). - 📡 Wi-Fi drivers - Make sure your wireless adapter drivers are updated to the latest version.
- 🚫 Port blocking - Make sure that SMB ports (445, 139) are not blocked.
⚠️ Attention: Windows settings interfaces and service names may vary slightly depending on the update version (21H2, 22H2, etc.). If you don't find an exact match, search for similar options or use the search in system settings.
Using the command line for diagnostics
For advanced users or when the graphical interface doesn't provide answers, the command line is a great tool. It allows you to check the node's availability and reset network settings. Open the command line as administrator.
The first command to check the connection is pingEnter . ping remote_PC_IP_addressIf you see "Response from..." responses, there's a physical connection and the issue is with your access settings. If you see "Timeout exceeded," the issue is with your network or Wi-Fi signal.
ipconfig /flushdnsnetsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
This sequence of commands helps flush the DNS cache and reset the TCP/IP stack, which often resolves mysterious connection issues. Be sure to restart your computer after running the commands. You can also use the command net shareto see a list of all shared resources on the current computer.
How to find out the IP address of another computer?
To find out the IP address of a remote computer, go to it, press Win + R, enter cmd and press Enter. In the black window, enter the command ipconfigFind the line labeled "IPv4 Address"—this is the address you need (usually starts with 192.168...). You can also often see the IP address in the Wi-Fi connection status: Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Properties.
Is it possible to transfer files without a router?
Yes, Windows 10 allows you to create a direct computer-to-computer (Ad-Hoc) wireless connection or use the Mobile Hotspot feature. In this case, one computer distributes Wi-Fi, and the other connects to it. The sharing setup remains the same, but the devices physically connect directly, bypassing the router.
Why does the speed drop when transferring via Wi-Fi?
File transfer speeds over a local network via Wi-Fi are always limited by the wireless connection speed and can be unstable due to interference. For transferring large amounts of data (hundreds of gigabytes), it is highly recommended to use a cable connection (Ethernet) or an external SSD drive, as Wi-Fi, even the AC/AX standard, has high overhead and is sensitive to distance.