How to connect two computers to a local network via WiFi in Windows 10

Creating a local network between two computers without a router is a challenge faced by many users who want to quickly transfer files, share a printer, or simply play online games. In the operating system Windows 10 This process is significantly simplified compared to previous versions, but still requires careful network configuration for proper operation. If you have a laptop and a desktop PC, or two portable devices, you can combine them into a single data exchange system using the built-in wireless module.

The main advantage of this approach is that there's no need to purchase additional networking equipment, such as switches or routers. All that's required is that both devices have working Wi-Fi adapters that support ad-hoc or access point operation. Proper configuration TCP/IP protocol and setting up sharing options will allow you to create a stable connection with speeds sufficient for transferring large amounts of information.

In this article, we'll cover every setup step in detail, from checking drivers to setting access rights to specific folders. You'll learn how to avoid common mistakes when computers "see" the network but don't see each other, and how to ensure the security of data transfers. Follow the instructions carefully to ensure a successful outcome.

Checking compatibility and preparing equipment

Before starting setup, make sure the Wi-Fi adapters on both computers are functioning correctly and have the drivers installed. Most modern laptops use modules of the standard 802.11n, 802.11ac or the newest Wi-Fi 6, which fully support local area networks. If you use external USB adapters, make sure they are connected to USB 3.0 ports to ensure maximum throughput.

An important requirement is that both devices must have the same network profile type, which is assigned upon connection. Windows 10 may classify new connections as "Public" by default, which prevents the device from being visible to others. You must change this status to "Private" to allow discovery. Also, ensure that network discovery services are enabled on both devices.

⚠️ Attention: Some antivirus programs and third-party firewalls may block the creation of a local network, even if Windows settings are correct. If problems occur, try temporarily disabling protection or adding your local network to the list of trusted zones.

Also, make sure both computers are within range of a strong signal if you plan to use infrastructure mode through a router, or are in close proximity to each other if creating a computer-to-computer network. Distance and physical obstacles can significantly reduce data transfer speeds.

• 📡 Make sure your Wi-Fi adapter is enabled and your drivers are updated to the latest version.
• 🔒 Make sure the network profile type is set to "Private network".
• ⚙️ Make sure the Network Discovery service is enabled in System Settings.

Configuring network and sharing settings

The first step in the configuration process is to change the sharing settings. To do this, open the Control Panel and go to Network and Sharing Center. On the left side of the window, select Change advanced sharing settings. Here, you'll need to enable network discovery and file and printer sharing for the current network profile.

Pay special attention to the "All Networks" section. It contains the critically important "Password-protected sharing" option. If you want the connection to be as simple as possible, without being prompted for a username and password each time, you should disable this feature. However, remember that doing so will allow anyone who connects to your Wi-Fi network to access your shared resources.

Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settings

After making changes, be sure to click "Save Changes" for the settings to take effect. The system may require administrator permissions. If you plan to use this configuration frequently, it may be a good idea to create a separate system restore point before making any changes.

In some cases, changes may not be applied immediately due to network service caching. If you don't see any changes after configuring the settings, try restarting both computers. This will ensure that the network configurations are updated and all necessary services are restarted.

Creating a computer-to-computer network (Ad-Hoc) or via a router

There are two main connection methods: via an existing router (infrastructure mode) and a direct connection between computers (Ad-Hoc mode). In Windows 10, classic Ad-Hoc mode is hidden from the graphical interface, but it can be created via the command line. This is ideal if you don't have a router handy or it's faulty.

To create a virtual access point, open a command prompt as administrator. You'll need to enter a command to configure the hosted network. Once the network is created, the second computer will be able to find it in the list of available Wi-Fi connections and connect to it just like a regular router.

netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=MyLocalNet key=Password123
netsh wlan start hostednetwork

If you have a router, the task is simpler: both computers must be connected to the same wireless network. In this case, the router takes over IP address distribution and traffic management. The main requirement is that Client Isolation is not enabled in the router settings, as this feature prevents data exchange between connected devices.

The choice of method depends on your current conditions. For one-time file transfers, a direct connection is more convenient to avoid overloading the main network. For regular work in the office or at home, it's better to use a router configuration, as it provides a more stable connection.

Setting up static IP addresses

For stable operation of the local network, especially in direct connection mode, it is recommended to manually assign static IP addresses. This will prevent situations where the system cannot correctly determine the gateway or DNS, which often leads to connection errors. In automatic mode, addresses may change after each reboot, requiring reconfiguration of resource paths.

Open the wireless network adapter settings, select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" and go to Properties. Here you need to select the "Use the following IP address" option. For the first computer, enter an address, for example, 192.168.137.1, and the subnet mask 255.255.255.0The default gateway can be left blank or the IP address can be duplicated.

For the second computer, the steps are similar, but the IP address must differ in the last digit, for example, 192.168.137.2The subnet mask remains the same. It's important that the first three numbers in the address match, indicating they belong to the same subnet. The preferred DNS server can also be specified manually using public servers, such as those from Google (8.8.8.8), if you need Internet access via forwarding.

⚠️ Attention: Don't use the address 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 for static configuration if the network also has a main router, as this may cause an address conflict and loss of internet access on all devices.

• 🌐 Use an address range 192.168.137.x for direct connections to avoid conflicts.
• 🔢 The subnet mask must always be 255.255.255.0 for class C home networks.
• 🔄 After changing IP addresses, it is recommended to run the command ipconfig /flushdns to clear the cache.

Expanding access rights and opening shared folders

Once the network connection is established, you need to grant access to specific data. Select the folder you want to share, right-click it, and select "Properties." Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Advanced." Check the "Share this folder" box.

In the Permissions window, you can fine-tune permissions for different users. By default, the "Everyone" group is selected, allowing any connected device to read and write files. For increased security, you can create a specific user with a password and grant permissions only to them, but for a home network, the "Everyone" option is most convenient.

Don't forget to also go to the "Security" tab in the folder properties. The appropriate user groups with read and execute permissions should be added here. It often happens that network access is allowed, but NTFS system permissions block access, returning an "Access Denied" error.

If you plan to transfer very large files (such as 4K movies or disc images), make sure the drive's file system is formatted to NTFSThe FAT32 file system, often used on flash drives, does not support files larger than 4 GB, which can be an unpleasant surprise during operation.

How to hide a shared folder?

If you want a folder to be accessible only to those who know its exact name, add a dollar sign ($) to the end of the folder name when sharing. For example, "SecretFiles$." It won't be visible over the network, but will be accessible via a direct path.

Diagnosing and troubleshooting connection errors

Even with careful configuration, problems can arise where computers can't see each other. One of the most common causes is Windows services, which are disabled by default to conserve resources. Check the status of the Discovery Resource Publishing, Discovery Function, and Discovery Provider Host services. They should be running and set to the Automatic startup type.

It's also worth checking the SMB 1.0 protocol, which is sometimes required for communication with older devices, although it's disabled by default in Windows 10 for security reasons. For modern PCs running the same OS version, enabling it isn't usually necessary, but if you're connecting an older NAS or printer, it may be necessary through the "Turn Windows features on or off" control panel.

If the ping works but the folders don't open, try accessing the resources by IP address by entering it in the address bar of the explorer. \\192.168.137.2Using computer names may not work due to problems with the DNS or NetBIOS service on a local network without a domain controller.

⚠️ Attention: Settings interfaces and service names may vary slightly depending on your Windows 10 build version (Home, Pro, Enterprise) and installed security updates. Always consult official Microsoft documentation for specific settings.

If you experience persistent errors such as "Windows cannot access...," try temporarily disabling your antivirus software on both computers. The built-in Windows Defender firewall can also often block incoming connections if the network profile is incorrectly defined.

Questions and Answers (FAQ)

Is it possible to connect computers if one has Windows 10 and the other has Windows 7?

Yes, this is possible, but it will require additional configuration. On a Windows 10 computer, you need to enable SMB 1.0 protocol support, as Windows 7 uses it by default for network discovery. You may also need to disable SMB 2/3 encryption at the Group Policy or Registry level if you experience authentication issues.

Why is the file transfer speed over Wi-Fi much lower than stated in the router specifications?

Actual speeds in wireless networks are always lower than theoretical ones due to protocol overhead, interference, and distance. Furthermore, Wi-Fi's half-duplex mode (taking turns receiving and transmitting) reduces effective throughput by approximately half. For larger data volumes, a Gigabit Ethernet cable connection is better.

How to remove the password when entering a shared folder?

To do this, go to the Network and Sharing Center, select "Change advanced sharing settings," expand the "All Networks" tab, and select "Turn off password-protected sharing." After saving the changes, you'll be able to sign in automatically.

The computer sees the network, but does not see other computers in the Network list.

This is standard behavior for Windows 10, where the list of network devices often doesn't update automatically. Try entering the IP address of the computer you want to connect to directly into File Explorer's address bar (e.g., \\192.168.1.55). Restarting the "Network Job Search" service also helps.