Creating a wireless local area network between two computers is a challenge faced by many users who want to quickly share files or play online games. Modern operating systems like Windows 10 and 11 have significantly simplified this process, making it accessible even for beginners. You don't need to be a system administrator to set up data exchange between a laptop and a desktop PC.
The main advantage of a wireless connection is its portability and the elimination of the need to run cables throughout an apartment or office. However, despite its apparent simplicity, there are several critical nuances that, if ignored, can lead to device visibility issues. In this article, we'll cover every setup step, from hardware testing to port forwarding for gaming.
Before attempting any complex manipulations, it's important to ensure both devices are connected in the same way. This is the foundation without which further steps are pointless. Both computers must be connected to the same Wi-Fi router., even if one of them has internet access and the other doesn't. Checking this condition takes seconds but saves hours of troubleshooting.
Hardware requirements and router preparation
The health of your router is critical for the stable operation of your local network. If the router is old or overloaded, file transfer speeds may be extremely slow, even if the theoretical Wi-Fi speed is high. Make sure the wireless module on both computers is working properly and the drivers are updated to the latest version.
Particular attention should be paid to wireless network security settings. The encryption protocol must be modern to prevent data interception by attackers within range. Older standards such as WEP or WPA (TKIP) can block some device discovery features in modern versions of Windows.
It's also worth checking whether AP Isolation is enabled on your router. This feature is often enabled by default on guest networks and completely prevents devices from communicating with each other within the same Wi-Fi network.
- 📡 Make sure both devices are connected to the same frequency (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz), although modern routers usually combine them into one network.
- 🔒 Check the encryption type in your router settings: it is recommended to use WPA2-PSK or WPA3.
- 🚫 Find the "AP Isolation" or "Client Isolation" option in your router settings and make sure it is disabled.
⚠️ Note: If you're on a corporate network or dorm, administrators often block the creation of local area networks at the hardware level. In such cases, software settings on your computer may not help.
Setting up a network profile in Windows
The Windows operating system divides all networks into two types: private and public. This choice determines whether your computer is visible to other devices. By default, when you first connect to a new Wi-Fi network, Windows often assigns the "Public Network" profile, hiding your PC from the outside world for security reasons.
To change this setting, go to Network & Internet settings. This makes your computer discoverable to other devices on the same wireless network. Without this step, any subsequent attempts to share the computer will fail.
Changing your profile takes just a few clicks, but it's essential for your local network to function. If you skip this step, Windows Firewall will block incoming connection requests.
To change your profile, follow these steps:
- Click on the Wi-Fi icon in the tray (near the clock) and select "Properties" for the current network.
- In the window that opens, find the "Network profile type" section.
- Switch the radio button from "Public" to "Private".
After this procedure, the system will automatically open the necessary ports for network discovery. Your computer is now ready to communicate with other devices on your home network.
Turn on network discovery and sharing
The next important step is enabling the services responsible for computer visibility and folder sharing. These settings are located in the Network and Sharing Center. Even if the network profile is private, specific services can be disabled manually or by a third-party antivirus program.
Find the "Advanced Sharing Settings" section. This section contains key switches that control your computer's network behavior. Pay particular attention to the "All Networks" section, as it contains settings that affect password-less access (if required).
☑️ Setting up sharing
In the list of options, make sure the following items are enabled:
- 🔍 Enable network discovery.
- 🔍 Enable automatic configuration of connected network devices.
- 📂 Enable file and printer sharing.
If you plan to transfer files frequently and don't want to enter your username and password each time, you can disable password protection. However, keep in mind that this will allow anyone connected to your Wi-Fi network to access your shared folders.
⚠️ Important: Disabling password protection is only permissible in fully trusted home networks. In apartment buildings or offices, this creates a serious security breach.
Create a shared folder for file sharing
Once the network services are running, you need to select the resource you want to share. This can be any folder on your hard drive. Windows' sharing mechanism allows you to flexibly configure permissions for different users.
To begin, create a new folder or select an existing one. Right-click it and go to Properties. You're looking for the "Sharing" tab. This is where the magic of turning a local folder into a network share happens.
Click the "Advanced Settings" button and check the "Share this folder" box. Below, you can configure permissions: read, modify, or full access. For simple file sharing, read and write permissions are sufficient.
It's also helpful to know that a folder's name on the network may differ from the folder's name on the disk. This is useful if you want to hide the actual file structure or make the name more understandable to other network users.
How to hide a folder on the network?
To make a folder hidden, add a dollar sign ($) to the end of the shared folder name. For example, "SecretFiles$." This folder will not be visible over the network, but will be accessible via a direct path.
Connecting to another computer and troubleshooting errors
Once both computers are configured, it's time to test the connection. Open File Explorer and go to the Network section. If everything is set up correctly, you should see the name of the second computer. If not, you can try entering the IP address or computer name manually in the address bar.
A common problem is the inability to access a network address. This may be due to caching of old credentials or a name conflict. In such cases, clearing saved passwords in the Windows Credential Manager can help.
For a direct connection, use the IP address. You can find it by opening the command prompt and entering the command ipconfigFind the line "IPv4 address". On the second computer, enter it in the address bar of File Explorer. \\192.168.1.XX (where XX is the address of the first computer).
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| The computer is not visible on the network | Invalid network profile | Change your profile to "Private" |
| Password prompt upon login | Password protection is enabled | Disable in Network and Sharing Center or enter data |
| Error 0x80070035 | Problems with SMB 1.0 | Enable SMB 1.0 support in Windows components |
| No access, read only | Incorrect access rights | Check permissions in folder properties |
If you're using a third-party antivirus (Kaspersky, ESET, Avast), it may be blocking your local network. Check your antivirus's firewall settings and add your home network to the trusted list.
Organizing a Local Area Network for Gaming (LAN Party)
Many users want to link computers not for file transfers, but for co-op gaming. The principle is the same, but additional firewall settings are required. The game must be able to accept incoming connections from the other PC.
When you first launch a multiplayer game, Windows usually prompts you to create a firewall rule. Be sure to accept this by selecting the "Private" profile. If you skip this window, you'll have to add the game to the exceptions manually through the firewall control panel.
It's important that the game versions on both computers match. Also, in the game settings, you often need to select the "LAN" or "Local Area Network" connection type so that it searches for hosts on your Wi-Fi network rather than the internet.
Keep in mind that a wireless connection introduces latency (ping). This can be critical for fast-paced shooters. If possible, connect at least one computer (the game host) to the router via cable; this will stabilize the connection for all participants.
How to find out the IP address of a second computer?
On the second computer, click Win + R, enter cmd and press Enter. In the black window, type ipconfigFind the line labeled "IPv4 Address." This is the address you need, which usually looks like 192.168.0.X or 192.168.1.X.
Is it possible to connect computers without a router?
Yes, it's called Ad-Hoc mode. However, in Windows 10 and 11, this feature is hidden and requires creating a special network profile via the command line. It's easier and more reliable to use even the cheapest router or Mobile Hotspot mode on one of your laptops.
Why is my Wi-Fi file transfer speed slow?
Speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard (n, ac, ax), distance from the router, interference from neighboring networks, and signal strength. Actual speeds when copying files over Wi-Fi rarely exceed 30-50 MB/s, even on fast routers, due to protocol overhead.