Creating a local network between two laptops often becomes necessary for quickly transferring large amounts of data or collaborating on projects without the use of external drives. In the operating system Windows 10 This process is significantly simplified compared to previous versions, but requires careful configuration of security and sharing settings. Modern protocols allow you to establish a connection even without a router, using a direct wireless connection.
The main difficulty users face isn't the physical presence of Wi-Fi modules, but rather the correct configuration of network profiles. The system can block device detection if the network profile is set to "Public," which is a standard security measure when connecting to open hotspots in cafes or airports. For home use, you need to switch the profile to "Private Network," which opens ports for local data exchange.
In this article, we'll cover every setup step in detail, from checking drivers to forwarding folders, so you can seamlessly share files. You'll learn how to avoid common mistakes and ensure stable connection speeds between devices. Using built-in tools Windows 10 allows you to do without installing third-party software.
Preparing equipment and checking drivers
Before beginning the software setup, you need to ensure that both laptops are technically ready to connect to the network. Key here is ensuring that the wireless adapters are working properly and have the latest software. Outdated drivers may not correctly support access point or peering modes, resulting in an unstable connection.
Open Device Manager on both computers to check the status of the network cards. If a yellow exclamation mark appears next to the adapter's name, the device is not working properly or the driver is missing. In this case, we recommend downloading the latest software from the official website of the laptop or chipset manufacturer, for example Intel, Realtek or Qualcomm Atheros.
⚠️ Important: Make sure that network discovery is enabled on both laptops. Some business-class models (e.g., Lenovo ThinkPad or Dell Latitude) there is a physical switch or key combination (Fn + F-key) that completely disables the Wi-Fi module, ignoring the settings in the system.
It's also worth paying attention to the frequency bands supported by your adapters. If one laptop only operates on the 2.4 GHz band and the other is configured exclusively for 5 GHz, they won't detect each other when attempting a direct connection without a router. Make sure both devices are operating in compatible mode, preferably 802.11n or higher.
Setting up network type and discovery options
The most important step that is often overlooked is changing the network profile. By default Windows 10 assigns new connections the "Public Network" status, making the computer invisible to other devices for security purposes. You need to change this setting to "Private Network" on both laptops.
To do this, go to the Start menu, select "Settings" (the gear icon), and open "Network & Internet." In the list of active connections, select your Wi-Fi connection and click it. In the window that opens, find the "Make this PC discoverable" switch and set it to "On."
☑️ Check network settings
After changing your profile, you need to configure sharing settings. Go to "Control Panel" → "Network and Internet" → "Network and Sharing Center." On the left, select "Change advanced sharing settings." Here, you need to enable the following options for the "Private" profile:
- 📡 Enable network discovery (and automatic configuration of connected devices).
- 📂 Enable file and printer sharing.
- 🔐 Let Windows manage HomeGroup connections.
Don't forget to scroll down to the "All Networks" section and enable sharing so anyone can access your folders. If you plan to transfer files without entering a password each time, find the "Turn off password-protected sharing" option at the very bottom of the page and select it.
Creating a computer-to-computer (Ad-Hoc) connection
If you don't have a router and need to connect laptops directly, you'll have to create a virtual hotspot or use the Mobile Hotspot feature built into Windows 10This will turn one laptop into a distribution center, to which the second one will connect.
On the first laptop (which will be the server), open Settings → Network & Internet → Mobile Hotspot. From the Sharing drop-down list, select Wireless Network. Click the Change button to set the network name (SSID) and a strong password that will be used to connect the second device.
What should I do if my Mobile Hotspot won't turn on?
If the power button is grayed out or displays an error, check your Wi-Fi adapter drivers. Often, the problem lies in the driver not supporting hosted network mode. Try updating the driver through Device Manager or downloading a utility from the laptop manufacturer's website. Also, make sure your antivirus software isn't blocking the creation of virtual adapters.
After enabling the hotspot on the second laptop, find the created network in the list of available Wi-Fi connections and enter the password. Both devices are now connected to the same local network. It's important to understand that the transfer speed in Ad-Hoc mode or via a virtual access point may be lower than when connecting through a full-fledged router due to the way the wireless adapter operates in half-duplex mode.
For advanced users, there's an alternative method for creating a network via the command line, which gives more control over the parameters. Open the command line as administrator and enter the command to create the network:
netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=MyLocalNet key=Password123Then start the network with the command netsh wlan start hostednetworkThis method is useful if the Mobile Hotspot graphical interface does not work correctly.
Shared folder and access rights settings
Once the laptops have "seen" each other, you need to create a location to store the files you want to share. Simply having a folder isn't enough—you need to configure its permissions correctly. Create a new folder on the drive, for example, call it "Share."
Right-click the folder and select "Properties." Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Advanced." Check the "Share this folder" box. Click "Permissions" below.
| Group or user | Full access | Change | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everyone | ✅ Allow | ✅ Allow | ✅ Allow |
| Administrators | ✅ Allow | ✅ Allow | ✅ Allow |
| User (Your name) | ✅ Allow | ✅ Allow | ✅ Allow |
It's also important to check the "Security" tab in the folder's properties. If the "Everyone" group or the specific user you plan to log in as isn't listed there, add them and grant them full permissions. Without this step, Windows may block access even if the network settings are correct.
The folder is now ready for use. Any user on the local network with the correct credentials will be able to access it, copy files, or write their own.
Connecting to a network drive and transferring files
Once the shared folder is created, you need to access it from the second laptop. The easiest way is to use Network Places. Open "This PC" and enter [my_command_id] in the address bar. First_Laptop_Name or its IP address (for example, \\192.168.1.55). The IP address of the first computer can be found by launching the command line and entering ipconfig.
If the system prompts you for a username and password, enter the user account information for the first laptop (the one where the folder was created). To avoid entering the password each time, check the "Remember credentials" box.
- 📂 Find the shared folder in the window that opens.
- 🖱️ Right-click on it.
- 🔗 Select "Mount as network drive".
The shared folder will now appear in My Computer as a separate drive (e.g., drive Z:). This allows you to work with files directly, as if they were on your hard drive, which is convenient for video editing or working with databases.
⚠️ Important: When transferring very large files (over 4 GB), ensure the disk's file system supports such volumes. FAT32 does not support files larger than 4 GB; use NTFS or exFAT.
Copy speed will depend on the power of your Wi-Fi adapters and the airwaves. Under ideal conditions, modern standards Wi-Fi 5 (AC) And Wi-Fi 6 (AX) provide speeds of up to 50-80 MB/s, which is comparable to fast USB drives.
Troubleshooting errors and visibility issues
Even with proper configuration, situations may arise where laptops cannot see each other. One of the most common causes is Windows services that have stopped for some reason. Click Win + R, enter services.msc and find network-related services.
You need to make sure that the following services are running and their startup type is set to Automatic:
- 🖥️ Host Network Provider.
- 🔍 Function Discovery Resource Publication.
- 📡 SSDP Discovery.
- 🌐 UPnP Device Host.
Service is especially important Function Discovery Resource Publication, which is often disabled in new installations Windows 10, which is why the computer is not visible in the network environment of other devices.
Another possible cause of the problem could be your antivirus software or built-in firewall. Try temporarily disabling your antivirus software on both computers to test. If the network works again after this, add an exception rule for the local network in your security software settings.
It's also worth checking to see if Windows Firewall is blocking private networks. Search for "Firewall," select "Allow an app...," and make sure "File and Printer Sharing" is checked in the "Private" column.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to connect laptops via Wi-Fi without a router?
Yes, this is possible. One laptop must create a virtual access point (Mobile Hotspot) or Ad-Hoc network, which the second laptop can then connect to. In this mode, one computer distributes Wi-Fi, while the other receives the signal, creating a local area network.
What is the maximum Wi-Fi data transfer speed between laptops?
Speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard (n, ac, ax) and environmental conditions. In the 2.4 GHz band, actual speeds rarely exceed 3-5 MB/s. In the 5 GHz band with 802.11ac support, you can achieve 20-50 MB/s, and with Wi-Fi 6, up to 80-100 MB/s under ideal conditions.
Why can computers see the network but can't connect?
Most often, the problem lies with the network profile (it should be "Private") or a disabled discovery service. Also, check whether the access point requires a static IP address, although home networks typically use automatic address acquisition (DHCP).
Is it safe to disable password protection for a shared folder?
On a home network where you're confident there are no strangers, this is acceptable for convenience. However, in an office environment or if neighbors might connect to your Wi-Fi, it's best to leave passwords in place or create a separate user with limited rights just for file access.
How to find out the IP address of the second laptop?
On the second laptop, open the command prompt (cmd) and enter the command ipconfigYou're interested in the "IPv4 address" line. You can also find the IP address in the properties of your active Wi-Fi connection in the network settings.