Setting up a local network between computers isn't just about sharing files; it's about creating a unified digital space in your home. When all devices are connected to a single router, whether it's a desktop PC, laptop, or media player, you get access to shared resources without the need for external storage. This is especially important for those who work with large amounts of data or simply want to stream content from their PC to their TV.
Modern operating systems such as Windows 10 And Windows 11While new technologies have significantly simplified the setup process, the basic principles have remained unchanged for many years. You don't need to be a network engineer to establish communication between devices; just follow a few sequential steps to configure the system. The key is to understand the protocol's logic and correctly determine the type of network you're using.
In this article, we'll cover all the nuances, from checking your equipment to fine-tuning access rights. We'll examine common mistakes even experienced users make and explain why computers may not "see" each other despite a functioning router. Proper network configuration will unlock centralized data management capabilities.
Equipment check and basic training
Before moving on to software settings, you need to ensure that your hardware is physically ready to work on the network. All computers you plan to connect must be connected to the same wireless router. This is a fundamental requirement: if one PC is connected via Wi-Fi and the other is connected via cable to a different router on a different subnet, the connection will fail.
Make sure the wireless adapters on all laptops and PCs are active and functioning correctly. Drivers can sometimes become unstable, leading to connection drops or low data transfer rates. Check the signal indicators: for a stable home network, the signal strength must be strong, preferably at least two or three bars on the connection indicator.
It's also important to consider your bandwidth. If you plan to transfer large 4K video files or back up hundreds of gigabytes of disk space, the standard 2.4 GHz band may become a bottleneck. In this case, it's preferable to use the 2.4 GHz band. 5 GHz, which provides higher speed and lower latency.
⚠️ Warning: If your computers are at the edge of your Wi-Fi coverage area, file transfer speeds may drop to critically low levels. In such cases, it's best to use a wired connection or consider installing a repeater.
Make sure discovery is enabled on all devices. In modern versions of Windows, this often depends on the network profile selected when you first connect. If you mistakenly selected "Public Network," the system will block your PC from being visible to other devices for security reasons.
Setting up network type and discovery in Windows
The key to setting up local interaction is choosing the right network profile. The operating system needs to understand that you're in a trusted environment, such as your home, not a cafe or airport. To do this, change the network type from "Public" to "Private."
To do this, go to Network Settings. In Windows 10 and 11, the path usually looks like this: Settings → Network & Internet → Properties (for an active connection). Here you will see a switch for the network profile type. Make sure this option is selected on all computers you are connecting to. "Private".
After changing your profile, you need to configure sharing settings. Go to Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settingsThis opens a menu where you can control your computer's visibility.
- 📡 Turn on network discovery so other PCs can see your computer in the device list.
- 📂 Enable file and printer sharing to enable data transfer.
- 🔒 Disable password protection only if you are completely confident in the security of your Wi-Fi network and trust all connected guests.
Remember to save changes after each operation. The system may require administrator privileges to make changes to these settings. If, after enabling discovery, the computers still can't see each other, try restarting the discovery services or the router itself.
Creating a shared folder and setting access rights
Once the computers have "seen" each other, it's time to determine what data they will exchange. Simply enabling sharing isn't enough—you need to create an entry point, a folder whose contents will be accessible to other network users.
Select the directory you want to share, right-click on it and select "Properties." The tab you're interested in is AccessClick the "Advanced Settings" button and check the "Share this folder" box.
Pay special attention to access rights. By clicking the "Permissions" button, you can fine-tune what other users can do: just read files, modify them, or delete them completely. For a home network, it's best to grant "Modify" and "Read" permissions to the "Everyone" group or a specific user.
Why do you need NTFS permissions?
NTFS permissions (Security tab) work independently of sharing permissions. If you grant permission on the "Access" tab but deny permission on the "Security" tab, the file won't open. For a home network, the easiest way is to add the "Everyone" user to the allowed list on the "B--Security" tab with full permissions.
There's also a "Quick Access" method, which lets you share a folder in a couple of clicks via the "Share with" → Specific People menu. This method is more intuitive for beginners, as it immediately shows who exactly has access to the resource.
⚠️ Caution: When granting full access rights (write/delete), ensure that the antivirus software on the receiving computer does not block the writing of executable files to avoid potential threats.
Mapping a network drive for ease of use
Continuous transition along the path \\Computer_Name\Folder This can be inconvenient. It's much more efficient to mount the shared folder as a separate drive in "My Computer." This will create a virtual drive that will behave like a regular hard drive, but the files will be physically stored on a different device.
To connect, open "This PC" and select "Map network drive" from the top menu. You'll be prompted to select a drive letter (e.g., Z:) and specify the path to the shared folder. You can find the path by clicking the "Browse" button and selecting the desired computer in the network neighborhood.
An important option here is the "Reconnect at logon" checkbox. If you don't check it, you'll have to reconnect every time you restart your computer. It's also recommended to check "Use different credentials" if your logins on both computers are different.
☑️ Checking the network drive connection
If the system asks for a login and password, enter the account credentials for the computer where the folder is located. This often causes confusion: you're sitting at your own computer, but entering the password for a remote one.
Typical problems and solutions
Even with proper configuration, situations may arise where the network becomes unstable or devices stop responding. One of the most common causes is an IP address conflict or an incorrectly configured firewall. If computers are on the same network but ping fails, the problem is almost always a software blocker.
Check your Windows Firewall settings. Make sure that "File and Printer Sharing" traffic is allowed on the private network. Sometimes third-party antivirus programs (Kaspersky, ESET, Avast) have their own built-in firewalls that block local connections, deeming them suspicious.
Another common problem is disabling essential services. Windows includes services responsible for device discovery and resource publishing. If they are stopped, the network will not function.
| Service | Function Description | Launch status |
|---|---|---|
| Function Discovery Resource Publication | Publishing resources for discovery | Automatically |
| SSDP Discovery | Discovering UPnP devices | Manually (autostart) |
| DNS Client | DNS query caching | Automatically |
| Workstation | Creating client network connections | Automatically |
To check the connection, use the command line utility pingOpen the command prompt (cmd) and enter the IP address of the remote computer. If you see the response "Timeout exceeded," this means packets are being lost en route to the destination.
Home network security
By making your files accessible, you potentially expand your attack surface. If an attacker connects to your Wi-Fi, they can access your shared folders. Therefore, it's critical to use a strong password on your Wi-Fi router and encryption. WPA2/WPA3.
It is not recommended to use an account with administrator privileges for passwordless network access. Windows, by default, prevents network logins for accounts with blank passwords for security reasons. Set strong passwords on all user accounts.
If you're not using a shared folder temporarily, it's best to disable sharing. This can be done quickly by unchecking the box in the folder's properties. Also, keep up with operating system updates, as many of them patch network protocol vulnerabilities, such as the infamous SMBv1 vulnerability.
⚠️ Warning: SMB version 1 (SMBv1) is considered obsolete and insecure. Make sure it is disabled in Windows Features, and all devices on the network support SMBv2 or SMBv3.
Regularly checking the list of connected devices in your router's admin panel will help you monitor who is using your network. If you see an unfamiliar user, change your Wi-Fi password immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why can't computers see each other even though they have the same Wi-Fi?
Most likely, your network type is set to "Public" instead of "Private," or network discovery is disabled in the advanced sharing settings. Also, check if a third-party antivirus is blocking the connection.
Is it possible to connect computers if one is on Windows 10 and the other is on Windows 7?
Yes, this is possible. However, on Windows 10, you may need to enable SMB 1.0 support (via "Turn Windows features on or off"), as older systems use this protocol by default, although this reduces security.
How do I find out the IP address of another computer on the network?
On the target computer, open a command prompt and enter the command ipconfigYou're interested in the "IPv4 address" line. The IP address is also often displayed in the properties of an active Wi-Fi connection.
Does internet speed affect file transfer speed over a local network?
No, your internet provider's speed doesn't affect the speed of data exchange between computers within your local area network (LAN). Speed is limited only by the capabilities of your router and Wi-Fi adapters.
What should I do if I'm asked for a login and password that doesn't work?
Try entering the remote computer's account name as the login and its password as the password. If the accounts are identical on both computers, the login may work automatically. Also, try disabling password protection in the sharing settings.