Creating a local network between computers without using bulky cables is a challenge faced by many home and office network users. Wireless technology Allows you to instantly share files, play online games, or stream media to your TV, eliminating the need to run Ethernet cables throughout your apartment. Modern routers provide sufficient speed for comfortable operation, although they lack the stability of a wired connection.
To successfully implement the project you will need a working Wi-Fi router, to which all participating devices are connected, and a basic understanding of operating system settings. The setup process may seem confusing due to the numerous security settings, but following the steps sequentially guarantees success. In this article, we'll cover every step: from checking the hardware to configuring access to shared folders.
The key requirement is that all devices must be in the same subnet, that is, connected to the same router. It doesn't matter whether you're using laptops, desktop PCs with USB adapters, or even tablets—the principles of data transfer protocols remain the same across all platforms. The key is to properly configure device visibility in the system.
Equipment testing and network preparation
The first step should always be to diagnose the physical layer of the connection. Make sure that your wireless router The router is working properly, the indicators are lit normally, and the internet connection is active. The computers must be connected to this router's Wi-Fi network, not via a mobile hotspot or a neighboring network, otherwise they simply won't "see" each other.
Please pay attention to the frequency range in which your network operates. Standard 802.11n, ac or new ax (Wi-Fi 6) directly impacts the speed of large data transfers. If your router is dual-band, it's better to use the 5 GHz frequency to reduce interference, although its range is shorter than 2.4 GHz. This is especially important if you plan to stream high-resolution video.
Check that the wireless module is enabled on all devices. In rare cases, drivers may malfunction, causing connection interruptions. Also, make sure that the "Client Isolation" feature is not enabled on your router, which by default prevents devices within the network from communicating with each other.
- 📡 Make sure all PCs are connected to the same SSID of the router network.
- 🔌 Check the WLAN indicators on your router - they should blink when there is activity.
- 💻 Update your wireless adapter drivers to the latest version from the manufacturer's website.
- 🔒 Make sure the encryption type is set to WPA2-PSK or WPA3 for security.
⚠️ Attention: If you're using a guest network on your router, computers on it are isolated from the main network by default. To create a local network, connect all devices only to the main interface.
After visually inspecting the hardware, move on to the software. The operating system should correctly identify the network type as "Private" or "Home," not "Public," as many ports are closed by the security system in the latter mode.
Setting up a network profile in Windows
By default, the Windows operating system restricts your computer's visibility in public places. To make your PC discoverable to other devices, you need to change your network profile. Open your network settings and find the properties of your active connection. Here, change the status from "Public" to "Private."
Enabling this mode activates the necessary discovery services. The system will allow incoming connections and make the computer visible to other devices within the trusted perimeter. Without this step, files may be inaccessible even with the correct sharing settings.
Next, check your sharing settings. In Control Panel, find "Network and Sharing Center" and go to "Change advanced sharing settings." This is where you'll find the key switches that control your PC's visibility.
Enable network discovery and file and printer sharing. These two settings are fundamental to the operation of a local network. It's also recommended to enable automatic connection configuration so that the system automatically manages the necessary permissions.
- 🔍 Turn on Network Discovery to make your computer visible.
- 📂 Enable "File and Printer Sharing".
- 🔐 If necessary, enable password protection (recommended for security).
- 💾 Save your changes by clicking the "Save Changes" button at the bottom of the page.
⚠️ Attention: Enabling public access in public places (cafes, airports) is dangerous. Always switch your profile back to "Public Network" mode when connecting to someone else's Wi-Fi.
Creating a shared folder for data exchange
After setting up your network profile, you need to create the resource you want to share. The easiest way is to create a new folder on your drive, for example, "Shared_Folder," and configure its properties. Right-click the folder, select "Properties," and go to the "Sharing" tab.
Click the "Advanced Settings" button and check the "Share this folder" box. You can also configure permissions here: allow all users to read and write or restrict access to read-only. This is important for protecting data from accidental deletion.
The "Security" tab also requires attention. Make sure the "Everyone" user or the specific user you want to grant access to is listed in the groups. The permissions in this tab must match those in the "Access" tab, otherwise access errors may occur.
☑️ Checking a shared folder
For more advanced users, the "Share Folder" feature is available via the context menu, which automatically launches a setup wizard. This simplifies the process, but provides less control over fine-grained NTFS file system permissions.
If you plan to transfer very large files (over 4 GB), make sure the drive is formatted with the NTFS file system, not FAT32. This is a technical limitation of older file systems that is often overlooked when setting up network storage.
Configuring a firewall and ports
The built-in Windows Firewall may block connections even if all network settings are correct. By default, the security system closes ports for incoming connections for security reasons. Ensure that local network rules are enabled.
Typically, when you switch your network profile to "Private," the firewall automatically opens the necessary ports (e.g., 139 and 445 for the SMB protocol). However, if you use a third-party antivirus (Kaspersky, ESET, Avast), it may have its own firewall that ignores Windows settings.
To test, you can temporarily disable your firewall and try connecting. If a connection is established, the problem lies with your filtering rules. In this case, don't leave the firewall disabled; instead, create an allow rule for a range of IP addresses on your local network.
| Port | Protocol | Purpose | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 137 | UDP | NetBIOS Name Service | Open |
| 138 | UDP | NetBIOS Datagram Service | Open |
| 139 | TCP | NetBIOS Session Service | Open |
| 445 | TCP | SMB Direct (File Sharing) | Open |
Users of third-party antivirus programs should check their network settings. They often have a "Trusted Network" or "Home Network" mode that needs to be enabled for the current Wi-Fi connection. Without this, the antivirus will consider the local network a hostile environment.
What should I do if my antivirus is blocking my connection?
Go to your antivirus's firewall settings. Find the list of networks and select "Trusted" or "Private" for your home Wi-Fi network. If you don't see this option, try temporarily disabling your antivirus's firewall for diagnostic purposes.
Connecting to a computer by IP address
Sometimes automatic detection fails, and the computer doesn't appear in the "Network" list. In this case, the most reliable method is a direct connection via IP address. Each device on the local network has a unique address, which can be found through the command line.
On the target computer (the one we are connecting to), open a command prompt (cmd) and enter the command ipconfigFind the line "IPv4 address". It usually looks like this: 192.168.0.X or 192.168.1.XWrite down these numbers.
C:\Users\User> ipconfigEthernet adapter Ethernet:
IPv4 address.........: 192.168.1.45
Subnet mask.........: 255.255.255.0
On the computer from which you are connecting, press the key combination Win + R, in the window that appears, enter two backslashes and the IP address, for example: \\192.168.1.45Press Enter. If the settings are correct, a window will open with available shared folders.
This method bypasses issues with the SMBv1 discovery protocol, which is often disabled in newer versions of Windows for security reasons. Direct address communication operates at the TCP/IP level and is the most stable communication method.
- 🔢 Find out the IP address of the target PC using the command
ipconfig. - 🖥️ Use the Run dialog (
Win+R) to enter the address. - 📁 Input format:
\\192.168.1.X(two backslashes are required). - 🔑 When prompted, enter the login and password for the target PC account.
⚠️ Attention: IP addresses assigned by a router via DHCP may change after a reboot. For consistent operation, it's best to configure a static IP address in the network adapter properties or reserve an address in the router settings.
Solving typical problems and errors
Even with careful configuration, errors such as "Windows cannot access..." or "Access Denied" may still occur. The problem often lies with the service responsible for publishing resources. In newer versions of Windows, this service may be disabled by default.
Open Services (services.msc) and find "Function Discovery Resource Publishing." Set the startup type to "Automatic" and start the service. This often resolves the issue of computers disappearing from the network list.
Another common cause is different workgroup names. Although modern systems can work in different workgroups, for compatibility with older devices or NAS storage, it's best to have the same name specified on all PCs. WORKGROUPYou can check this in the system properties.
It's also worth paying attention to the SMB protocol. Windows 10 and 11 use SMBv2/v3 by default, disabling the legacy SMBv1. If you're connecting an older network printer or NAS, you may need to enable SMBv1 support through Windows Features, but this is only worth doing if you have no other options.
Check your antivirus software. Sometimes, smart protection blocks local connections, mistaking them for an attack from within the internal network. Adding the router's and computers' IP addresses to the firewall exceptions helps eliminate such blockages.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to connect computers via Wi-Fi without a router?
Yes, this is possible using Ad-Hoc technology or the Mobile Hotspot feature in Windows 10/11. However, the speed and stability of this connection will be lower than using a full-fledged router, since one of the PCs acts as an access point.
Why is the Wi-Fi transfer speed low?
Speed depends on the Wi-Fi standard (n, ac, ax), distance to the router, number of walls, and interference from neighboring networks. Actual Wi-Fi speed is often 50-60% of the theoretical speed. For transferring terabytes of data, it's best to use a cable or external SSDs.
How do I find out who is connected to my local network?
The easiest way is to log into your router's web interface (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 1.1) and find the "Client List" or "DHCP" section. All devices, their MAC addresses, and assigned IP addresses will be displayed there.
Is it safe to keep sharing enabled all the time?
If your network profile is set to "Private," Windows blocks incoming connections from the outside (internet). However, files may be accessible within the local network (if an intruder connects to your Wi-Fi). Use strong Wi-Fi passwords and don't enable sharing for system folders unless necessary.