Creating a local area network (LAN) within an apartment or office is a fundamental task that allows you to unite all your devices into a single ecosystem. Local area network It allows you to transfer large amounts of data without external drives, run games over the network, and even share the resources of one computer with another. In the age of high-speed internet and cloud storage, many forget that a direct connection between devices is often faster and more stable.
Modern Wi-Fi routers automatically create the conditions for basic communication between devices, but proper operating system configuration is required for full functionality. You won't need complex cables or additional equipment if both devices—whether a desktop PC or mobile laptop — connected to the same access point. The setup process may seem confusing due to the numerous menus in Windows, but the logic here is quite simple and linear.
In this article, we'll cover every step of the connection process, from checking the physical connection to forwarding shared folders. You'll learn how to avoid common mistakes that cause computers to "miss" each other and how to secure your network from unauthorized connections. Understanding these principles is essential for every user who wants to effectively manage their digital space.
Preparing equipment and checking connections
The first step is to ensure physical connectivity. In order to local area network For the router to work correctly, both devices must be on the same network segment. This means that both the laptop and desktop computer must be connected to the same router. It doesn't matter whether you're using a wireless connection. Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet, the main thing is a single gateway.
Check the router's indicator lights: the LAN ports and wireless icon are usually the ones that flash. If one of the devices is connected via a mobile 4G modem or is on a guest network, they won't connect. IP addresses devices must be on the same subnet, which usually happens automatically thanks to the router's DHCP server.
⚠️ Note: If you're on a corporate network or in a dorm, administrators may be using Client Isolation. In this case, the router technically prevents devices from seeing each other, and setting it up in Windows won't help—you'll need to contact your system administrator.
Make sure the "Private" network profile is selected on both computers. Windows blocks discovery by default if the network is marked as "Public," as a security measure in cafes or airports. You can change the network type in the Wi-Fi or Ethernet settings under "Status."
Setting up network discovery in Windows
After checking the physical connection, you need to "allow" the operating system to see your network neighbors. In Windows 10 and 11, these settings are located in the Network and Sharing Center. Open Control Panel, go to Network and Internet and find "Network and Sharing Center." Here, we're interested in the "Change advanced sharing settings" menu.
In the window that opens, you'll see profiles for the private and guest networks, as well as settings for all networks. In the private profile, you need to enable the option Turn on network discoveryYou should also check the box next to "Enable automatic configuration of connected network devices." This will allow the system to automatically respond to the appearance of new nodes on the local network.
Next, move on to setting up sharing. In the same menu, find the "All Networks" section and enable the "Password-protected sharing" option. This is critical for security: if you disable password protection, anyone who connects to your Wi-Fi will be able to access your files without authorization.
Be sure to save your changes by clicking the "Save Changes" button at the bottom of the page. The system may require administrator privileges to edit the network protocol registry. After this, Windows will begin sending and receiving broadcast packets, announcing the computer's presence on the network.
Forwarding folders and setting up sharing
Once the devices are "visible" to each other, it's time to configure data sharing. You can grant access to specific folders, drives, or even printers. To do this, select the folder you want to share, right-click it, and select "Properties." Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Advanced Settings."
In the Advanced Settings window, check the box "Share this folder." Below is the "Permissions" button, where you can fine-tune user permissions. By default, the "Everyone" group is set to read-only. If you want to be able to copy files from your laptop to your computer, select the "Everyone" group and check "Full Control" or "Change."
⚠️ Note: Granting "Full Control" permissions to the "Everyone" group means any user on your local network will be able to delete or modify files in this folder. Use this only in trusted home networks.
There's also a simpler way: using the "Give access to" function directly in the folder's context menu. However, this method is less flexible and doesn't allow for fine-grained permissions for different users. For a home network, it's often more convenient to create a dedicated account with a password on the main PC and grant access to it instead of the "Everyone" group.
☑️ Checking public access
Mapping a network drive for ease of use
Constantly browsing your network to find the right folder is inconvenient. It's much more efficient to mount the remote folder as network driveThen it will appear in "My Computer" along with the local C: or D: partitions. To do this, right-click "This PC" in File Explorer and select "Map network drive."
In the window that opens, select any available letter of the alphabet. In the "Folder" field, enter the path to the resource in the format \\ComputerName\Folder or \\IP address\Folder. Using the IP address (e.g. \\192.168.1.5\Files) is often more reliable, since computer names may not be resolved by the router's DNS server.
Be sure to check "Reconnect at logon" to ensure the drive is accessible immediately after a reboot. If the system prompts you for credentials when connecting, enter the username and password for the account on the computer where the folder is located. This ensures authorized access.
What to do if Windows doesn't remember your password?
If the system constantly asks for a password every time you access a network drive, open Credential Manager in Control Panel. Find the entry corresponding to the IP address or computer name, delete it, and re-add it with the correct username and password, making sure the "Save" checkbox is selected.
Now, working with files on a remote computer will be seamless: you'll be able to open documents, launch media files, and edit them directly from your laptop, as if they were on its own hard drive. Transfer speed will be limited only by your network's bandwidth. Wi-Fi channel.
Using built-in file transfer tools
In addition to the classic network environment, Windows offers other sharing mechanisms. Nearby Sharing uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to quickly transfer files between devices in close proximity. This is convenient for one-time transfers of photos or documents, but is not suitable for ongoing work with large data libraries.
Also worth mentioning is the protocol FTP (File Transfer Protocol). Although Windows doesn't include a built-in FTP server out of the box for regular users, lightweight server programs exist. These allow file access through any browser or FTP client, which can be more convenient than the standard Windows SMB protocol.
The technology is ideal for multimedia content DLNAIf you want to stream video from your computer to a TV or smart set-top box connected to the same router, simply enable the "Media Server" feature in Windows. The TV will see your computer as a video source and allow you to play content without copying files.
| Method of transmission | Speed | Difficulty of setup | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMB (Network Folder) | High | Average | Continuous work with files, backups |
| Exchange nearby | Average | Low | Quick transfer of 1-2 files |
| FTP Server | High | High | Access files from different OS and devices |
| Cloud drives | Depends on the tariff | Low | Synchronization with the outside world |
Common problems and their solutions
Even with proper configuration, situations may arise where computers cannot see each other. One of the most common causes is a firewall blocking the connection. Antivirus software or the built-in Windows Defender may consider the local network "unsafe" and block incoming connections. In this case, you need to add a firewall rule allowing incoming connections for File and Printer Sharing.
Another common issue is an IP address conflict or an incorrectly specified workgroup. While the concept of a workgroup has become obsolete in modern versions of Windows, in older mixed networks (where Windows 7 and Windows 10/11 are present), the workgroup name should match (by default). WORKGROUP). Also make sure that the service is enabled on both computers. SSDP Discovery.
⚠️ Note: Windows settings interfaces and menu item names may vary slightly depending on the update version (22H2, 23H2, etc.) and system edition (Home, Pro). If you don't find an exact match, search for a similar setting.
If all else fails, try temporarily disabling your antivirus and firewall for diagnostics. If the network works again after this, then the problem lies with your software's security settings. Don't leave your computer in this state for long; it's best to set up exceptions.
Questions and Answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to connect a laptop and a PC directly without a router?
Yes, this is possible. You can connect them directly with an Ethernet cable (twisted pair). Modern network cards use Auto-MDIX technology, so a regular straight-through cable will work without crossovers. You will need to manually assign static IP addresses in the same subnet (e.g., 192.168.0.1 and 192.168.0.2) to both network adapters.
Why is Wi-Fi transmission speed so much slower than cable?
Wireless protocol Wi-Fi It's half-duplex, meaning devices can't transmit and receive data simultaneously on the same frequency, plus the signal is susceptible to interference from neighboring networks and physical barriers. An Ethernet cable provides a stable, full-duplex connection without packet loss, delivering the maximum speed supported by the network card.
Is it safe to share the C: drive?
It is strongly recommended not to grant full access to the C: system drive to all users. This creates a huge security hole: any virus that infects a laptop on your network could encrypt or destroy the system on the main computer. Only grant access to specific data folders.
How to find out the IP address of a computer on a local network?
Click Win + R, enter cmd and press Enter. In the black command prompt window, type the command ipconfigFind the "IPv4 address" line—this is your computer's local network address, which you need to enter on the other device to connect.