Creating a local network between two or more laptops is one of the basic tasks for transferring large amounts of data, organizing collaboration, or running online games without the internet. In the operating system Windows 10 The setup process has become more secure, but also somewhat confusing due to the deactivation of older protocols by default. Users often encounter a situation where devices are connected to the same router but cannot "see" each other in the network environment.
There are two main ways to implement such a connection: through the existing infrastructure Wi-Fi router Or by creating a direct laptop-to-laptop connection (Ad-hoc or Mobile Hotspot mode). The choice of method depends on the availability of a router and the required data transfer speed. In this article, we'll examine both options, focusing on setting up network profiles and sharing rules, which are the most common causes of failures.
Before starting work, make sure that all connected devices have the latest drivers for the wireless adapter installed. It is critical that all laptops are on the same subnet, meaning they have IP addresses like 192.168.1.X, where X is a unique number for each device. If you're using a corporate network or guest Wi-Fi at a hotel, administrative restrictions may block direct connections between clients, in which case only a direct connection or a virtual private network will help.
Select topology: via router or direct connection
The first and most common scenario involves having a working Wi-Fi router. In this case, all laptops are connected to the same wireless network, and the router acts as a switch, distributing traffic between clients. This is the most stable option, as DHCP server The router automatically assigns correct IP addresses and resolves naming conflicts.
The second option is suitable for field conditions where there is no access to an access point. Here, one of the laptops acts as a server, creating a virtual network to which the second device connects. In Windows 10, the "Networking" feature is used for this. Mobile hotspot or creating a computer-to-computer connection. Speed in this mode may be lower due to limitations of the wireless adapter, which operates simultaneously for both receiving and transmitting.
- 📶 Via router: High stability, automatic IP configuration, and Internet access for all nodes.
- 💻 Direct connection: It doesn't require any additional equipment and works without the internet, but it's more difficult to set up access rights.
- 🔒 Safety: On public networks, it's best to use a direct connection with WPA2 encryption to isolate traffic from other users.
⚠️ Attention: When using direct connections in public places (cafes, airports), always check the network type. If the system prompts you to choose between "Private" and "Public," always select "Public" for the external interface to hide your laptop from prying eyes, and create a separate virtual network for file transfers.
Setting up the network type and access profile
The foundation for making devices visible on a local network is choosing the right network profile. When you first connect to Wi-Fi, Windows 10 asks if you want to make your computer discoverable. If you answer "No" or skip this step, the system will assign the profile status to "Public Network," which automatically enables a strict firewall and hides your device from others.
To change this parameter you need to go to Settings → Network & Internet → StatusIn the "Properties" section of the current connection, switch the radio to "Private." This will allow incoming connections and enable discovery services. On the second laptop you want to pair with the first, you need to follow the exact same procedure.
After changing the profile, the system will apply the new firewall rules. Sometimes a network adapter reboot or a full device restart is required for the changes to take effect. You can check the current status via the command line by entering the following command: netsh interface show interface, where the "Meta State" column should say "Connected" and the description should say "Private".
Enabling discovery and sharing services
Even with the correct network profile, files may not be accessible if the corresponding services are disabled. Windows 10 uses several protocols to discover devices, including LLMNR, mDNS and outdated SMB 1.0 (which is best left unenabled for security reasons unless absolutely necessary). The underlying mechanism is based on the "Detection Function" service.
To activate, go to Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settingsHere you'll see three profiles: private, guest/public, and all networks. We're interested in the first section. You need to enable the following options:
- 🔍 Enable network discovery: Allows the computer to see and be visible to other devices.
- 📂 Enable file and printer sharing: opens ports for data transfer.
- 🔐 Enable automatic configuration of network devices: allows the system to independently open the necessary ports in the router (UPnP).
In the "All Networks" section, we recommend enabling the "Turn off password-protected sharing" option only if you're on a fully trusted home network. Otherwise, it's best to leave the security enabled so that the username and password of the user account whose folder you're accessing are required when connecting. This will prevent unauthorized access to your data.
☑️ Check access settings
Setting up shared folders and port forwarding
Once the network foundation is laid, you need to grant access to specific resources. Simply having files on the disk isn't enough—you need to explicitly tell the system which folders are being shared. To do this, right-click the desired folder, select Properties → Access and click the "Advanced settings" button.
In the window that opens, check the box "Share this folder." Below, click "Permissions." By default, the "Everyone" group is set to read-only permissions. If you plan to not only retrieve files but also write them to the remote laptop, you should select the "Everyone" group and check "Full Control" or "Modify."
⚠️ Attention: Granting "Full Control" to the "Everyone" group, combined with password protection disabled, means anyone who connects to your Wi-Fi will be able to delete or modify your files. Use this combination only on isolated networks without internet access.
It's also worth paying attention to the "Security" tab in the folder's properties. NTFS (file system) permissions take precedence over network permissions. If network permissions allow access, but the "Everyone" user or group is blocked in the Security tab, the connection will be reset with an "Access Denied" error.
What should I do if the folder is visible but won't open?
Often, the problem lies with your antivirus software. Temporarily disabling the firewall of a third-party antivirus (Kaspersky, ESET, Dr.Web) helps diagnose the problem. If access is restored after disabling, add an exclusion rule for the local subnet in your antivirus's security settings.
Diagnosing and troubleshooting visibility problems
Even with a perfect setup, sometimes laptops can't see each other. The first step in troubleshooting should always be checking IP addressing. Open the command prompt (Win+R, enter cmd) and enter ipconfigCompare the addresses on both devices.
If the addresses are on different subnets (for example, 192.168.0.5 and 192.168.1.5), the devices will not be able to connect directly without routing. Also, try running the command ping [IP address of the second laptop]If you can ping but there are no folders, the problem is with the sharing settings. If there's no ping, the problem is at the network or firewall level.
| Symptom | Possible cause | Solution method |
|---|---|---|
| Devices are not visible on the network | The discovery service is disabled. | Enable in Network and Sharing Center |
| It asks for a password but does not accept the correct one. | Account data mismatch | Create identical local accounts with passwords |
| Error 0x80070035 | The SMB 1.0 service is not running. | Enable the SMB 1.0 feature in "Turn on Windows features" |
| Unstable transmission speed | Wi-Fi interference or old standard | Switch to 5 GHz or use a cable |
It is also important to check that the necessary services are running. Click Win+R, enter services.msc and ensure that the Discovery Resource Publishing, Discovery Provider Host, and SSDP Discovery services are started and running in automatic mode. Stopping them often causes computers to disappear from the list of network devices.
Setting up a direct connection without a router
If you don't have a router handy, Windows 10 lets you turn one of your laptops into a hotspot. This doesn't just share the internet, it also creates a local network. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Mobile HotspotTurn on the feature and select the "Wi-Fi" sharing method.
The second laptop should find the created network in the list of available Wi-Fi connections and connect to it by entering the password specified in the hotspot settings. Once connected, both devices will be connected to the same local network, and all the sharing rules described above will apply.
An alternative, older method is to create a computer-to-computer connection via the command line or adapter settings, but Microsoft is gradually deprecating this feature in Windows 10 in favor of Mobile Hotspot. Therefore, using the built-in hotspot feature is the most reliable and supported method.
Why can't the second laptop see folders even though the network is working?
The problem is most likely with the credential cache. Windows may have remembered an old password or login attempt. Go to Control Panel → Credential Manager → Windows Credentials. Find the network resource address (IP address or computer name) and delete the entry. After that, the system will prompt you for credentials again when you try to access the account.
Is it possible to link laptops with different versions of Windows (7, 8, 10, 11)?
Yes, this is possible, as it uses the standard SMB protocol. However, on newer versions of Windows (10/11), SMBv1, which is often used in Windows 7, is disabled by default. For compatibility, it's best to configure SMBv2/v3 on your old computer or, as a last resort, enable SMB 1.0 support on your new computer (not recommended due to vulnerabilities).
How to speed up file transfers over Wi-Fi?
Speed is limited by the wireless channel's bandwidth. For maximum speed, use the 5 GHz band (AC or AX standards), and ensure both laptops support 80 MHz channel width. Avoid TKIP encryption, preferring AES. Ideally, for transferring hundreds of gigabytes of data, use a LAN cable (twisted pair), connecting the laptops directly or through a switch.