How to connect a PC and laptop via Wi-Fi in Windows 10

Creating a local network between a desktop computer and a laptop is one of the most popular tasks for users who want to exchange data without using flash drives or external hard drives. Local area network allows you to not only transfer files, but also run games over LAN, share printers, or even control one device from another. In the operating system Windows 10 This process has been significantly simplified compared to previous versions, but still contains a number of nuances that can be confusing for an inexperienced user.

There are several ways to connect devices: via an Ethernet cable, creating a wireless computer-to-computer network, or using an existing router. We'll focus on wireless connections, as they eliminate unnecessary cables and allow devices to remain mobile. It is critical that both devices are on the same subnet, otherwise they simply will not “see” each other in the network environment. Before starting setup, make sure that the Wi-Fi adapters on both devices are working properly and the drivers are installed correctly.

The entire setup process will take you no more than 15-20 minutes if you follow the instructions carefully. We'll cover both basic setup via a router and a direct connection, as well as security and troubleshooting. Once you're ready to go, you'll have quick access to your media library and documents from any device in your home.

Preparing equipment and checking drivers

The first step should always be hardware diagnostics. Even if Wi-Fi on a laptop works perfectly, the necessary drivers on a desktop computer may be missing or the corresponding module may be disabled. Check the Device Manager to ensure there are no conflicting devices or network adapter errors.

Both devices must support the standard. IEEE 802.11n or higher to ensure normal data transfer speeds. Older standards can become a bottleneck, especially if you plan to transfer large files, such as 4K movies or disk images. Also, make sure your antivirus software isn't blocking network connections, as this is a common cause of device visibility issues.

To check the status of your drivers, follow these steps:

• 📌 Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager.
• 📌 Expand the "Network adapters" branch and find your wireless adapter.
• 📌 Make sure there is no yellow exclamation mark on the adapter icon.
• 📌 If necessary, update the driver through the device properties context menu.

If the driver is missing, use another computer to download the latest version from the motherboard or Wi-Fi module manufacturer's website. Automatic search Drivers through Windows Update often do not find specific models, so manual installation is preferable.

Setting up a network profile and discovery

operating system Windows 10 Divides networks into private and public. To create a local network between your devices, the current network profile must be set to "Private." In a public profile, the system blocks the computer's visibility to other devices for security reasons.

You can change the network type through the Network and Sharing Center or through new system settings. This action makes the computer visible and allows file sharing. Without this step, any further sharing will be useless, as the firewall will simply ignore incoming requests.

To edit your profile, go to Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-FiClick the name of your connected network and select the "Private" radio button. The system will then automatically apply firewall rules to allow device discovery.

Next, you need to enable network discovery. To do this:

• 📡 Open Control Panel and go to Network and Sharing Center.
• 📡 Select "Change advanced sharing settings" on the left.
• 📡 In the "Private" section, enable the "Turn on network discovery" and "Turn on file and printer sharing" options.

After applying the settings, a reboot is not required, but it is recommended to ensure all security policies are applied. Your PC is now ready to interact with other devices within its range.

Creating a local network via a router

The easiest and most reliable way to connect a PC and laptop is to connect them to a single Wi-Fi router. In this case, the router acts as a switch, distributing IP addresses and data packets between clients. You don't need to create additional connections; you simply connect to the same access point.

Make sure both devices are connected to the same network (SSID). If you have a dual-band router, it's best to use the same frequency (e.g., 5 GHz) for both devices to avoid potential client isolation issues, which can sometimes occur with cheaper router models when using a mixed 2.4 and 5 GHz connection.

Checking IP addressing is key. Both devices must receive addresses from the same DHCP server (router). Typically, addresses look like this: 192.168.1.X or 192.168.0.X, where X is a unique number for each device.

To view the IP address, use the command line:

ipconfig

Find the line "IPv4 address". If the addresses begin with 169.254.x.x, this means the device can't obtain an address from the router, and the connection won't be established. In this case, try rebooting the router or resetting the TCP/IP settings with the command netsh int ip reset.

The table shows examples of correct settings. The key is to ensure that the first three digits of the IP address and the subnet mask are identical.

Direct Computer-to-Computer (Ad-Hoc) connection

If you don't have a router at hand, you can create a direct wireless connection between your PC and laptop. Windows 10 This feature is implemented through the creation of a hosted network. One device becomes a virtual router distributing the network, and the other connects to it.

To implement this method, you need to run a console utility on one of the computers (for example, a PC with an Ethernet cable or stable Wi-Fi). This method requires careful attention, as the commands are entered manually.

Run Command Prompt as administrator and enter the command to create the network:

netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=MyLocalNet key=Password123

Here MyLocalNet — the network name, and Password123 — password. After creating the network, you need to start it with the command netsh wlan start hostednetwork. Now on the second device (laptop) in the list of available Wi-Fi networks will appear MyLocalNetConnect to it by entering the password.

⚠️ Note: The Hosted Network feature may not work on some modern Wi-Fi adapters whose drivers do not support Hosted Network mode. If the command returns the error "Failed to host network," try updating your driver or using third-party software to create a virtual router.

Once connected, you need to enable Internet access for the created virtual adapter in the properties of the main connection if you need network access, or simply use a local channel to transfer files.

Organizing shared access to folders and files

After a successful connection, the next step is to configure access rights. Simply creating a folder isn't enough—you need to explicitly tell the system that other network users can access this folder. Windows 10 the access rights mechanism has become stricter than in Windows 7.

Select the folder you want to share, right-click it, and select "Properties." Go to the "Sharing" tab and click "Advanced." Check the "Share this folder" box.

It's important to configure user permissions. Click the "Permissions" button and ensure that the "Everyone" group or a specific user has "Read" (view only) or "Full Control" (read and write) permissions. Full access It allows you to not only copy files, but also delete or modify them, so be careful.

There's also a "Security" tab in the folder's properties. Make sure the "Everyone" user with the appropriate permissions is added there. It often happens that access is granted, but the system blocks access due to NTFS file system restrictions.

To quickly access shared resources, use a network path. In File Explorer, enter the following in the address bar:

\\192.168.1.10

Where the numbers are the IP address of the computer where the folder is located. If everything is configured correctly, you will see a list of available folders.

What should I do if it asks for a password?

If the system requires a password upon login and you haven't set up a complex account, try creating the same username and password on both computers. You can also disable password protection in "Advanced sharing settings," but this will reduce network security.

Using the Connect to Phone app and Nearby Sharing

In modern builds Windows 10 And Windows 11 There are more advanced communication tools that don't require complex folder setup. Nearby Sharing lets you transfer files and links via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct, similar to AirDrop in the Apple ecosystem.

To activate, go to Settings → System → General FeaturesEnable Nearby Sharing on both devices. Make sure you have permission to use this feature in the Bluetooth and Location privacy settings.

This method is ideal for quickly transferring single files, photos, or links. It doesn't require knowing IP addresses or setting up folder permissions. Simply select the file, tap "Share," and choose the name of the neighboring device from the list.

• 🚀 The transfer speed is higher than with classic Bluetooth.
• 🚀 Does not require network configuration for each session.
• 🚀 Works even if devices are not on the same subnet (uses Wi-Fi Direct).

However, this method is not suitable for continuous document processing or video streaming—a classic SMB network has proven to be a better choice for this purpose.

⚠️ Note: The Windows 10 Settings interface is constantly being updated. The location of the Nearby Share menu items or firewall settings may vary slightly depending on the build version (21H2, 22H2, etc.). If you don't find the item you're looking for, try searching for it in the Start menu using keywords.

Solving common connection problems and errors

Even with proper configuration, situations may arise where computers cannot see each other. The most common cause is Windows services that have stopped for some reason. Check the Discovery Resource Publishing service and the Discovery Manager service.

To check, click Win + R, enter services.msc and find the listed services. They should be running and have the startup type set to "Automatic." If they are disabled, the network environment will be empty.

Antivirus software can also cause problems. Many third-party solutions (Avast, Kaspersky, ESET) have their own "Network Protection" module that blocks local connections, deeming them suspicious. Try temporarily disabling your antivirus's firewall for diagnostic purposes.

If nothing helps, try resetting the network settings with the command:

netsh winsock reset

After running the command, a reboot is required. This will reset the Windows network stack to its factory state, removing any possible configuration errors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to connect a PC and laptop without a router, using only Wi-Fi adapters?

Yes, this is possible. To do this, you need to create a direct computer-to-computer (Ad-Hoc) connection via the command line or use the Mobile Hotspot feature in Windows 10, turning one of the laptops into an access point.

Why can computers see each other, but folders won't open?

The issue is most likely related to NTFS permissions or a disabled sharing service. Check the "Security" tab in the folder's properties and ensure that the "Everyone" user has read access. Also, check if a firewall is blocking the connection.

Is it safe to leave sharing enabled all the time?

If you're on a home network with a strong Wi-Fi password, the risks are minimal. However, in public places (cafes, airports), it's strongly recommended not to enable network discovery and sharing, as this makes your files visible to others.

What is the maximum speed that can be achieved when transferring data via Wi-Fi?

Speed ​​depends on the Wi-Fi standard. For 802.11n, actual speeds will be around 20-40 MB/s. The 802.11ac standard (Wi-Fi 5) allows for speeds of 100-400 MB/s and higher, comparable to fast USB drives.