How to set up a local network between two computers via WiFi

Establishing a local connection between devices within a single apartment or office is no longer the preserve of system administrators and has become a common task for any PC user. Modern operating systems offer numerous tools for quick data exchange, but automatic settings often don't work correctly or are blocked by firewalls. Understanding how they work local network It will help you establish stable file sharing, launch an online game, or organize printer sharing without unnecessary wires.

The main advantage of a wireless connection is that you don't need to run Ethernet cables across the room, which is especially important for laptops and desktop PCs located in different locations. However, the data transfer speed in this case directly depends on the signal quality of your router and Wi-Fi support by both devices. If you plan to transfer gigabytes of video archives or work with large databases, make sure both computers are connected to the 5 GHz frequency for maximum performance.

In this article, we'll walk you through the setup process step by step, from checking basic hardware settings to fine-tuning access rights in the operating system. Whether you're using Windows 10 or more recent Windows 11, the fundamental principles remain the same, although the interfaces may differ slightly. Proper network configuration will not only make your life easier but also improve data security by limiting access by unauthorized devices.

Preparing equipment and checking connections

Before beginning software configuration, you must ensure the physical infrastructure is ready. Both computers must be connected to the same wireless router. This is critical, as devices on different subnets or connected to guest networks with client isolation simply won't "see" each other in the list of available resources.

Check the connection status on each computer. Make sure the WiFi icon in the system tray shows an active connection with no yellow warning signs. If one computer is connected via cable and the other via wireless, this is also acceptable, but both devices must receive IP addresses from the same DHCP server, which is usually your router.

You can use the operating system's built-in tools to diagnose the current connection status. Open a command prompt and enter the command to view network interfaces. This will allow you to see the IP address assigned to your adapter and whether it is within the correct range.

ipconfig

Pay attention to the line IPv4 addressIf the address starts with 169.254.x.x, this means that the computer was unable to obtain an address from the router, and the connection is not working. Normally, the address will look like this: 192.168.1.x or 192.168.0.x, where the last digits are unique for each device.

Setting up a workgroup name and computers

The foundation of a local area network in a Windows environment is the concept of a workgroup. All computers that need to exchange data must have the same workgroup name, but each computer must have a unique name. Name conflicts will lead to connection errors, so this step requires special attention.

To change the settings, go to the system control panel. In the classic interface, this is done through the "Properties" menu of the "My Computer" shortcut or through the system settings. You need to find the section responsible for the device name and domain.

• 🖥️ Right-click on “This PC” and select “Properties.”
• ⚙️ Click the "Advanced system settings" link.
• 📝 In the window that opens, click the "Change" button in the "Computer name" section.
• 🔄 Give it a unique name (in Latin) and make sure the "Workgroup" field is set to WORKGROUP.

⚠️ Attention: The computer name must contain only Latin letters and numbers, without spaces or special characters. Using Cyrillic characters or symbols such as "/," "\," or "*" may prevent other devices from discovering the computer on the network.

After changing the name or workgroup, the system will require a reboot. Don't ignore this request, as the changes will only take effect after restarting network services. Repeat this procedure on the second computer, giving it a different name but keeping the same workgroup.

📊 What operating system is installed on your main PC?

Windows 10

Windows 11

Windows 7

Linux/macOS

Network profile configuration and discovery

By default, the Windows operating system seeks to protect the user by setting the network profile to "Public" when first connecting to a new WiFi network. In this mode, the computer is hidden from other devices, and discovery features are disabled. To create a local network, you must switch the profile to "Private" (or "Home" in older versions).

You can change your network type through the Network and Sharing Center or Windows Settings. In the Settings interface, go to "Network & Internet," select your WiFi connection, and find the profile switch. Enabling a private profile will make your computer visible to other devices on the same network.

Next, you need to configure sharing settings. Open the Network and Sharing Center and go to "Change advanced sharing settings." Here you'll be interested in the settings for the current profile (Private network).

• 📡 Turn on network discovery and check the box to automatically configure connected devices.
• 📂 Turn on file and printer sharing.
• 🔒 Disable password-protected access if you want to make it easier to sign in (only for trusted home networks!).

Enabling passwordless sharing significantly simplifies connection, as the system won't prompt you for a username and password when accessing the shared folder from another computer. However, in an office environment or in a busy location, it's best to leave security enabled and create separate users with the same credentials on both computers.

Why can't Windows see other computers?

The problem often lies with the Function Discovery Resource Publication service. If it's stopped, the computer won't advertise itself on the network. Check its status in services.msc and start it if necessary.

Expanding access rights to folders and drives

Once the network infrastructure is set up, you need to determine which resources will be shared. You can share a single folder, an entire drive, or a connected printer. Setting up access rights is a key step in balancing convenience and security.

Select the folder you want to share. Right-click it and select "Properties." The "Sharing" tab is the one you'll be looking for. Here, you can use the sharing wizard for quick setup or access advanced settings for more flexible management.

Access level	Description of features	Recommended use
Reading	The user can only open and copy files.	Exchange of documents, photos, and media
Change	The user can edit, delete and create files	Collaborating on projects
Full access	Full control, including changing access rights	For trusted administrators only

In the advanced access settings, click the "Add" button and enter the name All (or All (in the English version) if you want to grant access to any device on the network. Then select the desired permission levels from the list below. Be sure to click "Apply" and "OK" in all open windows.

It's also important to check the "Security" tab in the folder's properties. Even if everything is clear in "Sharing," restrictions at the NTFS file system level may be blocking access. Ensure that the "Everyone" group or a specific user has read and execute permissions in the list of groups and users.

Connecting to network resources and troubleshooting

Once setup is complete, you can see your computers in the "Network" section of File Explorer. However, sometimes, even with the correct settings, devices don't appear in the list immediately. In this case, a direct connection using the IP address we found in the first step helps.

Open File Explorer and in the address bar, enter two backslashes followed by the IP address of the target computer. For example, if the address of the second computer is 192.168.1.55, then in the line you need to write:

\\192.168.1.55

If the connection is successful, you'll see a list of all shared folders. For easy access, you can right-click the folder and select "Mount as network drive." This will allow the folder to appear in "My Computer" as a separate local drive with its own drive letter.

⚠️ Attention: If the system asks for a login and password when connecting, and you have configured access without a password, try entering the username Guest (or Guest) with a blank password. Also, make sure the time on both computers is set to the same value, as a large time difference can cause Kerberos authentication errors.

A common problem is that your antivirus or firewall is blocking the connection. If all else fails, try temporarily disabling your third-party antivirus on both computers to test. If the network works, add your network connection to your security software's firewall exceptions.

☑️ Network Diagnostic Checklist

IP addresses in the same subnetComputer names are uniqueNetwork profile "Private"Network discovery is enabledThe firewall does not block

Completed: 0 / 5

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why can't computers see each other even though they share WiFi?

Most likely, the network profile on one of the computers is set to "Public." In this mode, Windows blocks discovery. Also, check that the "Function Discovery Resource Publishing" service is enabled and that the DNS service is running.

Is it possible to create a local network without a router?

Yes, you can create a computer-to-computer (Ad-Hoc) network if one of the laptops has a WiFi adapter that supports this feature, or using a direct Ethernet cable connection. However, using a router will provide greater stability and speed.

What is the maximum file transfer speed over WiFi?

Speed ​​depends on the WiFi standard. For 802.11n, it's up to 150-300 Mbps in real-world conditions, while for 802.11ac (5 GHz), it's up to 400-800 Mbps and higher. Actual disk write speeds will be lower due to protocol overhead.

Is it safe to keep folder sharing enabled all the time?

If you're on a home network with a strong WiFi password and the "Private" profile, the risks are minimal. Enabling public access in public places (cafes, hotels) is strictly not recommended, as your files could become accessible to hackers.