Setting up a network between two Windows 10 computers

Hi all! This article is a logical continuation of the story about creating a home network. Anyone who has not yet read the previous material is strongly recommended to do so.

There we climbed on dusty floors and laid cables. Today, noble work will be on the agenda. Namely, setting up a local network in Windows 7 and 10. Wow, I can’t wait to get started.

So, friends, let's not spend too much time on idle chatter, so let's get straight to the point. We remember that you need to organize a local network in such a way that all computers have the Internet.

To do this, we need to configure the PC network cards according to one template. And in fact, this is a fairly simple procedure. Moreover, this has already been discussed on the blog before. Here is the link to the required publication:

We remember that there are as many as nine machines in our network. It would be logical to assign IP addresses to them in ascending order. That is, the following values will be entered in the settings of the network cards of the first and last computers:

Please note that the first computer has an IP address of “192.168.1.2”. This is done because our scheme already contains , which by default has the address “192.168.1.1”.

That is why this value is indicated in the “Default gateway” field. Thus, each PC is given the opportunity to access the Internet. If this column is left empty, then there will be no access to the Global Wide Web.

It is also important to know that two identical IP addresses should not be on the same local network. Now on Windows 7 and 10 you need to make the following important settings. Go to the “Network and Sharing Center”:

There we go to the “Change additional sharing settings” section:

And in it, for all network profiles, we activate the options shown in the figure below:

After this, be sure to select the “All networks” profile and activate the line “Disable password protected sharing”:

This measure will allow you to gain access to other computers over the network without entering any strange passwords. Now we can say that setting up a local network in Windows 7 and 10 is almost complete. Only a little remains.

The final stage will be to transfer all computers into one workgroup. This will avoid various conflicts and inexperienced users will be less confused when working.

Therefore, now you need to open the “System” tab:

And look at what is indicated in the “Working Group” column:

Usually the default value is “Workgroup”. In principle, let it remain that way. But remember that all computers must have exactly the same group. If you want to rename it, then click “Change settings”.

In the window that opens, select “Change”:

Now you can make the necessary changes:

By the way, pay attention to the “Computer name” field. It is advisable to enter a name in it in Latin that would allow other participants in the local network to understand what kind of computer it is and whose it is.

Well, okay, what’s the need to explain for a long time. We reboot all computers after making the changes and on the desktop click on the “Network” shortcut:

And here they are, our darlings:

Now try to figure out whose computer it is, highlighted in the screenshot above. Well, okay, friends, at this step we can safely say that setting up a local network in Windows 7 and 10 has come to an end.

All that remains is to open shared resources on your PC and you can use it. But we’ll talk about this in detail in the next article. In the meantime, ask your questions in the comments to the article and watch another very cool video.

This article describes how to set up sharing of files and folders without a password on Windows 10.

This instruction will look at the simplest case of setting up shared access to Windows 10 folders. When you need to provide access to Windows 10 shared resources without a password. This is the most common situation in home networks and small office networks. This setting assumes that network access will be without a password, without restrictions.

Note. If you have Windows 10 2017 or 2018 and are experiencing the " Windows 10 does not see other computers on the local network", then read another article -. It describes a solution to the problem of connecting Windows 10 to older versions of Windows. This article may also be relevant for connecting Windows 10 to older versions of Linux.

But at the beginning of a silent theory.

Local and global networks

Today there is only one global computer network, the Internet. Local computer networks differ from global ones in the following factors:

The number of computers connected in this network.
The quantity and quality of resources shared (available) in this network.

The global Internet connects hundreds of millions (possibly more than a billion) computers. These computers provide a large number of different types of resources. The most common of which are text and graphic information. In addition to the information itself on the Internet, it is also possible to process this information - there are services for working with images and documents. Also available on the Internet are services that are not related to computer topics, for example, the sale of goods and services (for example, the sale of tickets for various transport).

A local computer network most often combines from two to several computers. Much less often, the number of computers on a local network can be several tens or hundreds (in large commercial or government organizations). As a rule, only a few resources are distributed on local networks - files, printers, scanners and Internet access.

Computers are physically connected to a network either using a cable or via a radio signal (WiFi). But in any case, setting up a local network is done the same way.

So, what, and in what order, needs to be done in order to configure the Windows 10 network?

Windows 10 sharing without password

This instruction will describe how to set up a Windows 10 network so that shared access to folders (files) and printers is provided without requiring a password. This is a trusted network option. This type of organization of a local computer network is most convenient to use (no need to remember passwords for each computer). Moreover, such a network is easier to create and maintain.

It is best to start setting up a local network by checking the necessary conditions.

Checking local network connection

First, you need to check whether your computer has a local network connection. To do this, you need to open the applet of available network adapters and network connections. The easiest way to open this applet is through the " Execute Windows + R ncpa.cpl and click " OK":

Note: there is a longer way - open "" and click on the link there " Change adapter settings".

This is what the network connections applet looks like:

This example shows that there is a physical network adapter on the computer and there is also a network connection to the local network. This example uses a cable connection to a local network (Ethernet). If connected via WiFi, the adapter will be called "802-11 Wireless Connection".

Possible errors that can be found in the Network Connections applet:

This applet may not contain adapters at all - in this case, you need to check the list of equipment (Device Manager). The network adapter may be disabled or the drivers may not be installed.
The adapter may be crossed out with a red cross. This means that there is no physical connection to the local network. You need to check the cables. In the case of WiFi, this means that the computer is not connected to a WiFi access point (router).
The adapter may have the inscription " Unidentified network". This means that there is a physical connection to the local network, but the computer was unable to receive the settings of this network. Most often this happens if there is no router on the local network and you need to manually specify the local network parameters.

By default, Windows is configured to automatically receive network settings from the network router. If there is a router on the local network, then you just need to plug in a network cable or connect to a WiFi access point. If there is no router on the local network, and this sometimes happens when using small cable networks, then you will need to manually specify the network settings in the properties of the network adapter. More information about manually setting up local network parameters is written in the article “Setting up a network between Linux and Windows”. The setup is described there for Windows XP, but for Windows 10 it will be exactly the same.

The next step is to check the computer name and workgroup. To do this, you need to open the applet " Properties of the system"The easiest way to open this applet is through the dialog box" Execute". It is accessible through the Start menu or by pressing the keys Windows + R on keyboard. In this window write sysdm.cpl and click " OK":

This is what the applet looks like" Properties of the system" (you need to open the tab " Computer name"):

Here you need to check:

Full name- it should not be written in Cyrillic and should not have spaces.
Working group- it should not be written in Cyrillic and should not have spaces. In addition, the workgroup name must match the same name on other computers on the local network. That is, the workgroup name must be the same on all computers on the local network.

If you need to change the computer or workgroup name, click the Change button. After such a change, you will need to restart Windows.

Now you can proceed to setting up the Windows 10 network.

Setting up a Windows 10 network

Open "Windows Explorer" and in it find and open the item " Net". By default, sharing is disabled on Windows 10 and when you open Network, there will be a warning message at the top:

You need to click on this inscription and then select " Enable network discovery and file sharing":

Note: Another way to enable network discovery and file sharing via " Network and Sharing Center"and then click on the link" More sharing options" and then open the desired profile.

After that "Windows Explorer" will prompt you to select a network type, where you need to select the first option:

Note: if you later need to change the network type - instructions in the article "Change network type Windows 10".

After that "Windows Explorer" will show a list of computers on the local network:

You can now log into the shared folders on these computers.

The next step is to configure Windows 10 folder sharing.

How to set up folder sharing in Windows 10

IN "Windows Explorer" Locate the folder you want to share. Right-click on this folder and select " Properties" (in this illustration the folder is called lan):

Note: The folder name must be in Latin and without spaces.

In the folder properties window, you need to open the " tab Access"and then press the button" General access":

In the next window, you need to open the list of local users (accounts on this computer) and select “All” from this list:

After that, click the "Add" button:

After this, you need to specify read and write access rights for the “Everyone” group:

After this, you need to click the “Finish” button:

After this, the window will open again" Folder properties". In it you can check the tab " Safety"there should be full access for the group" All" (Windows automatically changes NTFS file system permissions):

That's it, setting up access to a specific folder is complete. If you want to share another folder, these steps must be repeated for each one.

Note: There is no need to share individual files. All files that are in the shared folder will be accessible over the network. All will also be available online nested folders.

One last step left...

Need to open" Network and Sharing Center" and on the left side click on " Change advanced sharing options":

In the next window you need to open your profile " All networks":

And there disable the parameter " shared access with password protection" and of course click the "Save changes" button:

This completes setting up network access without a password for Windows 10. Now you can log into this computer via the local network and Windows will not require you to enter a password.

To check, let's go to a Windows 10 computer from a Windows XP computer:

The shared folder "lan" opens and you can edit and create files in it via the local network.

But if, nevertheless, Windows requires a network password

Despite the fact that the settings described above have been made, when you log into this computer, another computer may request a network password. This is possible in two cases.

Local users with the same name (login)

Both computers have local users with the same name but different passwords.

Example. There are Comp1 and Comp2. Each of them has a user named User. But on Comp1 the user's password is 123, and on Comp2 his password is 456. When trying to log in to the network, the system will ask for a password.

Solution. Or remove matching user logins. Or for users with the same login, specify the same password. An empty password is also considered the same.

There are no local users on Windows 10

On Windows 10, you can log in and work with a Microsoft account if you have Internet access. At the same time, it is possible that when installing Windows 10, a local user was not created at all (the login was via a Microsoft account). In this case, Windows will also require a password when logging in via the local network.

Solution. Create a local user on your Windows 10 computer.

If there are old computers on your local network

If there are computers on your local network running older versions of Windows or Linux, then you may encounter a problem where Windows 10 does not “see” such computers.

The reason may be that in the latest versions of Windows 10, support for the SMB version 1 protocol has been disabled. How to enable support for SMB version 1 is written in the article Local network between Windows 10 and Windows XP.

Unshare a Windows 10 folder

On Windows 10, canceling sharing is not at all obvious (unlike Windows XP). On the "tab" Access"(folder properties) there is no option, as there was in Windows XP. It is useless to click the "Sharing" button; you cannot cancel sharing there.

Now, to cancel sharing, you need to go to the " Access"press button" Advanced setup":

And disable access there (uncheck the “Share this folder” option):

As they say, “guess three times.”

Share a Windows 10 folder through the command line

Everything can be done much faster if you use the command line (console, cmd.exe). There are only two teams:

net share lan=c:\lan

net share lan /delete

The first command shares the folder c:\lan and sets a network name for it lan.

The second command deletes the network (public) folder lan. Real folder c:\lan Of course it stays in place.

Share Windows 10 files using the Shared Folders snap-in

The Windows 10 management toolkit includes a special program (snap-in) for managing shared resources on your computer. It's called "Shared Folders" and you can run it with the command fsmgmt.msc(in the console or via Win + R):

Alternatively, this snap-in can be opened through the Start menu: "Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Computer Management - Shared Folders."

Windows 10 Printer Sharing

Printer sharing is configured in the same way as for a folder. You need to open the “Devices and Printers” applet, find the desired printer there, open its properties and on the “Access” tab define the network access parameters.

Setting up a local network for other operating systems

If you live in Krasnodar and you need to set up a local network in Windows

Ivan Sukhov, 2017, 2019 .

If you found this article useful or simply liked it, then do not hesitate to financially support the author. This is easy to do by throwing money at Yandex Wallet No. 410011416229354. Or on the phone +7 918-16-26-331 .

Even a small amount can help write new articles :)

Just 5 years ago, organizing a local connection between several computers meant purchasing special equipment (switches or hubs), which had to be configured and prepared for the successful functioning of the network. Today, when almost every apartment has a router, or router, with the help of which wired or wireless communication is organized between a number of systems, the need to buy third-party equipment has disappeared by itself, since if you set up communication between computers, it becomes possible to organize file exchange, including with using a local connection.

Why is a local network needed at all? In such a network it is possible share movies, music, pictures, play 3D games with live opponents. All these features together make up an excellent tool for organizing and setting up a connection, and the very possibility of playing with real people in multiplayer immediately reduces all the time and moral costs of customizing the connection, as well as the dissatisfaction from the appearance of possible pop-up pitfalls during setup, to nothing.

In this material I will tell you how to generate and tune a wired/wireless connection between several nodes on a local network, and what is needed for this.

A prerequisite for organizing a local connection in Windows 10 via a router is already. This article does not cover setting up the router, since we have already described the setup process in a separate article (link above). We will assume that your router is working properly and stably, and there are no problems (such as periodic loss of connection or communication interruption). Also, using the instructions provided, you can organize a wired connection bypassing Wi-Fi.

Setting up a local network connection - detailed instructions

The first thing we need to do is join all the computers on the network to one workgroup. To see which workgroup your selected PC belongs to, right-click on the “Start” button and select “System” in the pop-up menu.

In the system properties form that opens, click the “Change settings” button in the section where the name of the computer and the domain to which this node belongs is indicated. The “Computer name” tab opens, where, among other information, there is information about the workgroup.

As you can see, my PC belongs to the “WORKGROUP” group. An alternative way to get to the same form is to use the “Win + R” key sequence and enter the command sysdm.cpl. As a result, you will also be taken to the same form.

What if the workgroup names are different on different computers, and you need to change the group on one or more of the selected machines? On the same form, click the “Change” button and in the new form that opens, enter the group name we need.

When entering the name of a working group, do not use the Cyrillic alphabet; use only Latin characters.

Here we check the option “View task and network status” in the “Internet and network connection” category.

In the form that opens, open the “Change additional sharing settings” subsection.

Enable the OS to manage workgroup connections, printer and file sharing, automatic configuration, and PC discovery on the network.

Select the “All network connections” section and there check the “Disable password protected sharing” option. After that, save all changes by clicking on the save button.

Do the same operations on all systems that you want to connect to the local network, after which we can move on.

How to set up access to file objects and directories on a PC

To organize general access to a folder on the network, you need to right-click on the corresponding directory and select “Properties”, then click on the “Access” tab and then “Advanced settings”.

To open general type access to the directory, check the box to open access to the general type directory and click the “Permissions” button. Here, select those users for whom you want to provide access, and indicate what kind of access you want to give. The most preferable option is “Read Only”, since if you open access to other users for changes, in the near future you may be missing several dozen files in your directory.

Now go to the “Security” tab in the directory properties and for the “Everyone” user set access only to read the contents of the directory and to run files in the specified folder, so that you can watch movies on any computer with a local connection, without first copying them to your PC . To change permissions, click the "Edit" button for the corresponding user.

Now, if you did everything correctly, the folders you shared will be visible on other computers connected to a single local network.

This way, you can freely use shared resources stored on other PCs, thereby saving valuable disk space without duplicating the same files on multiple nodes. Using a local connection is incredibly convenient, and I hope you will also appreciate all the advantages and benefits of this approach to storing and using data.

July 01, 2017

So, what, and in what order, needs to be done in order to configure the Windows 10 network?

Windows 10 sharing without password

How to set up a Windows 10 network so that shared access to folders (files) and printers is provided without requiring a password. This is a trusted network option. This type of organization of a local computer network is most convenient to use (no need to remember passwords for each computer). Moreover, such a network is easier to create and maintain.

It is best to start setting up a local network by checking the necessary conditions.

Checking local network connection

A longer way: open "" and click on the link there" Change adapter settings".

This is what the network connections applet looks like:

This figure shows that there is a physical network adapter on the computer and there is also a network connection to the local network. This example uses a cable connection to a local network (Ethernet). If connected via WiFi, the adapter will be called "802-11 Wireless Connection".

Possible errors that can be seen in the Network Connections applet:

This applet may not contain adapters at all - in this case, you need to check the list of equipment (Device Manager). The network adapter may be disabled or the drivers may not be installed.
The adapter may be crossed out with a red cross. This means that there is no physical connection to the local network. You need to check the cables. In the case of WiFi, this means that the computer is not connected to a WiFi access point (router).
The adapter may have the inscription " Unidentified network". This means that there is a physical connection to the local network, but the computer was unable to receive the settings of this network. Most often this happens if there is no router on the local network and you need to manually specify the local network parameters.

This is what the applet looks like" Properties of the system" (you need to open the tab " Computer name"):

Here you need to check:

Full name- it should not be written in Cyrillic and should not have spaces.
Working group- it should not be written in Cyrillic and should not have spaces. In addition, the workgroup name must match the same name on other computers on the local network. That is, the workgroup name must be the same on all computers on the local network.

If you need to change the computer or workgroup name, click the Change button. After such a change, you will need to restart Windows.

Now you can proceed to setting up the Windows 10 network.

Setting up a Windows 10 network

Open "Windows Explorer" and in it find and open the item " Net". By default, sharing is disabled on Windows 10 and when you open Network, there will be a warning message at the top:

You need to click on this inscription and then select " Enable network discovery and file sharing":

Note: Another way to enable network discovery and file sharing via " Network and Sharing Center"and then click on the link" More sharing options" and then open the desired profile.

After that "Windows Explorer" will prompt you to select a network type, where you need to select the first option:

Note: if you later need to change the network type - instructions in the article "Change network type Windows 10".

After that "Windows Explorer" will show a list of computers on the local network:

You can now log into the shared folders on these computers.

The next step is to configure Windows 10 folder sharing.

How to set up folder sharing in Windows 10

IN "Windows Explorer" Locate the folder you want to share. Right-click on this folder and select " Properties" (in this illustration the folder is called lan):

Note: The folder name must be in Latin and without spaces.

In the folder properties window, you need to open the " tab Access"and then press the button" General access":

In the next window, you need to open the list of local users (accounts on this computer) and select “All” from this list:

After that, click the "Add" button:

After this, you need to specify read and write access rights for the “Everyone” group:

After this, you need to click the “Finish” button:

That's it, setting up access to a specific folder is complete. If you want to share another folder, these steps must be repeated for each one.

Note: There is no need to share individual files. All files that are in the shared folder will be accessible over the network. All will also be available online nested folders.

One last step left...

Need to open" Network and Sharing Center" and on the left side click on " Change advanced sharing options":

In the next window you need to open your profile " All networks":

And there disable the parameter " shared access with password protection" and of course click the "Save changes" button:

This completes setting up network access without a password for Windows 10. Now you can log into this computer via the local network and Windows will not require you to enter a password.

To check, let's go to a Windows 10 computer from a Windows XP computer:

The shared folder "lan" opens and you can edit and create files in it via the local network.

But if, nevertheless, Windows requires a network password

Despite the fact that the settings described above have been made, when you log into this computer, another computer may request a network password. This is possible in two cases.

Local users with the same name (login)

Both computers have local users with the same name but different passwords.

Solution. Or remove matching user logins. Or for users with the same login, specify the same password. An empty password is also considered the same.

There are no local users on Windows 10

Solution. Create a local user on your Windows 10 computer.

Unshare a Windows 10 folder

Now, to cancel sharing, you need to go to the " Access"press button" Advanced setup":

And disable access there (uncheck the “Share this folder” option):

As they say, “guess three times.”

Share a Windows 10 folder through the command line

Everything can be done much faster if you use the command line (console, cmd.exe). There are only two teams:

net share lan=c:\lan

net share lan /delete

The first command shares the folder c:\lan and sets a network name for it lan.

The second command deletes the network (public) folder lan. Real folder c:\lan Of course it stays in place.

Share Windows 10 files using the Shared Folders snap-in

Alternatively, this snap-in can be opened through the Start menu: "Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Computer Management - Shared Folders."

Windows 10 Printer Sharing

How to properly connect and configure the Internet on personal computers with the Windows 10 operating system is the topic of the article. It will be especially useful for unprepared users who have updated their PC to the latest version, but still have not understood all the intricacies of the settings. Some users do not know where and what is configured to connect to the Internet, while for others it does not work at all, even with the parameters set correctly.

You will learn four different connection methods - standard Ethernet network, high-speed PPPoE connection, wireless connection, Wi-Fi technology, and modems.

So, how to set the correct parameters, or configure the connection again if the Internet is not connected.

There are several ways to connect your computer to the global network. You will learn about four basic connections:

About a standard Ethernet connection that is connected using a cable. This uses a direct connection, modem technology or a router.
About a high-speed connection that supports the PPPoE tunneling protocol.
About wireless, Wi-Fi, technology.
About connecting to the Internet using 3G/4G USB modems.

So, what is each connection and are there any subtleties in its settings. The first method, an Ethernet connection, is the most common.

Ethernet: connecting to the Internet in Windows 10 via a network cable (router, modem)

Ethernet, a packet data technology, is called the simplest connection. Internet service providers install network cables into homes and connect individual apartments. With this connection, the Internet can be connected directly or through a router or ADSL modem. This is the same Internet connection, but connected using different devices. To be more precise, a network cable is used everywhere, only the connection method is different - direct or through special devices for packet data transmission.

To set up an Ethernet connection, connect the cable from your router, modem, or service provider to your personal computer into the special connector for network cards:

With the correct settings, the connection will occur automatically, and you do not need to enter any passwords or logins: they are absent in this connection. If the connection status changes in the notification panel, it means the Internet is working. What to do if the network cable is connected normally, but the computer does not see it? You need to look for the reason in the drivers for the network card.

This is a common problem after a system update. The driver for the card is installed automatically during the update by the OS itself, but for some reason it does not work. And you can solve the problem by installing the correct driver. To do this, you need to download it from the official page, selecting your PC model, and install it on your device.

Now, what should you do if, after connecting the cable, the connection is activated, but its status is “ Limited"? The reasons may be hidden in incorrect parameters of the Ethernet adapter.

To check that the settings are correct and set the desired parameters, do the following:

If all parameters are correct, the Internet connection status will be active. If the status does not change, try rebooting. If even after a reboot the network is not found, not recognized, or is limited, make sure that the network cable, router, or modem is connected correctly. Also contact your service provider's technical support - the problem may be on their side.

If you connect without routers and modems, that is, directly, check with your provider for the terms of provision of Internet services. You may need to bind your Internet connection to the MAC address of your network card. If this is so, then after binding, your Internet will work immediately.

Setting up a high-speed connection (PPPoE) in Windows 10

PPPoE or high-speed connection differs from Ethernet in just a few nuances. Internet service providers also install cables into homes and connect individual apartments. But to connect to the Internet in this case, you will need a password, login and possibly some additional settings on your PC or router if wireless technology is used. But this is not the most important thing. For the Internet to work, you need to connect it, that is, first create a connection, and only then enter logins and passwords.

If you use a router with configured connections (including PPPoE) to connect to the Internet, you do not need to change any settings on your PC. Simply connect the cable to the device and configure it as you would with an Ethernet connection.

If you connect to the network directly via cable, without devices, and with a password and login, you must first create this connection.

To create a connection, do the following:

Click on the icon and delete, change connection parameters, etc.

Internet connection via Wi-Fi

If you have a Wi-Fi router, you can connect to the Internet using wireless technology. You can also connect your PC to the network of friends and other places where there is free access. The first thing to do when using this internet connection is to check the driver. If it is installed, the system usually does this automatically, open available networks, select your Wi-Fi and enjoy the connection. Well, perhaps you will first have to enter a password if there is protection.

Connecting via wireless, Wi-Fi, technology on Windows 10 is easy.

Setting up the Internet via a 3G/4G modem in Windows 10

And finally, the fourth method of Internet connection, which uses 3G/4G modems (3rd and 4th generation of mobile communications). The first step is to connect the modem to the computer. But for the device to work, a working and suitable driver must be installed for it.

It is better to download drivers from official resources - it is more reliable. This is the case if you did not find a disk with them in the box with the modem. When searching for a driver, focus on the modem model. If it has not yet been released by the manufacturer for Windows 10, download it for other versions of the OS. Should come up.

The modem is connected, the driver is installed and the setup begins. Looking ahead: the connection is configured in almost the same way as high-speed PPPoE Internet.

So do this:

If the parameters are set correctly, you will see the connection created and activated. If not, the settings may be incorrect or the modem is not properly connected to the PC. If this does not help, contact technical support for clarification. If coverage is poor and the signal level is weak, the Internet will be slow or not work at all. Sometimes increasing the signal level helps, but it is best to worry about buying an antenna for the modem.

The connection you created can be edited, deleted, etc. To change settings and other actions, click on its icon.

There is an icon for your connection in the notification panel. Monitor its status, stop, reconnect, set new parameters if necessary, etc.

This is how you can easily and quickly connect and configure the Internet on Windows 10.

And a few more words

Now, by connecting your computer/laptop to the Internet, you can turn it into a Wi-Fi router and distribute the Internet to peripheral devices - other PCs, smartphones, tablets. In this case, you do not need to buy special equipment for this. All you need is to create an access point on your computer using one of the free specialized utilities. . Even an untrained user can understand it.

You connected via cable or wireless network, setting the correct settings, but the Internet did not work, and you see a notification and a yellow exclamation mark? This error is common on personal computers with Windows OS, both in the new version and on old ones.

Seal