How to Connect Windows Devices over Wi-Fi

Most Windows networking guides fail because they rely on the “Network” tab in File Explorer, which is notoriously unreliable. You can spend hours trying to make computers “see” each other and fail.

This guide skips the “visibility” contest and focuses on the direct data connection. It works between Windows 11 Home and Pro without issue.

Prerequisites

• Two laptops connected to the same WiFi network.
• Host Laptop: The one with the files you want to share (e.g., Win 11 Pro).
• Client Laptop: The one accessing the files (e.g., Win 11 Home).

Phase 1: The “Private” Switch (Both Laptops)

Windows defaults WiFi connections to “Public” (hidden/blocked). You must trust the network.

Perform on BOTH laptops:

1. Open Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi.
2. Click on the name of your current Wi-Fi connection (Properties).
3. Under “Network profile type”, select Private network.

Phase 2: Open the Gates (Host Laptop Only)

Configure the laptop that holds the files to allow incoming traffic.

1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings.
2. Click Advanced sharing settings.
3. Expand Private networks and toggle ON:
   • Network discovery (and check “Set up… automatically”)
   • File and printer sharing
4. Expand All networks:
   • Toggle OFF “Password protected sharing” (Unless you want to manually create matching user accounts on both PCs. For home use, turning this off is easiest).

Phase 3: Share the Folder (Host Laptop Only)

1. Right-click the folder you want to share > Properties.
2. Go to the Sharing tab > Advanced Sharing.
3. Check Share this folder.
4. Click Permissions:
   • Highlight Everyone.
   • Check Full Control (to edit/delete remotely) or Read (to only copy files).
5. Click OK > OK > Close.

Phase 4: The Connection (The “Truth” Test)

Do not look for the computer in the “Network” tab. Instead, we will dial it directly.

1. Get the Address (Host Laptop):

• Open Command Prompt (Start > type cmd > Enter).
• Type ipconfig and hit Enter.
• Note the IPv4 Address (e.g., 192.168.1.7).

2. Make the Connection (Client Laptop):

• Open File Explorer.
• Click the address bar at the very top (where it says “This PC” or “Quick Access”).
• Type \\ followed by the IP address.
  • Example: \\192.168.1.7
• Hit Enter.

Success! You should see your shared folder immediately.

Phase 5: Make it Permanent (Map Network Drive)

Typing the IP address every time is annoying. Let’s turn that folder into a permanent “Hard Drive” on your Client laptop.

On the Client Laptop (while looking at the shared folder):

1. Right-click the shared folder.
2. Select Map network drive…
3. Pick a drive letter (like Z:).
4. Ensure “Reconnect at sign-in” is checked.
5. Click Finish.

Now, that folder will appear under “This PC” right next to your C: drive, essentially acting as local storage over WiFi.

Optional (But Recommended): Prevent “Broken Links”

Routers often change IP addresses after a reboot, which breaks the connection we just made. To fix this, set a Static IP on the Host Laptop.

1. Host Laptop: Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > [Connection Properties].
2. Scroll to IP assignment > Click Edit.
3. Select Manual > Toggle IPv4 On.
4. Enter the details found in your ipconfig earlier:
   • IP Address: 192.168.1.7 (The one currently working)
   • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
   • Gateway: 192.168.1.1 (Your router’s IP)
   • DNS: 8.8.8.8 (Google)
5. Click Save.

Now your link is permanent.