Setting up a LAN (Local Area Network) connection is like building a secret passage for your data—it’s all about simplifying the sharing game! Imagine your files zipping through the digital cosmos at warp speed, from documents to your favorite tunes and movies, all seamlessly hopping between computers.
But wait, there’s more! LANs aren’t just for file-sharing; they’re the gateway to epic multiplayer gaming. Picture this: connecting your PCs, initiating a LAN party, and diving headfirst into multiplayer bliss. It’s not just gaming; it’s a bonding experience!
Now, for the grand reveal—how do you make this magic happen? Fear not, my friend, for this tutorial will guide you through the labyrinth of LAN setup using a modem or router. And guess what? I’ve got a trick up my sleeve to connect two computers sans modem or router, using just one mighty Crossover Ethernet Cable.
Stay tuned for a step-by-step journey through both methods. Whether you’re a modem-router guru or a cable-wielding wizard, I’ve got you covered. Let’s make LAN setup a piece of cake!
So, Let’s See How To Create A LAN Connection
First things first: make sure all your computers are on the same network. Whether they’re hooked up with cables or surfing wirelessly, they’ve got to be part of the same gang. Why? So they can chat, swap files, and hang out together without any hassle.
And if you’re hooking up just two computers, you’ll need this special cable called a Crossover RJ45. Now, it might look like any ol’ normal RJ45 Ethernet Cable, but it’s got a neat trick up its sleeve.
Usually, when you’re connecting different devices, like a modem to a computer or a router to a computer, you use a straight Ethernet cable. But when it’s the same kind of device, like router to router, computer to computer, or hub to hub, you need a crossover cable. Why? ‘Cause they’re wired up differently inside.
Let’s peek inside these cables and check out their wire colors:
Got a spare straight cable lying around? Well, you can make it work like a crossover cable with a cool converter adapter! This nifty gadget transforms your regular cable into a crossover one, so you can hook up similar devices without a hitch.
RJ45 Crossover Cable Starts From: @Amazon US ($5.99), @Amazon UK (£4.99), @Amazon IND (₹99.00), @Walmart US ($6.99), @Newegg ($9.99).
RJ45 Crossover Adaptor Starts From: @Amazon US ($5.99), @Amazon UK (£5.99), @Amazon IND (₹229.00), @Walmart US ($9.99), @Newegg ($7.99).
Step 1: Configure IP Settings
Once everything’s plugged in, it’s time to set up the IP addresses on each computer in the gang. To do this, head over to the “Network and Sharing Center” in the Control Panel. Or, just type it into the Start Menu search bar to find it.
This magical setting lets you tweak your network stuff, like setting up special addresses for each computer. It’s like giving each friend in your group a unique phone number so they can all chat together.
Method 1 – For Connecting Only Two Computers Via Crossover Cable
- Go to “Change Adapter Settings” from the left-side menu.
- Right-click on your “Local Area Connection” or Ethernet Adapter and pick “Properties” to open its settings.
- Find and choose “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and hit the “Properties” button.
- A box called “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties” will pop up. Now, it’s time to punch in those special numbers. For the first computer, type “192.168.1.10” in the IP address box and “255.255.255.0” in the Subnet Mask box. Hit “Ok” when you’re done.
- Now, for the second computer, tap in “192.168.1.20” in the IP address box and “255.255.255.0” in the Subnet Mask box, as you can see in the example picture given below.
These steps make sure both computers get their own special address within the gang, so they can all chat and play nice together!
Method 2 – For Connecting Multiple Computers Via Modem Or Router
- Find your router/modem’s gateway IP address. Here’s how: a. Open “Network and Sharing Center” and click on your connected network (like Wi-Fi or Ethernet). b. Hit “Details” to see all the network info, including the “default gateway IP” from your router/modem. Remember this number.
- Now, let’s tweak some settings: a. Go back to “Change Adapter Settings” in the “Network and Sharing Center”. b. Right-click on your connection (Local Area, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi) and choose “Properties”.
- Pick “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and hit “Properties”.
- Here’s the magic moment:
- For the first computer:
- Put that Default Gateway IP address you noted into the “Default gateway” box. For example: “192.168.1.1″
- Enter “255.255.255.0” in the Subnet Mask box.
- Pop in “192.168.1.10” in the IP address box. Therefore, when the Default Gateway IP is “192.168.0.1”, setting the IP address to “192.168.0.10” ensures that the device is on the same network (192.168.0.x) as the gateway (192.168.0.1)
- In the DNS Server boxes, type “8.8.8.8” as the Preferred and “8.8.4.4″ as the Alternative.
- Click “Ok” to seal the deal.
- For the first computer:
- For the rest of the gang:
- Change the IP address but keep everything else the same as the first computer. For example:
- Second computer: “192.168.1.20”
- Third computer: “192.168.1.30”
- And so on… Keep that same Default Gateway, Subnet Mask, and DNS Server info.
- Change the IP address but keep everything else the same as the first computer. For example:
This setup gives each computer a special address in the same club, making sure they can all chat and play nice without causing any ruckus. Cheers to a smooth network ride!
Step 2: Change Sharing Permission Setting On Every Computer
To adjust the sharing settings and permit access rights among your computers, follow these steps:
- Open Advanced Sharing Settings: Within the Network and Sharing Center, locate and select the “Advanced sharing settings” option from the sidebar. This will display your computer’s network-sharing settings.
- Adjust Sharing Settings: In the Advanced Sharing Settings window, modify your network settings to match the following options:
- Enable “Turn on network discovery” to allow your computer to find other devices on the network.
- Enable “Turn on file and printer sharing” to grant access to shared files and printers.
- Choose “Allow Windows to manage homegroup connection (recommended)” for efficient management of homegroup connections.
- Enable “Turn on sharing so anyone with network access can read and write files in the public folders” to allow access to files in public folders.
- Opt for “Use 128-bit encryption to help protect file sharing connections (recommended)” to enhance security for file sharing connections.
- Disable “Turn off password protected sharing” to enable access without requiring passwords for shared resources.
Make sure these changes happen for all network types—Private, Guest, and All Networks.
Step 3: Change Workgroup Setting On Every Computer
Think of the workgroup setting as a team jersey for your computers in the network. When you put them in the same workgroup, they all wear the same jersey number, making it super easy for them to talk, share stuff like folders and printers, and hang out together.
- Open System Properties: Press the Windows key + Pause Break Key on your keyboard to open the System Properties window.
- Access Workgroup Settings: In the System Properties window, click on “Change settings” in the workgroup settings category.
- Change Computer Name: Click on the “Change” button to modify your computer’s name and workgroup settings. Now, type “WORKGROUP” in the ‘Workgroup:’ field and click “Ok”.
- Access Network ID Settings: Now, click on “Network ID” to further configure network settings.
- Select Network Configuration: Choose “This computer is part of a business network; I use it to connect to other computers at work”. Then on the following page, select “my company uses a network without a domain”.
- Specify Workgroup Name: Type “Workgroup” when prompted for “type your computer’s workgroup name”.
- Finish Setup: Click “Finish” to complete the setup.
- Restart: Restart your computers to apply the changes.
Remember to follow these steps on every computer within the network to ensure they are all set to the same workgroup. This will allow for seamless communication and resource sharing across the network.
Step 4: At Last, Turn On Drive Or Folder Sharing
Once you’ve set up everything, you’ll find all your computers in the Windows Network. To share a drive or folder with the gang, it’s easy—just tweak some settings in that drive or folder properties.
Just follow these steps:
- Right-click on the drive or folder you want to share and pick “Properties”.
- Click on the “Sharing” tab in the window that pops up.
- Hit the “Advanced Sharing” button for more sharing options.
- Tick the box that says “Share this folder” to share that drive or folder with your network friends.
- If you want, click on “Permissions” to set who can do what with the shared stuff.
- Check the box for “Full control” if you want everyone to have complete access.
- Click “OK” in the Permissions window to save the changes.
- Finally, click “OK” in the Properties window to apply the sharing settings.
That’s it! Your drive or folder is now all set to be shared within your Windows network.
Sometimes, even after sharing, you might face issues—like not being able to open shared stuff or getting requests for extra permissions. If that happens, there’s another guide that can help fix these hiccups. It shows you how to sort out network errors, giving your computer the right permissions to read and write files in the shared stuff.
Just follow this article: How to Fix the Network Error “Windows Cannot Access \\ Computer Name”?
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Very Good tutorial. Even a beginner can set up his network by following the step-by-step method shown in this tutorial. Thanks for sharing with everyone.
One problem occurred with us that on one PC we are having Windows-7 home Premium. Which does not support to edit network ID so we are unable to access files of other PCs from it although we can access the shared files of this PC from any other location.
That’s a problem with our OS.
thanks for your wonderful feedback manish,
you can try this to fix that problem
http://www.deskdecode.com/fix-network-error-windows-cannot-access-computer-name/
This particular article has been so help full to me
Thank you so much for this post, you have helped me greatly.
Thank you,but when we create LAN of two computers .then how to send file from one computer to other ..
Thank you for the precise and very clear instructions here and indeed in all your articles. You are doing great work for the uneducated, keep it up and have a great day.
Great Information website helping many people. Thank you
Good tutorial very easy to understand
Thank you 🙂
thank you you doing really great job
what is the computer name should be.. it’s not clear
I re-edit it, and now you can understand it easily. 🙂
thanks
Nice words Mr.Mahur. Very much usefull for all employees who are facing the connection issues Great work..
thanks
they help ful me
awesome notes about LAN
Thanks that what I was looking for
But I faced a problem when I connected my tow pc
(PC1&PC2)
Pc1 connect with printer and sharing it
Pc2 connect to internet by wifi and sharing it
I setup sharing for all drivers in both pc
When i used pc1 I can’t access to pc2 or access to the internet.
When I used pc2 l can access to all pc1’s drivers and the printer
….how can I have to access pc2 from pc1
And connect to Internet.
What method did you use to share the internet?
SAME here , how can I have to access pc2 from pc1 ?
This is a very important article on users interest.
hello.i want to connect my laptop to pc.both has differnet windows.i want to play age of empire.how to play
I have a router, do I still need to buy crossover cable or should I use standard cable.
Yes.
Is there a way I can connect a PC using desktop wired connection to laptop using wifi connection? I am so confused as whatever solution is used / given by others. It is not working. I am using desktop Windows 7 with Laptop windows 7 (laptop is macbook using parallels software)
thanks a million, this really work for me well on window 7 and window 8 but on laptop.
But I faced a problem when I am connected my tower computer running on window 7 and window 10 Home.
PC1 is window 7 & PC2 is window 10
Pc1 which is win7 connect and show p2 Network and view all the fill share why Pc2 on win 10 could not show pc 1 on widow 7.
please what can i do or where did i miss or where is the error is coming. i use and following the instruction carefully.
I think you missed something, make sure you properly configure the configuration in both computers. You can start to check from the Sharing configuration.
Simply connect the two LAN cable in both of your pc. Then open the control panel and then open network sharing center from there edit the IP make give a random IP address with same subnet mask and gateway.
It is one of the easiest task when you are using a LAN. Two computers can get the internet access easily by connecting them to the LAN through cables. Then you can easily go to the settings or control panel and change the adapter settings which will get the device connected with LAN and have the internet connection on it.
one limitation of note: one currently must (or I did, at least) disable virtualization in bios for 17074 and the prior build (17063, I think) to boot. I usually have a linux VM running, but WSL has come far enough now that I think a VM won’t be necessary for me. I’m finding myself in the awkward position of liking windows. It’s very confusing.
You really described very well that how we can setup two computers via LAN in windows for sharing. Keep updating this type of blog post.
It really helped me in sharing data between my two computers. Keep writing articles like this.
Amazing blog it was helpful for me. Thanks for the post. You explained all useful points in this article.
Thanks, but when we make LANs of two computers How to send files from one computer to another.
Great article. I love it.
Really helpful Article.
Helpful article, I love it.
Helpful article, I love it. Though I had problems with assigning of IP address with My PC (PC1 and PC2) at the first place I was still able to after several attempts.
Thanks for the awesome article about this. I love it.
hi can anyone tell. I have one computer having two lan cards. so we have connected two different networks in same computer.
so my requirement is both the networks work on this pc. and I have to share the files from that computer to other computer which is on the second network