How to Network Computers: Share Files Between Two Computers

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1

Obtain the necessary equipment to create a computer network. In order to set up a wireless network, you will need internet service, a modem, and a wireless router, or a combination router/modem device which is called a gateway. You may also need 2 or 3 ethernet cables.

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3

Connect the modem to a live internet connection. Your internet service provider will need to install an internet connection at your home or business for you to access the internet. The type of internet connection that’s available depends on your location. The 3 main types of high-speed internet services are cable, DSL, and fiber optic:[1]

• Cable: Cable uses the existing cable television infrastructure to provide cable internet. Connect the coaxial cable that your cable internet service provider installed to the coaxial input on the back of the cable modem or gateway.
• DSL: DSL uses existing phone lines to provide high-speed internet. A DSL modem connects to the internet using a standard phone line. Connect a phone line from a phone jack to the DSL line on the back of the modem.
• Fiber optic: Fiber optic internet is the newest and fastest form of high-speed internet. The infrastructure for fiber optic is not available in all areas. Depending on how the service is installed at your home or business, a fiber optic cable may be installed by your internet service provider which you can connect directly to the modem, or it may be connected to a media converter which then connects to your modem or gateway device using an ethernet cable. Connect the ethernet cable to the internet or WAN port on the back of your router or gateway device.

Your internet service provider will need to install an internet connection at your home or business for you to access the internet. The type of internet connection that’s available depends on your location. The 3 main types of high-speed internet services are cable, DSL, and fiber optic:

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4

Connect the wireless router to the modem. Connect one end of an ethernet cable to the back of the modem. Then connect the other end of the ethernet cable into the internet or WAN port on the back of the wireless router.

• For more information, check out our guides on setting up Wi-Fi and extending a wireless network.
• If you are using a combination router and modem gateway device, you do not need to connect it to any other routers.
• Make sure both your modem and router are plugged in using the AC adapter that came with them.

Connect one end of an ethernet cable to the back of the modem. Then connect the other end of the ethernet cable into the internet or WAN port on the back of the wireless router.

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5

Connect a computer to the wireless router. Use an ethernet cable to connect a computer or laptop to a LAN port on the router.

• Plug in the power source for the modem, then plug in the power source for the wireless router. Wait a few moments for the devices to boot up.

Use an ethernet cable to connect a computer or laptop to a LAN port on the router.

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6

Enter the router’s default IP address in the address bar of a web browser. This opens the login page for the router’s user interface. Check the user’s manual that came with the router, or manufacturer’s web page to find the default IP address. Common IP addresses include 192.168.0.1, and 10.0.0.1

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7

Log in to the router’s user interface. Use the default username and password to log in to the user interface. Consult the user’s manual or manufacturer’s web page to find the default username and password. Common usernames and password are “admin”, “password”, “12345”, or leaving the field blank.

• You can also typically find the router’s default admin username and password on Google by searching for the router model + “admin username” or “admin password.”

Use the default username and password to log in to the user interface. Consult the user’s manual or manufacturer’s web page to find the default username and password. Common usernames and password are “admin”, “password”, “12345”, or leaving the field blank.

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8

Locate the Wireless SSID name and password section. Each router model has a different user interface. You may find the SSID and password field in a menu labeled “Wireless”, “Wi-Fi”, or “Wireless Network.”

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10

Select a security mode for the network. The options typically will be limited to “none,” “WEP”, “WPA”, “WPA 2.” WPA 2 is the option most often recommended because it offers stronger encryption and therefore greater security than WPA.

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11

Enter the password. Enter a password in the field that says “Password”, “Network key”, or something similar. [3]

• This is the password that you and guests will use to log in to the network.

Enter a password in the field that says “Password”, “Network key”, or something similar.

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12

Save your changes. Locate the button to save the changes you have made in the router’s user interface and click the button to save your changes. Your router may need to restart.

• You can later come back to your router’s portal to see who is connected to your network.

Locate the button to save the changes you have made in the router’s user interface and click the button to save your changes. Your router may need to restart.

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13

Connect other devices to your network. Use the following steps to connect other devices to your wireless network:

• Open the network settings menu or click or tap the wireless icon which usually resembles a dot with arching lines over it.
• Select your wireless SSID.
• Enter the wireless password.
• Click or tap Connect.

Use the following steps to connect other devices to your wireless network:

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14

Share items on a local network (Windows). You can share files, folders, and even entire drives! You need to turn on network discovery first:[4]

• Right-click the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray. Select Network & Internet settings.
• Windows 10:
  • Click Network and Sharing Center on the Status page.
  • Click Change advanced sharing settings.
  • Toggle on Network discovery and File and printer sharing.
• Windows 11:
  • Click Advanced network settings, then Advanced sharing settings.
  • Toggle on Network discovery and File and printer sharing.

You can share files, folders, and even entire drives! You need to turn on network discovery first:

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15

Access shared items (Windows). To find files and drives that have been shared on a local network on a Windows computer, follow these steps:

• Press Windows Key + S to open Windows search.
• Search for “View network computers and devices”.
• Click “View network computers and devices”.
• Double-click the computer/device you’re going to access.
• Navigate to the shared item you’re looking for.

To find files and drives that have been shared on a local network on a Windows computer, follow these steps:

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16

Share items on a local network (macOS). Follow these steps to share files, folders, and drives on a Mac by turning on file sharing:[5]

• Go to Apple menu > System Settings in the menu bar.
• Select the General tab in the sidebar.
• Click Sharing in the right side menu.
• Toggle on “File Sharing”.
• Click the info button to the right to add specific items to share.
• Note: The Public folder for each user is shared automatically.

Follow these steps to share files, folders, and drives on a Mac by turning on file sharing:

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17

Access shared items (macOS). To find files and drives that have been shared on a local network on a Mac computer, follow these steps:

• Open a new Finder window.
• Click Shared Folders in the sidebar list.
• Locate the shared item that you want to access.

To find files and drives that have been shared on a local network on a Mac computer, follow these steps: