If you are trying to link two computers, the easiest method is to join them to the same network. Wired connections using ethernet work best for speed and reliability, but it’s fairly easy to link two devices wirelessly, especially if you have a wireless network available to use.
If you don’t have an existing network , you can create an ad-hoc wireless network, use Bluetooth to connect, or use a portable WiFi router or smartphone to create a temporary network for yourself. If you want to know how to connect two computers wirelessly, here’s what to do.
Join an existing wireless network
If you want to connect two computers networking wirelessly, the easiest method is to use an existing wireless network to make the connection.
While the other methods listed below will allow you to make a connection, they won’t offer the reliability that will of an established network. A network with a dedicated wireless router will offer the best WiFi speeds and range, as well as potential Internet access and access to other devices on a network (such as a network printer).
Once two are joined devices to an existing network, sharing files, playing local games and doing much more is a simple process.
Creating a wireless ad-hoc network
If you don’t have a local network to connect to, you can use your PC’s or laptop’s wireless adapter to create an ad-hoc wireless network. This is a temporary network that uses a built-in WiFi or USB adapter to create a network that other devices can connect to.
- To set up an ad-hoc network in Windows 10, you will need to use Windows PowerShell. To open it, right-click the Start menu and select the Windows PowerShell (administrator) option.
- In the PowerShell open. strong> terminal window, type netsh wlan show drivers. This will display information about your available WiFi devices, including whether they support the ability to create a virtual hotspot. If Supports Hosted Network is listed as no, you may need to update the installed driver or try another device.
- If your device supports it, type netsh wlan sethostednetwork mode=allow ssid=adhoc key=password to create a virtual WiFi network, replacing ssid and key sections with your own preferred network name (ssid) and WiFi network password (key). Once you’ve done that, type netsh wlan starthostednetwork to start the network.
- Assuming there are no errors, the ad-hoc wireless network that you created must be visible to other devices. Connect using the network password you specified to complete the connection.
- If you want to disable the ad-hoc network when finished, type netsh wlan stop hosted network in the opened PowerShell window. Any devices that are currently connected will be disconnected at this point and the ad-hoc network will no longer be visible to other devices.
Once an ad-hoc network has been established, you can use it to share files between devices, or use Internet Connection Sharing to share an existing Internet connection.
Connect two computers wirelessly using Bluetooth
While a WiFi network (permanent or ad hoc) is a great way to connect two computers wirelessly, an alternative is to use Bluetooth to create a connection. While the range and available speeds require both devices to be close, Bluetooth is designed with short-term connections in mind.
To connect two devices wirelessly using Bluetooth, you’ll need to make sure that both devices have bluetooth connectivity. Many modern laptops and PCs come with built-in Bluetooth, but you can use an external USB Bluetooth adapter to make a connection if it’s missing.
- To get started, make sure Bluetooth is turned on for the devices you want to connect . You can do this in Windows 10 by selecting the action center icon in the lower-right corner of the taskbar, then selecting the Bluetooth card to Turn On strong>. strong> position.
- Next, open the Settings menu by right-clicking on the Start menu and selecting the Settings .
- In the Settings menu, go to the Devices > Bluetooth & other devices menu, then select the Add Bluetooth or other device button.
- In the Add a device window, select Bluetooth. option.
- A list of nearby Bluetooth devices will appear in the next menu.Select the other computer you want to connect to to start establishing a connection. You may need to authenticate by typing a PIN code which will be displayed on both screens.
- Once you have established a connection, right-click the icon Bluetooth in the notification area of the taskbar. From the menu, select the option Send a file or Receive a file to send or receive files, or Join a personal area network to Join or create a network share that allows you to share an Internet connection with the other device.
Using Wi-Fi Direct to send files wirelessly
Yes If you are having problems with an ad-hoc WiFi or Bluetooth connection, you can use WiFi Direct to share files. Windows fully supports the WiFi Direct standard, but to make things easier, you’ll need to use a third-party app called Feem to share files and establish connectivity instead.
If you plan to establish a WiFi Direct connection in Windows , you will need to make sure that your WiFi adapter or device on at least one device supports the Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter. If this is not available, you will not be able to create a Wi-Fi Direct compatible network for another PC to connect to.
- To send files using Wi-Fi Direct, download and install Feem for your system Operating Feem is compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS devices.
- Once Feem is installed on your PC or Mac, launch it. In the Feem window, select the Enable Wi-Fi Direct slider to enable the Wi-Fi Direct network.
- On the other device, make sure to connect to the network created by Feem, starting with FeemWiFi (eg, FeemWiFi-EducatedPelican ). Once you are connected, the other devices will appear in the Feem window. Select the other PC in the Feem list, then select the Send File option to send a file to that PC.
- On the other device, the The file that is sent will appear in the Feem chat log. When you select the file, you’ll have options to open or view it in Windows File Explorer.
Create a mobile hotspot using a smartphone or tablet
As Windows’ ad-hoc mode shows, creating a temporary wireless network can be a good way to connect two computers wirelessly for a short period of time, but that depends on whether you have a PC with Windows to do this.
An easier method is to use your smartphone or tablet to create a temporary wireless network. This turns your tablet or smartphone into a wireless router, allowing other types of devices to connect through it for file sharing or an Internet connection.
The benefit of this method is that, By setting up a mobile hotspot, your mobile data connection will be shared with all devices that connect to it. Android devices running Android 2.2 and later, as well as iPhones or iPads running iOS 4.2.5 and later (including iPadOS), can become a mobile hotspot.
- To do this on Android, open the Settings app. The settings menu will vary for different devices and Android versions, but select Network & Internetor Connections > Mobile hotspot and Tethering.
older), tap the Mobile Hotspot option, then tap the slider to the On position. Make a note of the Password or change it, if necessary.
- On iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app. In the menu, tap Cellular data or Personal hotspot (depending on the device), then tap the Personal hotspot slider to Activate position. Make a note of (or change) the Wi-Fi password, as you will need it to connect to your temporary network.
- Once the Wi-Fi network -Fi hotspot is active, connect to the network using the selected password on both devices.
While a mobile hotspot will only be able to connect a small number of devices, it will allow you to connect at least two devices together wirelessly. Once connected, you can use existing services to share files between platforms or use shared services.
Using a portable WiFi router
While a smartphone or a tablet can create a temporary and fast mobile network, a better solution for a larger number of devices is to use a portable WiFi router. These have been designed for simple temporary networking while you’re away from home, but can also be used in everyday use to connect two PCs or laptops.
Devices like the TP-Link WR902AC create a network at the same time. You can connect any WiFi-enabled device.More advanced routers, like the Huawei E5577Cs-321, also include built-in 4G connectivity, providing a dedicated mobile Internet connection for the devices that connect to it.
Most portable routers don’t They require no setup, just plug and play. Others come with a mobile app that can allow for quick setup and control of the device.
Other connection methods
If you’re looking into connecting two computers wirelessly, then the above methods offer your best options, with the ability to share files, Internet connections, games, and more.
If you are trying to link two computers, the easiest method is to join them to the same network. Wired connections using ethernet work best for speed and reliability, but it’s fairly easy to link two devices wirelessly, especially if you have a wireless network available to use.
If you don’t have an existing network , you can create an ad-hoc wireless network, use Bluetooth to connect, or use a portable WiFi router or smartphone to create a temporary network for yourself. If you want to know how to connect two computers wirelessly, here’s what to do.
.