Buzz
Linking two laptops through a LAN (Local Area Network) provides a swift method to exchange data between the two devices. You can exchange data between two laptops over a LAN, whether using Mac or PC, utilizing either an Ethernet cable or wireless connection. This guide by Mytour demonstrates how to share and access files and folders over a Local Area Network on Mac and PC.
Procedures
Sharing Files and Folders Over LAN on Windows 10
Link both laptops to your network. You can link both laptops via a wireless connection, or you can link both laptops to a LAN port on your modem or router using an Ethernet cable.
Access the Control Panel. Utilize the laptop containing the desired files or folders for sharing. Employ the following steps to access the Control Panel:
- Click on the Windows Start button located in the lower-left corner.
- Type 'Control Panel'.
- Select Control Panel.
Enter Network into the search bar. Locate it in the upper-right corner of the Control Panel window. This will exhibit various network settings options.
Click on Network and Sharing Center. This appears as the green header positioned at the top of your network settings.
Press Change advanced sharing settings. This option is situated within the left sidebar.
Verify that Network Discovery and Printer and File Sharing are enabled. Ensure that both Network Discovery and Printer and File Sharing are activated by selecting the radio button next to 'Turn on network discovery' and 'Turn on printer and file sharing.' These selections are located beneath 'Private' and 'Guest or Public (current profile).'
Click on Save Changes. Located at the bottom of the Control Panel window. This action saves your settings changes.
- If File Explorer isn't visible in the taskbar, click the Windows Start button and type 'File Explorer' to reveal it in the Start menu.
Locate a file or folder you wish to share. You can share files and folders with other computers on your network. Utilize File Explorer to locate a file or folder you want to share. You can access Quick Access folders from the left menu or click a folder in the main window.
Right-click on a file or folder you want to share. This action brings up a menu to the right of the file or folder.
Click on Give access to. Found in the menu that appears when you right-click on a file or folder. This action brings up a sub-menu to the side.
Tap on Specific people. Situated at the base of the sub-menu adjacent to 'Give access to'. This action unveils the Network Access menu.
Press on Share. Located at the base of the Network Access menu. This shares the file or folder across your network and reveals the network address for the folder.
Accessing Shared Files and Folders on Windows 10
Connect both laptops to your network. You can connect both laptops using a wireless connection, or you can connect both laptops to a LAN port on your modem or router using an Ethernet cable.
Click on Network. Located at the bottom of File Explorer in the menu bar on the left. This action reveals shared files and folders on the network.
Input the network address for the computer you wish to access. The network address of the computer should be \\[computer name]. Replace '[computer name]' with the name of the computer you intend to access. It could be either a Mac or a Windows computer.
- The computer you're trying to reach must be powered on, logged in, and connected to the network.
Enter your username and password, then press ↵ Enter. You'll need to input the username and password for the computer you wish to access. Afterward, you'll be able to view all shared files and folders from the other computer.
Sharing Files and Folders via LAN on Mac
Connect both laptops to your network. You can establish connections for both laptops either wirelessly or through a LAN port on your modem or router using an Ethernet cable.
Click on System Preferences…. Located as the second option in the Apple Menu. This action opens the System Preferences window.
Click on Sharing. It features an icon resembling a blue folder with a crosswalk sign on the front.
Click on File Sharing. It's the same option you just selected in the left box. This reveals the File Sharing settings.
Click on + located beneath the 'Shared Folders' box. This box displays all folders you've shared over the network. Click the Plus sign (+) at the bottom to include new folders.
Choose a folder. You can select any of the 'Favorites' folders in the left sidebar or any folder in the Finder window.
Click on Add. Found in the lower-right corner of the window. This action includes the folder in your list of shared folders, accessible over the LAN.
Accessing Shared Folders on Mac
Ensure both laptops are connected to your network. You can establish connections via wireless or by plugging both laptops into a LAN port on your modem or router using an Ethernet cable.
Navigate to Go. This option is available in the top menu bar when Finder is active.
Click on Connect to Server…. This selection is located at the bottom of the drop-down menu under 'Go'.
Input the network address for the desired computer. Typically, the network address for a shared computer is smb://[computer name]. Substitute '[computer name]' with the actual computer name. This could be either a Mac or Windows system.
Tap on Connect. Located at the bottom-left corner of the 'Connect to Server' window.
Provide the username and password for the targeted computer. Once your Mac establishes a connection with the other computer, input the username and password associated with that computer. This allows you to access the Shared files and Folders in the Finder under 'Shared' in the left menu bar.
- If you're accessing a Windows computer, use the email address and password for the user's Microsoft account.
- Ensure the other computer you're accessing is powered on and logged in (not in sleep mode).
Sharing Files and Folders Over a LAN on Windows 8 and Earlier Versions
Connect both laptops to your network. You can establish connections wirelessly or by connecting both laptops to a LAN port on your modem or router using an Ethernet cable.
Access your Control Panel. Follow these steps to access the Control Panel.
- Click the Windows Start button in the bottom-left corner.
- Type 'Control Panel'.
- Click Control Panel.
Enter Homegroup into the search bar. Located in the top-right corner of the Control Panel.
Tap on the HomeGroup section. Identified by the green header adjacent to an icon resembling a blue and green molecule.
- Homegroup functionality is absent in Windows 10.
Click Create a homegroup. Located in the bottom right corner of the window.
- Note: This button will only be active if you're not currently part of a HomeGroup. If you are, exit your current HomeGroup.
Tap Next on the initial window that appears. This window simply provides an overview of HomeGroup functionality.
Select the types of files you wish to share with other computers. Utilize the drop-down menus to indicate 'Shared' next to the desired file categories. Options include: Pictures, Documents, Music, Printers, and Videos. Depending on your preferences, toggle the file categories on or off.
Tap on Next. Found at the bottom-right corner of the screen.
Note down the password. Located at the screen's top. This will serve as the password for other devices to join the HomeGroup. Then, click finish.
Accessing Shared Files and Folders on Windows 8 and Earlier Versions
Connect both laptops to your network. Establish connections wirelessly or by plugging both laptops into a LAN port on your modem or router using an Ethernet cable.
Access the Control Panel. Utilize the laptop containing files or folders you wish to share with another laptop. Here's how to access the Control Panel:
- Click the Windows Start button in the bottom-left corner.
- Type 'Control Panel'.
- Click Control Panel.
Input Homegroup into the search bar. Located at the upper-right corner of the Control Panel.
Tap on the HomeGroup header. Indicated by the green header adjacent to an icon resembling a blue and green molecule.
- HomeGroup functionality is not supported on Windows 10.
Press Join now. Upon encountering a new HomeGroup in the HomeGroup window, select the new HomeGroup and then click Join Homegroup situated at the lower-right corner.
Input the password when prompted. Utilize the password shown on the initial computer.
- Following this, you can utilize the drop-down menus to specify which file types you wish to share across the HomeGroup network.
Press HomeGroup. Found within File Explorer. This reveals user accounts integrated into the HomeGroup network.
Select a username. Choose the Windows username of the individual you wish to access over the network. This will reveal the shared files and folders they have made available across the network.
Double-click on the desired file or folder. This action grants you access to the shared file over the local area network.
Linking Two Connected Laptops to the Same Network
Acquire a network crossover cable. This type of Ethernet cable facilitates the connection between two computers. For older computers, a crossover cable is necessary; a regular Ethernet cable will not suffice. Despite their functional equivalence, the two cables differ aesthetically. To ensure compatibility, consult your store representative and request a crossover cable.
Insert each end of the cable into a network port on each laptop. The network port is typically where you plug in your Ethernet cable. When properly connected, the cable will audibly click into place.
- Keep in mind that some newer laptops lack a network port. Certain laptop manufacturers have opted to omit this port to achieve a slimmer or lighter design. In such cases, you will need to connect your laptops to a wireless network instead.
Access the Control Panel on both computers. Follow these steps to open the Control Panel:
- Click on the Windows Start button in the lower-left corner.
- Type 'Control Panel'.
- Click on Control Panel.
Enter System in the search bar on both computers. The search bar is located in the upper-right corner of the Control Panel.
Click on the System section. This section is distinguished by a green header adjacent to an icon resembling a computer screen. You'll find details about your computer such as Manufacturer, Model, etc.
Scroll down and select Change Settings. Located on the right side of the screen under 'Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings.' This action will prompt a new window titled 'System Properties' to appear.
Click on Change. This option is located at the bottom of the 'System Properties' window. It allows you to view and modify the computer name and workgroup name.
Set the same workgroup name on both PCs. The specific name is not important; what matters is that both computers use identical workgroup names.
Enter Network into the Control Panel search bar on both laptops. You can find this search bar in the upper-right corner of the Control Panel.
- For Windows 7, Vista, and XP Users: Open 'Network Settings' directly from your Control Panel. Look for it in the search box located in the upper right corner of the window.
Access View Network Connections. This option is located beneath the 'Network and Sharing Center' header in the Control Panel.
Right-click on Ethernet. Locate this within your 'Network Connections' window. You may see multiple 'Ethernet' options. Right-click on the one without a red 'x' in the lower-left corner of its icon.
Choose Properties. This option can be found at the bottom of the right-click menu for 'Ethernet'.
Choose Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and then click Properties. Locate 'Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)' and click to select it, then click Properties beneath the list.
Opt for the 'Use the following IP address' option. This enables manual address entry.
Input these values for each PC: Utilize the fields below 'Use the following IP address' to enter the following on both computers. It's crucial that the last number for the IP address differs for both computers.
-
PC 1
- IP Address: 192.168.0.1
- Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
- Default Gateway: Leave this field blank
-
PC 2
- IP Address: 192.168.0.2
- Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
- Default Gateway: Keep this field blank.
Press 'OK' to implement the settings. You should now be able to share files between two computers via your connected LAN cable. You may need to reboot each computer for the changes to take effect.
