By connecting two laptops over a LAN, you can quickly transfer data between the two computers or play multiplayer games. You can connect two laptops over a local network using a cable or wirelessly.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using a cable (Windows)
Step 1. Find (buy) a network crossover cable
This type of Ethernet cable is used to connect two computers. If you have an older computer, you need to use a crossover cable because regular Ethernet cable does not work on older computers. Keep in mind that a crossover cable looks like a regular cable, so find (buy) a crossover cable (just in case).
Step 2. Plug the cable into the Ethernet port of each laptop
You should hear a click when the cable is properly connected.
Note that some modern laptops do not have an Ethernet connector to make the laptop thinner and lighter. In this case, skip to the next section
Step 3. On both computers, open the Control Panel
This process depends on the version of Windows.
- In Windows 8, press the Win key, which is to the left of the Alt key. Enter "control panel" (hereinafter without quotes), and then click on the icon that appears below the text box.
- In Windows 7 / Vista / XP, press the Win key located to the left of the Alt key. Enter "control panel" and then click the icon that appears below the text box. Or open the Start menu by clicking on the icon in the lower left corner of the screen.
Step 4. Make sure both computers are connected to the same network and workgroup
In the search bar (top right corner) of Control Panel, enter "system". Then click "System". Information about the computer, such as its make, model, and so on, will be displayed.
- Find the "Computer Name, Domain Name, and Workgroup Settings" section. In this section, click Change Settings. The "System Properties" window will open; at the bottom of this window, click Edit.
- Enter the same workgroup name on both computers. The name can be anything, but it must be the same on both laptops.
Step 5. In Windows 8, in the Control Panel window, find and click on "Network and Sharing Center"
This category includes all options for configuring your network connection.
- It may be easier to find this category by typing its name in the search bar (in the upper right corner of the Control Panel window).
- In the Network and Sharing Center window, click Change adapter settings (on the left side of the window).
Step 6. In Windows 7 / Vista / XP, users in the Toolbar window, click on "Network and Sharing Center"
Or find this category by entering its name in the search bar (in the upper right corner of the Control Panel window).
Step 7. In the "Network and Sharing Center" window, click on "Local Area Connection"; in the "Status - Local Area Connection" window that opens, click "Properties"
Step 8. In the "Checked components are used by this connection" section, find and select "Internet Protocol (TCP / I4)"
Then click Properties.
Step 9. In the window that opens, click "Use the following IP address"
This will allow you to enter the IP address manually. On both laptops, enter the following information:
- First laptop
- IP address: 192.168.0.1
- Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
- Default gateway: do not enter anything
- Second laptop
- IP address: 192.168.0.2
- Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
- Default gateway: do not enter anything
Step 10. Click "OK" to apply the changes
Now laptops are connected via a local network using a cable and can exchange files. You may need to restart each computer for the changes to take effect.
Method 2 of 3: Using a wireless network (Windows)
Step 1. On both computers, open the Control Panel
This process depends on the version of Windows.
- In Windows 8, press the Win key, which is to the left of the Alt key. Enter "control panel" (hereinafter without quotes), and then click on the icon that appears below the text box.
- In Windows 7 / Vista / XP, press the Win key located to the left of the Alt key. Enter "control panel" (hereinafter without quotes), and then click on the icon that appears below the text box. Or open the Start menu by clicking on the icon in the lower left corner of the screen.
Step 2. In the search bar (in the upper right corner of the window) enter "Homegroup"
Then click on "Homegroup".
Step 3. In the "Homegroup" window, click the "Create homegroup" button (in the lower right corner of the window)
Note that this button will only be active if the computer is not connected to a homegroup; if not, stay in the current homegroup
Step 4. In the window that opens, click "Next"
This window will display information about the homegroup.
Step 5. Check the types of files you want to share with other computers
You can choose from the following options: Pictures, Documents, Music, Printers, and Videos. Check the boxes next to the required file types and uncheck the boxes that are not needed.
Step 6. Make a note of the password that appears in the next window
This password is entered by other users to connect to the homegroup. Then click Finish.
Step 7. On the second computer, the new homegroup will be displayed in the Homegroup window
Do not create a new group - connect to an existing group and enter the password (when prompted). Now you can exchange files between two computers.
Method 3 of 3: Using a cable (Mac OS X)
Step 1. Find (buy) a network crossover cable
This type of Ethernet cable is used to connect two identical devices. In the case of an old computer, a crossover cable must be used. You can buy this cable from an electronics store or online store. Keep in mind that a crossover cable looks like a regular Ethernet cable, so find (buy) a crossover cable.
Step 2. Plug the cable into the Ethernet port of each laptop
Note that some modern laptops do not have an Ethernet jack, so buy an Ethernet to USB adapter.
You should hear a click when the cable is properly connected
Step 3. On both computers, open the Network window
At the top of the window there are two drop-down menus: "Location" and "Show".
Step 4. Open the Show menu and select Network Port Configuration
In the window that opens, the options "Internal modem" and "Built-in Ethernet" will be displayed. Check the box next to Built-in Ethernet. Click Apply to save your changes.
Step 5. On one computer, open the Sharing window
The computer name and a list of options are displayed at the top of the window.
- Check the box next to Personal File Sharing.
- Below the list of options is an address that starts with "afp". Make a note of this address - it is required so that other computers can connect to the local network.
Step 6. On another computer, open a Finder window
On the menu bar (top) click "Go". In the menu that opens, select "Connect to Server". Or just press ⌘K to open the Connect to Server window.
Step 7. Enter the afp address you wrote down earlier
The list of IP addresses will be displayed in the "Favorite Servers" section. Find the IP address of the other computer, click on it, and then click Connect.
If you don't know the IP address of another computer, read this article
Step 8. By clicking on the "Connect" button, enter your username and password
Enter the same credentials as you enter when you sign in.
Step 9. Select volumes to mount
On the other computer, all files are on different volumes. Mount all volumes at once, if necessary. Or mount only the volume containing the files you want.
Step 10. Now you have access to files on another computer
They can be exchanged between two computers without using external devices.