Can you connect two laptops with Wi-Fi?

Need to know

• Fast file sharing: You can connect two laptops wirelessly using Wi-Fi Direct, ad-hoc networks, or mobile hotspots.
• Cross-platform options: Windows supports ad-hoc and Wi-Fi Direct connections; Mac users can use AirDrop or Internet Sharing.
• Troubleshooting tip: If laptops can’t detect each other, restart Wi-Fi on both and move them closer together.

Connecting two laptops over Wi-Fi makes it easy to collaborate on projects, share internet access, or transfer files wirelessly. And you don’t have to be a techie to set up the connection on Windows® or Mac® laptops.

At Asurion, we provide the tech help you need to get the most out of your devices. Whether you want to fix a laptop that won’t connect to Wi-Fi or transfer data from an old computer, we’ve got you covered. This guide shows you how to connect two laptops with Wi-Fi.

Set up a connection on Windows laptops

Here’s how to connect two laptops for sharing files or internet access without using a router:

Connection via an ad-hoc wireless network

Not all Windows laptops support ad-hoc networks. To check if yours does—and set one up—follow these steps:

1. On one laptop, type Command Prompt and click Run as administrator > Yes.
2. Type netsh wlan show drivers and press Enter. If Hosted network supported = Yes, your device can create an ad-hoc network. If it’s No, an ad-hoc network isn’t supported.
3. To create the network, type netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=NetworkName key=Password. Replace “NetworkName” with the name you want. Replace “Password” with a password that’s at least eight characters.
4. Type netsh wlan start hostednetwork and press Enter to launch the network.
5. On the second laptop, turn on Wi-Fi, select the network, and enter the password.

Both laptops must support ad-hoc networks.

Connection via Wi-Fi Direct

Both laptops must support Wi-Fi Direct. Here’s how to check if each device has this feature:

1. Search Command Prompt and then click Run as administrator > Yes.
2. Type ipconfid /all and press Enter. If Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Adapter appears on the list, your device supports it. If it isn’t there, your device doesn’t support Wi-Fi Direct.
3. To enable Wi-Fi Direct on supported devices, go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi and turn on Wi-Fi Direct on both laptops. On one of the devices, follow these steps:
4. Open Settings and click Bluetooth & devices > Devices > Add device.
5. Select the other laptop’s PC name to create a Wi-Fi Direct laptop connection.

Connection via mobile hotspot

1. On one laptop, turn on the mobile hotspot and check the network name and password by going to Settings > Network & internet > Mobile hotspot.
2. On the second laptop, open Wi-Fi, select that network, and enter the password to connect.

Set up a connection on Mac laptops

Using Mac devices? You can connect two laptops with Wi-Fi in three main ways (no router needed):

Connection via an ad-hoc wireless network

1. On one of the laptops, click the Wi-Fi icon on the Home screen and select Create Network.
2. Enter your network name and password, then click Create.
3. Open Wi-Fi on the second laptop, search for the network name, then use the password to connect.

Connection via AirDrop

Mac laptops don’t support Wi-Fi Direct. However, they have AirDrop for sharing files between computers. After turning on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on both devices, here’s how to connect them via AirDrop:

1. Go to Finder > AirDrop.
2. Click Allow me to be discovered by, then select Everyone.
3. After following the first two steps on both computers, go to the file you want to share on one of the devices. Right-click it, then select Share > AirDrop > (Name of the second device).

Connection via mobile hotspot

1. On one laptop, click the Apple icon.
2. Go to System Settings > General > Sharing.
3. Turn on Internet Sharing and click the info icon next to it. Below To devices using, choose Wi-Fi and click Done.
4. Set the hotspot name and password, then click OK.
5. On the second laptop, turn on Wi-Fi. Select the hotspot name and enter the password to establish a connection.

Sharing files or resources after connection

On both Windows and Mac, a mobile hotspot connection allows you to directly share internet access between two laptops.

To share files wirelessly via ad-hoc wireless networks and Wi-Fi Direct, you must enable file sharing on the two laptops:

Windows

1. Open Settings on the laptop.
2. Go to Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings.
3. Under Private networks, turn on Network discovery and File and printer sharing.
4. On one laptop, right-click the file you want to share.
5. Go to Give access to > Specific people. Select Everyone, then set permissions before clicking Share.
6. On the second laptop, open File Explorer, click Network in the sidebar, and select the name of the first laptop to view its shared files or folders.

Mac

1. After opening System Settings, go to General > Sharing.
2. Turn on File Sharing.
3. On the second laptop, open Finder. In the sidebar, click Network > (Name of the first Mac) > Connect As to access the shared folders.

Troubleshooting common connection issues

Solve connection issues with these simple fixes:

• If laptops can’t detect each other, restart Wi-Fi on both devices.
• Disable firewalls temporarily to test connectivity.
• Check file sharing permissions and network settings.
• Move laptops closer to reduce interference.
• Update drivers or the operating system if needed.