How-To

Connect Windows 10 to Wired, Wireless and P2P Networks

By Andre Da Costa

Updated March 30, 2024

In this article we take a look at the many options for connecting to Networks, whether it is a peer to peer network, wireless network, or business network.

One of the many activities we use computers for is accessing and consuming information, whether on the Internet or local networks such as an Intranet. This article looks at the many options for connecting to Networks, whether it is a peer-to-peer network, a wireless network, or a business network.

Connecting to Networks in Windows 10

Connecting to the Internet: Wireless & Ethernet

There are many ways to connect to the Internet. Using a wireless network is one of the common ways. Most Wi-Fi networks are secured, meaning you need to have a password to join. Some networks might be unsecured (open) and allow anyone to connect to them (like at a Coffee Shop.) But for secured networks, you’ll need to contact the Network Admin, or at a coffee shop or hotel, the person at the desk – to give you a password.

You can quickly identify a secure network by a shield emblem on the wireless signal, which is also used to indicate its strength. The stronger the signal (defined by brighter radio wave bars), the better. Fewer bars mean a weaker signal. Once you identify a network, you can connect to, select Connect, and enter a password if needed.

Here are some Windows 10 networking status icons and their meaning:

Manage Networks

Depending on the type of network you are connecting to, you might want to manage it. For instance, if you connect to mobile broadband, such as a cellular connection shared as Wi-Fi, you might choose to set it as Metered. Setting as Metered will ensure that an allotted data plan does not get used up immediately. For instance, some network carriers will allow a certain amount of data per month, 2, 3, or 5 GBs. If you are not careful, you can use it up in no time! Setting it as Metered will let Windows 10 disable downloading Windows Updates or app updates which can be quite large. To do that, click Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Advanced Options > enable the Set as Metered Connection on/off switch.

It would be best if you also controlled which background apps have access to your data. I discovered that these could also use up a significant amount of data. Windows 10, by default, runs a lot of apps in the background that sips data, especially notifications used by Action Center. Select Settings > Privacy > Background Apps. Turn off any app you don’t want running in the background. This action will reduce data usage considerably. For more about that, make sure to read our article: How to Limit Windows 10 Data Over a Metered Connection.

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Networks

If you want to set up a P2P network between two or more machines, Windows 10 makes it easy. Setting up a P2P network makes it possible to share data with other PCs or printers via the Internet. In this case, I am using a CAT5 (Ethernet) connection between two computers. To ensure both machines can see each other, you need to ensure both machines are in the same Workgroup. To do that:

Press Windows key+X to bring up the hidden quick access menu, and select System then the Change button. Enter your workgroup name. Repeat the same step on all the computers you intend to network together. Restart when prompted. Make sure both machines are connected.

Launch File Explorer on the Taskbar and click Network. You should see the other computer(s) appear in Network Explorer. If not, you’ll get prompted to Turn on network discovery and file sharing. Depending on the type of network connection, click the appropriate option. Press F5 on your keyboard or the refresh button in the Address bar for the window to populate with available computers and resources.

To access resources on another computer, double-click it. You might be prompted to enter credentials to access the resources of that computer.

Once you have authenticated, you should see all the resources available. In this case, I have a shared folder available called Documents which I can browse.

Connecting to a Business Network: Domains

A Domain-based network provides centralized administration of an entire network from a single computer called a server. Domains provide single-user login from any networked computer. Users can access resources for which they have permission. For more, please read our article: How to Join a Windows 10 PC to a Domain.

Troubleshoot Networking Issues in Windows 10

If you cannot connect to a computer on a network, ensure that appropriate sharing settings are enabled. To do that, right-click your network connection in the Notification Area and click Open Network and Sharing Center. Click Change advanced sharing setting. Make sure to enable these settings for each of the following:

Private –

• Turn on network discovery (check Turn on automatic setup of network connected network devices)
• Turn on file and printer sharing
• Allow Windows to manage homegroup connections

Guest or Public –

• Turn on network discovery
• Turn on file and printer sharing

All Networks –

• Turn on password-protected sharing

Once these are enabled, try browsing again.

Security and Privacy

Keeping a network secure is important. Windows 10 includes a new Setting called Wi-Fi Sense, which lets you share and access networks without any required credentials. Wi‑Fi Sense automatically connects you to Wi‑Fi if one is available so that you can get online quickly in more places. It can connect you to open Wi‑Fi hotspots it knows about through crowdsourcing or to Wi‑Fi networks your contacts have shared with you by using Wi‑Fi Sense.

Here are a few things to know before you get started:

• You need to be signed in with your Microsoft account to use Wi‑Fi Sense.
• Wi‑Fi Sense is available on Windows 10 only.
• Wi‑Fi Sense isn’t available in all countries or regions.

Learn more:

https://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/wi-fi-sense-faq 

How to forget a Wi-Fi Network:

If you have previously connected to networks but would like to forget, you can do so from within Network & Internet (Start > Settings > Manage Wi-Fi Settings.) Click a network and click Forget.

Further reading: https://support.microsoft.com/kb/811259

Unable to access a computer even though you are connected

Sometimes, there might be a conflict on the network; you may need to renew your IP Address because a lease has ended. An IP Address is the name suggested as an address for your computer networks. It provides an easy way for your computer to access the Internet and other computers/resources.

Basics you can try:

• Restart your computer; this can resolve some of the most common network issues.
• Check that the cable is plugged in and secured properly if your connection is via a wired network (Ethernet).
• If you are on a wireless connection, try switching to a wired connection and try connecting again.

Advanced troubleshooting:

Press Windows key + X Click Command Prompt (Admin). At the command prompt, enter the following command, then hit Enter

ipconfig/release

then

ipconfig/renew

then

ipconfig/flushdns

exit the command prompt

If you continue experiencing problems connecting networks or the Internet:

Press Windows key + X click Command Prompt (Admin). At the command prompt, enter the following command, then hit Enter

netsh winsock reset

Hit Enter

Exit command prompt, then restart your computer and try reaccessing resources.