How to create local area connection in windows 7

When all computers are able to network to each other on the network, continue with the next step to enable Internet access and the firewall. Step 5: Enabling Internet access and firewall for a local network Once you have verified that your home network is capable of transferring files, connect and enable Internet connections for computers with Internet access. At the minimum, each computer should have its Internet connection protected with a firewall and Windows should be updated with the latest critical updates from Microsoft Windows Update.

If malicious activity comes though one computer, the activity can quickly spread through the entire network. Accessing shared files and directories in Windows 7 Do the following to access shared files and directories in a local network:. Ensure network discovery and file sharing is turned On. Figure : Network and Sharing Center.

The Network window opens and displays computers with shared folders that are detected on local networks. Figure : Computers on the network with shared folders. Figure : Cannot access PC. Password Protection is On and the Guest account is On.

The account does not have permission to access the share. This typically occurs when specific permissions are set up on systems with multiple share folders. The account has the proper permissions to access the computer. Make sure that Firewall software on any connected computer is set to allow access. Select a location. Europe, Middle East, Africa.

Asia Pacific and Oceania. Select a language. Confirm Back. Search all support. Search help. Tips for better search results Ensure correct spelling and spacing - Examples: "paper jam" Use product model name: - Examples: laserjet pro p, DeskJet For HP products a product number.

Examples: "DeskJet paper jam", "EliteBook G3 bios update" Need help finding your product name or product number? Loading Results. The Virtual Agent is currently unavailable. Please try again shortly. Need help troubleshooting? Just ask. Try asking HP's Virtual Agent. Session timed out. This concludes our tutorial on how to disable or enable Local Area Connection on Windows 7 computers. Share this Article:. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read times.

Write An Article Random Article. Recent changes. Meet a Community Member. Join the Community. Follow Us On Author Help. Green Living. Interior Decorating. A network switch is like a simpler version of a router. It will allow connected devices to talk to each other, but will not automatically assign IP addresses and will not share an internet connection. Switches are best used to expand the number of LAN ports available on the network, as they can be connected to the router.

You don't need to do much to set up a router for a basic LAN. Just plug it into a power source, preferably close to your modem if you plan on sharing the internet connection through it. Connect your modem to your router if necessary. This is usually a different color from the other ports. Connect your switch to your router if necessary. If you're using a switch to expand the number of ports available on the router, plug an Ethernet cable into any LAN port on the router and any LAN port on the switch.

This will expand the network to the rest of the LAN ports on the switch. Connect your computers to open LAN ports. Use Ethernet cables to connect each computer to an open LAN port on your router or switch.

Ethernet cables cannot reliably transfer data at lengths larger than m ft. If you're only using a switch as your network hub, setting up one computer as a DHCP Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol server will allow all of the connected computers to easily obtain IP addresses.

You can quickly create a DHCP server on one of your computers by installing a third-party utility. The rest of the computers on the network will obtain IP addresses automatically once the server is running, as long as they are set to do so.

Verify the network connection on each computer. After each computer obtains an IP address, they'll be able to talk to each other on the network. If you're using a router to share your internet connection, each computer will be able to access the internet.

Once your network is up, you won't see anything on other computers unless that computer has shared files. You can designate files, folders, drives, printers, and other devices as shared so that anyone on the network, or just specific users, can access them. Part 3. When you're setting up a wireless router, you'll need to keep a few things in mind: For easy troubleshooting, the router should usually be placed close to your modem. It should be located centrally to allow for maximum wireless coverage.

You'll need to connect a computer to the router via Ethernet during the setup process. Plug a computer into one of the router's LAN ports. You'll be using your computer's web browser to configure the router's wireless network.

Open a web browser on your computer. You can use any web browser. Type in the router's IP address. You can typically find this printed on the bottom of the router, or in your router's documentation. Log in with the administrator account. You'll be prompted for the login information for your router. The default login information varies depending on your router model, but the username is often "admin" and the password is often "admin," "password," or blank.

Open the Wireless section of the router settings. The exact location and wording of this section varies from router to router. Change the name of your network in the SSID field. This may also be called "Network name. This is the most secure option currently available on most routers.

Create a strong password. This password will be required in order to connect to the network. The field may be labeled "Pre-Shared Key. Ensure the wireless network is enabled.

Depending on the router, you may have to check a box or click a button at the top of the Wireless menu to enable the wireless network. Click the Save or Apply button. This will save the changes to your router.

Wait while your router restarts. It may take a minute for the router and network to come back online. Connect to the wireless network on your wireless devices. Once the network is back up, it will appear on the available network list on any wireless devices in range. When connecting to the network, users will be prompted to enter the password you created.

Computers connected to the router via Ethernet will not require a password. Yaffet Meshesha Computer Specialist. Yaffet Meshesha. Plug both of the computers into the modem or switch with ethernet cables to access and share files. Not Helpful 4 Helpful 5. If you have a smart TV, one that has wireless capabilities and a built-in interface to services like Netflix and YouTube, you can install software such as Plex Media on your networked computers to interface with the TV and share media.

If your TV doesn't have this capability, you can pick up a Roku device to connect to your TV to give you these capabilities. Not Helpful 7 Helpful I am not sure why every computer needs its own WiFi card if I am connecting them with a cable.