How do I connect my laptop to my desktop that is on the same network

Hi, I'm John!

What exactly are you trying to do between the two computers, share files, access folders, control the desktop remotely, or something else?

If you want remote control instead, that’s different. Are you using Windows 11 Pro on the desktop? Remote Desktop only works if Pro edition is installed.

Click "Add comment" to let me know.

Regards,

John J.D.

There are two main ways to connect a laptop to a desktop on the same network for full access: file sharing over the LAN, or Remote Desktop (to fully control the desktop). Below are step‑by‑step options based on Windows.

1. Share files and folders over the network

On the desktop (the PC that holds the files):

1. Make sure both devices are on the same network (same Wi‑Fi/router).
2. In Windows 11/10, open File Explorer.
3. Right‑click the folder to share, select Show more options (if shown), then Give access to > Specific people.
4. In the list, choose a specific user account or select Everyone to let any user on the network access it.
5. Choose the permission level (Read or Read/Write) and confirm.

On the laptop:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. In the address bar, type \\<desktop-computer-name> or \\<desktop-IP-address> and press Enter.
3. Open the shared folder and, if prompted, sign in with an account from the desktop PC.

If network devices are not visible:

1. Open Settings > Network & internet.
2. Ensure the network profile is Private.
3. Go to Sharing options (under Advanced network settings in Windows 11):
   • Under Private, turn on Network discovery and File and printer sharing.
   • Under All Networks, you can turn off Password protected sharing if anonymous access is desired (less secure).
4. Ensure required services are running:
   • Press Windows logo key + R, type services.msc, press Enter.
   • For each of these services, set Startup type to Automatic and start them if stopped:
     • Function Discovery Provider Host
     • Function Discovery Resource Publication
     • SSDP Discovery
     • UPnP Device Host

2. Map a network drive from the laptop

Once the desktop folder is shared:

1. On the laptop, open File Explorer and select This PC.
2. Select More > Map network drive (or right‑click This PC and choose Map network drive).
3. Choose a drive letter.
4. In Folder, enter the path to the shared folder, for example: \\<desktop-computer-name>\SharedFolder.
5. Select Reconnect at sign‑in if the drive should reconnect automatically.
6. Select Finish and provide credentials if prompted.

3. Fully control the desktop using Remote Desktop

If the desktop runs a Pro/Enterprise/Education edition of Windows and Remote Desktop is enabled, the laptop can control it as if sitting in front of it.

On the desktop (host PC):

1. Open Settings > System > About and confirm the edition supports Remote Desktop.
2. Go to Settings > System > Remote Desktop.
3. Turn Remote Desktop to On, then select Confirm.
4. Note the PC name shown; this will be used to connect.
5. Optionally, select Remote Desktop users / Select users that can remotely access this PC and add any non‑administrator accounts that should be allowed.

On the laptop (client PC):

1. In the taskbar search box, type Remote Desktop Connection and open it.
2. Enter the desktop’s PC name (or IP address) and select Connect.
3. Sign in with a user account that has remote access on the desktop.

This gives full interactive access to the desktop’s apps, files, and network resources while both machines are on the same network.

References:

• File sharing over a network in Windows
• How to use Remote Desktop
• Enable Remote Desktop on your PC