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Networking a Windows 7 PC to a Windows 10 PC

Anonymous
2018-08-29T23:38:56+00:00

This topic was addressed in two different posts recently, both closed now.  My question is the same;  can this be done, and if so, how?  The same answer was given in both posts.  This link was provided:

https://www.groovypost.com/howto/share-files-storage-printers-windows-10/ 

As far as I can tell, this article only addresses Windows 10.

Here is my setup:  My Windows 10 Home computer (about 1 year old) is connected to the internet via a Modem w/router.  My Windows 7 Pro computer is about 7 years old.  It is in a distant room from the first computer.  The WiFi is too far to communicate, so I have connected a DECA network through my DirecTV coax.  This connection works excellently.  My download speed at the modem is 55 Mbps.  The remote DECA unit is connected to a router with WiFi.  The download speed measured to the router, plugging into a LAN port, is about 50 Mbps.

On WiFi, my iPhone will connect to the 5 GHz band at about 45 to 50 Mbps.  Likewise, the Windows 7 Pro computer will connect on 5 GHz about the same.   Internet works good. I have this one setup across the room from the TV where the DECA unit and router are.  If necessary, I could run a Cat 5 cable to the PC, but would rather keep it wireless.

The basic question is, can the Win 7 be networked to the Win 10?

Thanks in advance for help or suggestions!

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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LemP 74,935 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2018-08-30T15:30:58+00:00

The answer to your basic question is yes, but in order to do so, the computers have to be on the same network and it isn't at all clear that this is the case for your setup.

The issue is not download speed or what wifi band you're using.

It sounds as if you have two routers.  That will definitely cause problems.

Open a Command Prompt window on each computer and run the following command:

     ipconfig

What is the IP address and Default Gateway for each computer?

Please describe the signal path from the Windows 7 computer to the Windows 10 computer.

As I understand it, "DECA" is a coax to Ethernet adapter.   Thus:

  • Windows 7 to router A via wifi
  • router A to DECA unit via Ethernet
  • DECA unit to Internet via Direct TV coax connection
  • Windows 10 to modem/router B via Ethernet
  • Modem/router B to Internet via Direct TV

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-08-30T07:42:50+00:00

    The basic question is, can the Win 7 be networked to the Win 10?

    Networking under Windows 10 works exactly in the same way as under Windows 7 (and Windows XP!). If the two machines can ping each other then you can create shares on each machine that are visible to the other machine.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-09-03T16:56:15+00:00

    Thank you LemP.  Both you and Frederik above finally got me thinking about this.  They didn't ping each other.  I finally realized that my additional router, which I installed only to get reliable WiFi at the far end of my house, needed to be set up as an access point only.  Once I got that done, BINGO, they could see each other immediately! 

    Thanks again to both for your help!

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-09-03T16:50:58+00:00

    Thank you Frederik.  In conjunction with your answer and the one from LemP, I got them talking to each other.  See below.

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