In this article, we are going to learn how to setup a LAN connection to connect between two different computers, both having Windows 8 Operating system – by Peer to Peer (P2P) Network. If one machine have 32 bit and another with 64 bit, it won’t be matter as its has been fully tested by me. To make a LAN connection between two computers, its recommended to use a crossover cable as come older Network Interface Cards (NIC) doesn’t support straight cable if two computers are directly connected through it.

What we need

• Two computers with Windows 8 operating system
• A crossover LAN cable

On computer 1

1. Go to properties of This PC (Win+Pause) > Advanced system settings > Computer Name tab.
2. Press the Change button.
3. Let’s name it PC1, choose Member of to WORKGROUP and press OK and restart computer.

   

4. Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change Adapter Settings > open properties of the LAN adapter.
5. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) > click on Properties > select Use the following IP address
6. Set IP address: 192.168.1.2, Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0, Default gateway: blank, DNS: blank

   

7. Press OK.

On computer 2

1. Go to properties of My Computer > Advanced system settings > Computer Name tab.
2. Press the Change button.
3. Let’s name it PC2, choose Member of to WORKGROUP and press OK and restart computer.
   

   

   Computer Name and Workgroup on – Windows 8 PC2

4. Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change Adapter Settings > open properties of the LAN adapter.
5. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) > click on Properties > select Use the following IP address.
6. Set IP address: 192.168.1.3, Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0, Default gateway: blank, DNS: blank

   

7. Press OK.

HomeGroup & File and Printer sharing settings

HomeGroup Settings

1. Open Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center >View your active networks > Note the network profile (below the network name).

   

2. Open Control Panel > HomeGroup > Change advanced sharing settings… > Choose the network profile.
3. Select Turn on/off network discovery as required.
4. Select Turn on file and printer sharing.
5. Open All Networks.
6. Select Turn on sharing so anyone with network access can read and write files in the public folders.
7. Select Turn on/off password protected sharing as required.

   

8. Press Save changes button.

File sharing

1. Open properties of any folder or drive that we want to share > open Sharing tab.
2. If sharing a folder, click on Share > type Everyone > click OK (Change permission level as required).
3. Press share > done > close.
4. If sharing a drive, open its properties > Security tab > Advanced > Changed Permission.
5. Press Add button > Click on Select a principal > type Everyone on Enter the object name to select > press OK.
6. Now allow or deny permission as required. Check Allow on Full Control for 777 permission.
7. Press OK > OK > go back to Sharing tab > Advanced Sharing> Share this folder (change permissions as required) > OK > Close.
8. The shared drive/folder will be visible to opposite computer’s Network.

Printer Sharing

1. Open Control Panel > Device and Printers > Select printer and right click > Printer properties.
2. Open Sharing tab > check Share this printer > press OK.
3. The shared printer will be visible to opposite computer’s Network.

Please check the parent article for more information on computer networking: http://w3epic.com/connect-win-xp-win-7-win-8-server-2008-ubuntu-with-each-others

Need help, just leave a comment – I’ll be back to you.

Thanks.

 Written by: Arpan Das on 10-May-2014,