Setting up a Windows network is simple than you can imagine. So lets go ahead and set a small network.
1. Goto Control Panel->System
2. Goto ‘Computer Name’ tab in System Properties
3. Now click on the ‘Change’ button in the lower right corner.
4. Now punch your desired Computer Name in the given text box. Note that the Computer Name should be unique (i.e. not repeated) on the network.
5. Also enter the Workgroup Name. The Workgroup name should be same for all computers on the network.
6. Now press OK. A moment later it will show you a message saying ‘Welcome to MYGROUP workgroup’. Hit OK.
7. Then you will get a message saying that you should restart your computer to apply the changes. Press OK and the again press OK on System Properties window. It will ask you that if you want to restart your computer. Say Yes.
8. Wait till your computer restarts.
9. Now goto Control Panel -> Networks
10. Right click on ‘Local Area Network’ and click on ‘Properties’.
11. Now select ‘Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)’ and click ‘Properties’.
12. Enter IP Address as 192.168.1.x and replace x with your desired IP address. Start x with 1 and go on added 1 to it for other computers. Now hit TAB and the Subnet Mask will be filled automatically as ‘255.255.255.0′.
13. You can leave Default Gateway blank.
14. Press OK and also Press OK on ‘Local Area Connection Properties’ window.
Repeat the above instructions for other computers. Just remember to give different name to every computer. Also take care that IP Address does not get repeated on the network.
So go ahead and build your small home network. Happy Networking!