New Modem-Router - Home Network (Device Access)

I just bought a new/replacement modem-router this past week (Netgear N600 - C3700), and love it. I decided to also set up a private home network between my two desktop computers. I've always wanted to do this with my previous router, but just never did. I also connected an external storage device to the USB port in the back of the Modem-Router, which works between the two.

Then, with my actual files and folders in my two computers, I was finally able to figure out how to share folders between the two within Windows. My old computer, which is connected to the network, has Windows Vista in it, and my main computer has Windows 10 Pro (64-bit). The only way I was able to share selected folders with no security/access errors ('access denied'), was to set the sharing to 'Everyone' within the network. I found a few YouTube videos with these instructions, so that's what I did.

I live in a duplex, and I do have a neighbor downstairs who uses my WiFi through a guest network I set up just for her (same thing with my previous modem-router), but she only uses it for her phone and Smart TV that has an Amazon Firestick. Again, this is the first time I ever set up a home network, but I want to be completely sure about it.

My really stupid question is this. I don't think she has a computer, but either way, someone connected to my modem-router via WiFi would not have access to my shared folders, right? I'm assuming, whichever devices show up in the Network window, within Windows, would be the devices which have access (part of the network).

Everything in the attached screen shot belongs to me (all my devices, none of hers). The two main ones at the top are my two desktops.

Caledon Ken said:

The 5.0 is a faster band but does not do as good a job with distance and penetration (walls).

I would enable the SSID broadcast so she can see it but just use a good password. Something like

myguestnetworkfortenant

easy to remember and harder to crack.

Yes, it's set up with an SSID network name just for her, and the password is very hard to crack. It has 20 characters of all randomized letters and numbers (alphanumeric). I set it up with the same SSID name and password as in my previous modem that I just replaced so that she wouldn't have to change anything in her WiFi connection settings.

Caledon Ken said:

Cool.

I do have one last question. My old modem-router, which was an Arris, took a dive on Tuesday of this past week, and I needed my Internet that day so that I could continue to work from home. So therefore I was forced to purchase the new Netgear modem locally, which was at Office Depot, and I had it up and running within a couple of hours.

I was able to locate the identical brand new modem-router online for almost $50 less, so I purchased it and it's going to be delivered on Monday. I have 14 days to bring back my current one for a full refund at Office Depot, which would make the deadline on or before the 23rd, so I have plenty of time for that now. Therefore, I'll have the new identical modem-router up and running on Monday.

I know that's a lot of hassle to go through, but I need to save that money at the moment with this whole covid situation since it did affect my work/income. If things were normal, I would have just kept the one I bought locally, and not worried about the $50 difference.

My question is this. With the networking that I just set up, when I get this new identical Netgear N600 - C3700 modem-router on Monday and have it working, is everything going to work just the same between my two computers, or will I have to adjust something in Windows?

And just to let you know, I did save the restore 'bin' file already which has all my current router gateway settings, so all I have to do is upload it in the 'backup and restore' section when I log into my modem-router account once I have the new one activated and running. With that, all those settings are going to be identical.

Caledon Ken said:

It should work right away. I would power down both devices and then once router is installed power on. This will force them to get new IP addresses form the new router.


To get computers networked you usually don't do anything in the router (retail routers), it is done within the OS's.

Ok, great, I was hoping that was going to be the case. I'll make sure to shut both computers down before hooking it up, like I've done before when installing other new modem-routers in the past. I appreciate your help once again.