2 Windows pc set up. Can ping each other. How to VPN from one to another?

I am trying to learn how to use Zerotier to access files on one computer from another computer , with each computer on a different ISP.

I have watched a few videos and read many more written guides and I still have no idea how to access files from my Windows 10 computer to my Windows 7 , and vice versa.

So far , I selected Private Network and I have done everything mentioned in this guide and the output is exactly as shown in the guide.

So I guess I am ready to use Zerotier from my Windows 10 computer to my Windows 7?

Where do I begin ?

Do I type in the IP address of Windows 7 into the url area of Google Chrome in Windows 10?

Do I type in the IP address of Windows 7 into the url area of file explorer in Windows 10?

Please advise.

Thanks a million.

What are you trying to achieve? Use real words only. No lingo like vpn.

What exactly are you trying to accomplish? Your last two questions make me think that you’re not quite up to speed on sharing files and/or services between Windows machines. But, that could easily be me misunderstanding your questions.

If you’re able to ping the ZeroTier IP address of the Windows 10 machine from your Windows 7 machine and vise versa, that means that you have already established the necessary connectivity for sharing services. It’s then up to you to decide what services you wish to share and that will dictate the steps that need to be taken from there. To put that another way, once ZeroTier is up and running it’s as if the two computers are on the same local area network. At that point you need to work with your machines as if they live side-by-side on the same LAN; ZeroTier is, for most purposes, out of the picture at that point.

An example of what you might search for is “How to share files between windows 7 and 10”
https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+share+files+between+windows+7+and+10

Or search for something like “how to share music using plex on home network”

Again, if I’ve misunderstood your question I apologize.

I am trying to log into windows 7 computer from my windows 10 laptop.

They are both using different ISP right now.

I want to access the files in Windows 7 computer from Windows 10 laptop.

Please advise. Thanks a million.

No need to apologize. You most likely have my problems nailed down.

Thank you very much for your suggestions.

I am going to try to fix them and get them to work.

Until I created this thread I have read a lot about Zerotier and I was never sure what its role is in getting two computers on 2 different ISP connected.

Now I am beginning to understand where Zerotier’s role begins and ends in creating a local area network and where my role in tackling the LAN setup begins.

I wish there was a better Zerotier for dummies guide around.

So you basically have network working via zerotier, your stuck on accessing data on the other side. That would be on you, not zerotier to setup.

If all you want is file share, then \ip.address.geos.here\share_name in the run box. (Windows key + r)

To set up the share names, I’ll have to refer you to Google as I quit memorizing windows dialogs long ago.

*Edit
And 10 sec of googling for you…

*Edit #2
Basically zerotier creates network only. Your problem is how do I file share across a network. That network could be home, work or zerotier networks.

Bingo. Thanks for clearing that up.

I would advise you to skip zerotier altogether and simply install anydesk.com. It will be much easier for you. It’s free and very robust.

If you, or others, feel a need to use zerotier, you need to log in to zerotier one, allow both devices into the network you have already created, and then find the ip addresses that zerotier has assigned to them. You use these ip addresses to connect to each other, whether it’s via remote desktop or file sharing. It’s great if you will be setting up many devices that need to connect. It’s overkill, possibly, if it’s just one device you need to access via remote desktop. Take the path of least resistance and download anydesk.

Is there a reason you don’t want to use Google Drive?.
If you are talking about data less < 15 GB then Google Drive might be helpful.
In the past I have used Hamachi to setup a local VPN for connecting computers on different networks, that should work too?.

ve already established the necessary connectivity for sharing services. It’s then up to you to decide what services you wish to share and that will dictate the steps that need to be taken from there. To put that another way, once ZeroTier is up and running it’s as if the two computers are on the same local area network. At that point you need to work with your machines as if they li

Since you are able to ping one PC from another, it means ZeroToer works and does its job perfectly fine.

Now you need to setup Windows Shares & probably Windows firewall to allow file sharing between your PCs.

treat ZT network as you would for ordinary LAN if two of your PCs connected with an ordinary Ethernet cable.

Thanks a million.

Looks like you understand where I was stuck.

Will check out your suggestions.

I appreciate your help.

Thanks for your suggestion about using anydesk.

I have used similar software such as anydesk in the past eg TeamViewer .

Now I am trying out DIY VPN type softwares such as Zerotier as a way to understand the use of VPN better and to have more control over multiple devices and to scale up.

Interesting suggestion there, is this also a replacement for Teamviewer?.

I am trying out Zerotier.

So far , it is not as user friendly as I thought, for a dummy like me.

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my question. I am still trying to get Zerotier to work. One of these days I will succeed.

No , it is ‘better’ than Teamviewer.

Kind of in a different category.

But not as simple as Teamviewer.

For benefits of using Zerotier, see , for example:

https://blog.ecapuano.com/build-a-private-mesh-network-for-free/

https://old.reddit.com/r/linux/comments/7c0zkw/zerotier_open_source_crossplatform_and_easy_to/

https://old.reddit.com/r/linuxadmin/comments/58prs8/please_pitch_zerotier_to_me/

You might want to check out this other thread too.

https://np.reddit.com/r/pcgaming/comments/8n2656/whats_a_good_2018_alternative_to_hamachi/

You aren’t alone, it sucks big time.
It didn’t even work on my Windows 10 machine, it just crashed.

I think, I managed to get something else working, let me dig it up for you.

I have used Neorouter and I can tell you that it definitely works for sure :).
To understand a comparison of their products look at the page below.
http://www.neorouter.com/products-nrfree

Oh, I have tried out Zerotier for sure, I was referring to the TeamViewer replacement.
I started with Hamachi and turned to Zerotier when Hamachi was taken over, found Zerotier to be very glitchy.

Thanks for the suggestion.

I shall check it out.

There is nothing wrong with ZeroTier, and it is fairly easy to use. It is also open source (you can run your own controller, I am running mine). Neorouter is closed source, which means they can go out of business tomorrow and you will be dead in the water.