Whether you’re switching computers, sending work files, or creating a backup of the family pictures folder, there are several efficient ways to share files between different PCs. The best PC-to-PC transfer method depends on the size of the files, available time, and the hardware you have handy.
The simplest way to transfer files between computers is to use external storage media. It is the go-to option for most people due to its ease. All you need to do is stick a USB flash drive into one computer and copy the data. Stick the same drive into the other computer, then paste the data. Simple. Have more data than can fit a flash drive? Use an external hard drive instead. A microSD card (and card reader) works if you have neither.
There is no setup required either. You just need to know how to use an external storage device on your operating system.
If you have a lot of files to move, the USB version of the ports on the computers and the external storage device itself is important. If both computers have USB 3.0 or USB4 ports, consider investing in a high-speed flash drive like the Kingston DataTraveler Max. When you have a lot of data to move, speed becomes essential.
Share Over LAN or Wi-Fi
It is easy to share files and folders between computers close to each other and connected to the same local network. For one, you can use your operating system’s network file-sharing service to access another local computer’s hard drives using your local area network (LAN). You can also use third-party software to transfer files over Wi-Fi.
Sharing a Network Drive
All the major operating systems have a built-in option to set up a home network. This lets devices on the same router (connected via Ethernet or Wi-Fi) recognize each other permanently. So, when you transfer files between computers, you don’t need to set up a new connection each time. The connection is always on, as long as both computers are on and connected to the home network.
We have simple guides showing how to share files between Windows and Mac and how to share files between Windows and Linux. The process also works with Windows-to-Windows and Mac-to-Mac. If you’re on Linux, the interface and menu options depend on your specific distro. But once you’re in network settings, the process is similar to setting up a home network on macOS.
Sharing With Software
If you’d rather not add a computer to your private home network, you can install software that lets you send files over a mobile hotspot or other wireless connection. This method is ideal for quick transfers over a temporary network and bypasses the hassle and security issues associated with setting up a home network for file sharing.
There are several apps for sharing large files between computers. Some of these apps are built-in, such as Nearby Sharing (Windows), Airdrop (macOS), and Quick Share (ChromeOS). Then, you have cross-platform, third-party alternatives like Send Anywhere, LocalSend, SnapDrop, AirDroid, and KDE Connect.
Of all these, we’d recommend LocalSend for sending files from one PC to another. It requires installation on both devices, but it is fast, reliable, and works without an Internet connection. It is also free and open-source software (FOSS).
Use a Transfer Cable
For the fastest transfers from computer to computer, you will need to use a direct transfer cable. It’s faster than using drives since the copy-and-paste process happens simultaneously between the connected systems. When using external drives, you are transferring between three drives—but cables reduce that to two drives.
- Windows to Windows: You can use a special USB cable, such as the Plugable USB 3.0 cable, to transfer files directly from one Windows computer to another. All you need to do is plug the USB cable into both computers. Wait until both computers recognize the cable, and they will automatically install drivers.
- Once the USB cable’s driver has been installed, download and install the data transfer software on both computers. Then, launch the transfer app on both computers and begin transferring files. Since this method is software-supported, it is not guaranteed to work for later versions of Windows.
- Mac to Mac: You can connect two Mac computers via the proprietary Thunderbolt cable. Once you do that, both computers should detect each other, and transferring files is as simple as dragging and dropping them between systems.
- Windows/Mac/Linux to Windows/Mac/Linux: Use an Ethernet cable to build a local area network without a router. Make sure it’s a crossover Ethernet cable (i.e., the color patterns on one end don’t match the other). Set up network sharing on both computers, and you’re good to go for PC-to-PC file transfer.
Remember, a direct cable connection is always faster.
You can’t use just any USB A-to-A cable to connect two computers. It likely won’t work, but in the worst-case scenario, it could damage the USB ports and cause a short circuit, leading to a fire.
Connect the HDD or SSD Manually
If you are transferring files because your old PC isn’t functional anymore, you can opt to connect the old hard drive to your new PC manually.
Hard disk drives (HDD) and some solid-state drives (SSD) use standard SATA cables to connect to the motherboard. If you have a spare SATA or eSATA (external SATA) port in your computer, connect your old hard drive there. The operating system will recognize it as a new drive, and you can transfer your files to the new drive.
Unlike a PC, finding a spare SATA port on a laptop is hard. Instead, you could use other solutions, like an external enclosure or a USB docking station, to get data off your hard drive. Investing in an external case also lets you use the old hard drive as portable external storage after copying all the data from it.
Use Cloud Storage or Web Transfers
The final option is to use the internet to transfer files from PC to PC. It is the most convenient method of file transfer, but it is also the least secure and may take some time, from several minutes to several days, depending on the quality of your internet connection.
You can choose from any one of the various cloud storage providers, like Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive. These providers allow you to store your files on a cloud drive and access them on any device anywhere. You can choose to sync your computer’s files and folders so that changes reflect on all devices simultaneously.
Since more and more users now use cloud storage to save their files, it is probably the easiest way to sync your files between computers in different locations.
If speed is what you want, though, you can try a peer-to-peer, web transfer app like FilePizza. FilePizza removes the middleman, i.e., the cloud server. So, as one computer uploads the file, the other downloads it immediately. There is no waiting in the process, and you don’t need to subscribe to the same cloud storage provider. The transfer is all in the browser, so it’s fast, safe, and secure.
As a rule of thumb, a direct physical connection is often faster than a network transfer. So, when moving a lot of data, you’re better off with a wired connection between computers. But if it’s just a few gigabytes of data, then feel free to use one of the wireless options instead.
