6 Ways to Transfer Files from Computer to Computer (with Picture Guide)

Files play a crucial role in our day-to-day lives, whether you're getting a new computer or syncing files with colleagues and classmates. People often choose to transfer files from one PC to another in Windows for these reasons and more. Thankfully, moving files from one computer to another is relatively straightforward, and we've picked six methods to help you share files between two laptops using WiFi in Windows 10.

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• File transfer between third-party computers
• Cloud storage
• Wi-Fi
• USB cable
• External storage devices
• Ethernet cable

Now, let's learn how to transfer files from one computer to another with the help of Todo PCTrans, which is the safest and the most appropriate way to do so.

A Comprehensive Guide to Transferring Files from PC to PC

Method 1: Use a PC Transfer Software Tool

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When it comes to file transfer, the free and fast PC to PC file transfer software – Todo PCTrans tool, is ready for the job. Todo PCTrans is a free application that lets you transfer files between computers on the same network. It can be used to move files from desktop to laptop or vice versa.

• Transfer up to 2 GB of files and five apps for free. • Move programs to another drive or PC without losing any files.

Download this tool and follow the instructions to transfer large files from one computer to another.

Step 1: Run Todo PCTrans on both computers. Choose the “Computer to Computer” option and proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Make sure the transfer direction is correct.

"Transfer from old Mac" - Move data from your previous Mac to your current new one.

"Old" - Transfer data from your current old computer to a new one remotely.

Transfer Files from One Computer to Another – Step 1

Step 3. Enter the password or verification code of the target computer to connect the two computers via the network. Make sure you have selected the correct transfer direction, then click “Connect” to proceed.

The code can be found in the upper-right corner of the “Computer-to-Computer” main screen on the controlled computer.

4. Next, tap on "Files" to select the files you want to transfer. You can choose specific files as needed. Additionally, you can tap on the "Edit" icon to customize the storage path for the transferred data.

Click “Transfer” to begin the transfer from your computer to the other computer. The time this takes will depend on the size of the file, so be patient.

This is the quickest way to transfer files from one computer to another, while keeping everything safe and intact. If you're new to this, or if your data is precious or important, use this tool to make sure the transfer goes smoothly.

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Method 2: Transfer Data Wirelessly with WiFi

If you've ever wished you could share photos or documents with someone nearby without email or text, you're in luck. Windows 10/11 now has a feature called "Nearby Sharing" that lets you do just that. Nearby Sharing uses Bluetooth to connect two nearby devices, allowing you to quickly and easily share files between them. It's perfect for sharing photos and documents with colleagues or friends, and best of all, it's straightforward to set up and use. Plus, it enables file transfers between laptops. Here's a quick guide on how to enable and use Nearby Sharing on Windows 11/10.

Step one: Find the “Nearby Sharing” feature on your computer.

For Windows 10, right-click the Windows icon, choose Settings, and then look under “Shared Experiences” for the “Nearby Sharing” tab.

For Windows 11: Go to Settings. In the default System window, scroll down and click the “Nearby Sharing” tab.

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Step 2. Turn on the “Nearby Sharing” switch in Windows 10.

Note: This toggle is not available in Windows 11; proceed to the next step.

Step 3: Choose a sharing mode from the drop-down menu.

"Just my devices" - Your PC can share and receive files with devices that use the same Microsoft account.

“Everyone nearby” – your computer can share and receive files with all nearby devices.

Windows 10 is an operating system developed by Microsoft Corporation.

Send files with Nearby Sharing

Step 4. Check the location where shared files are stored. Click “Change” to modify the path.

Step 5: Open File Explorer and share a file.

• Windows 10: Right-click the file you want to send, and then select the "Share" button from the drop-down menu.
• Windows 11: Click on the file and then choose the "Share" button from the top toolbar.

Click the Share button in File Explorer on Windows 11

Step 6. In the “Nearby Sharing” section, select the device you want to send the file to.

On the target computer, you will receive a notification. Click the Save and Open or Save button.

There you go! Nearby Share is a convenient feature that lets you share files quickly and easily with nearby devices without any hassle. If your Nearby Share isn't working as it should, click on the link to fix the issue.

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The third way: Use an Ethernet cable.

Ethernet cords are one of the most common ways to transfer files and folders. They're fast, affordable, and commonly used for transferring large amounts of data quickly. Ethernet cords are also very durable and can withstand a lot of wear and tear.

Step 1: Get a Cat5 Ethernet cable (available on Amazon) and connect the two computers with it.

Phrase 2: Change the sharing settings on both computers.

First, locate and open the Control Panel, set the sharing options, and click “Save Changes.”

Do so by going to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center, and then clicking “Change advanced sharing settings” in the left-hand panel.

To change the settings for “Guest or Public”

• Turn on network discovery. • Turn on file and printer sharing.

To change the settings for “All Networks”:

• Turn on sharing so that anyone with network access can read and write files in the “Public” folder. • Turn off password-protected sharing. (Note: This makes your computer vulnerable. Re-enable password protection when you've finished file sharing.)

On the source computer, right-click the folder you want to transfer, and select Share > Specific people….

Step 3. In the File Sharing window, click the dropdown icon and select “Everyone.” Click “Add,” then “Share.”

Step 4: If you see “Your folder was shared,” tap Done.

Step 3: Access the transfer folder from the other computer

Step 1: Open File Explorer from the bottom taskbar, or press “Windows + E” on your keyboard.

Click the “Network” tab on the left sidebar.

Step 3: On the Computers tab, double-click the computer you want to share, and enter its password.

How to Transfer Files from One Laptop to Another Using an Ethernet Cable

Here, we'll guide you through all the steps to set up a LAN connection between two Windows 10 computers so you can transfer files using an Ethernet cable.

Method 4: Through a USB Cable

How to Transfer Files From Computer to Computer Using a USB Cable Here's how. A bright and fast way to transfer files from one computer to another is by using a USB cable – one that can be used to transfer files between devices and computers. It's faster than WiFi.

Step 1: Get a USB-to-USB bridging cable. These usually come with a CD that installs file transfer software on both computers. (If not, download the “drivers” from the manufacturer's website onto both computers.)

Step 2: Press Win+E to open File Explorer. Locate the CD/DVD drive on the left and double-click the setup file to run it.

Step 3: Connect the two computers with a USB-to-USB cable. Wait a moment for the computers to recognize the connection.

Step Four: Run the migration software on both computers.

Step 5: You'll see two windows, one for each device's files. Drag the desired files to the target computer. When the transfer is complete, unplug the USB cable from both devices.

Related article: How to Transfer Files from PC to PC Using USB Cable

Method 5: Use an External Storage Device

Another simple way to move files around is via external storage. Most of us have used this method before, and it will serve you well in a work-from-home setting.

Step 1: Connect the external drive (an external hard drive or USB drive) to the original computer.

Step 2: Your computer should recognize it. You can open your device from the desktop, or find it under “Devices and drives” in File Explorer.

Is there an undetected/error? Try Quick Fix or begin the transfer without hardware errors using Method 4.

Step Three: Copy the file from your local machine and paste it onto the external storage device. Then, safely eject it and reattach it to another computer.

Method 6: Use Cloud Storage Services

The last resort is to use a top-tier cloud storage service, which makes it easy to upload and download files through a single cloud account, though file transfers can be slowed if you run out of storage space.

There are now many other cloud service providers, such as Send Anywhere and WeTransfer, which offer great services too. But for the purposes of this article, we're focusing on Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox. Read on to discover how to use the best online file transfer app:

For OneDrive and Dropbox:

This method is straight from the official Microsoft website, so it's safe and reliable. Just follow the tutorial's steps to give it a try.

• On the target computer: Install the OneDrive or Dropbox app and sign in with the same account. • Access your transferred data and change its storage location.

Video Tutorial: How to Transfer Files Between Computers

This tutorial video covers the primary efficient solutions you can apply for computer-to-computer file transfers. If you need a more in-depth or clearer guide, please watch this video:

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Editor's note

Transferring files from one computer to another in Windows 10/11 doesn't have to be complicated. After reading this guide, the process will seem straightforward. We've outlined five manual methods that will help you move all your important files from one computer to another, as shown below:

• Use an external storage device: This is the simplest option for most people.
• Share over a LAN or Wi-Fi: When the two computers are close, this can be a good way to share files or other content.
• Use a transfer cable: For transfers between computers, certain cables can be faster than using drives.
• Manually connect an HDD or SSD: By connecting both the old hard drive and the new one to the computer, you can manually transfer files from the source drive to the target new one.
• Use cloud storage or network transfer: You can transfer files from one PC to a new one using cloud services like Google Drive or OneDrive.

These methods work well when their limitations or requirements are met. However, if you're looking for an automated transfer solution, Todo PCTrans is easier to use and more appropriate for beginners.

Either way, transferring files from one computer to another is pretty straightforward, so get started today!

FAQ: How to Transfer Files from One Computer to Another

Here, we've listed some additional questions and answers about how to transfer files from one computer to another. Check them out if you need assistance.

How can I transfer files directly from one computer to another?

A cable is a simple way to transfer files between two computers that are relatively close to each other, like on the same desk. Plug the cable into the corresponding ports on both computers (usually USB), then use the software that comes with the cable to transfer your files.

**2. What's the easiest way to transfer files from one computer to another?**

Using external storage media, cables, cloud storage, or manually connecting an HDD or SSD to transfer files requires an internet connection or external devices. Using the Todo PCTrans tool is the easiest way to transfer files from one computer to another.

III. How to Transfer Files Wirelessly from an Old Computer to a New One

Well, without wires, you can still transfer your files, as long as you're connected to the Internet, by using a cloud service or e-mailing yourself the files to your new computer.

4. How do I transfer everything from my old computer to my new one?

When getting a new computer, you might need to transfer everything from your old desktop or laptop to the new one, right? You can do this with various tools, such as file transfer software from PC to PC, operating system migration utilities, or disk cloning tools.

If you need to transfer everything except the operating system to the new computer, see the following link for help: How to transfer everything from your old computer to your new one.