How to Transfer Files from a Desktop to a Laptop Using 9 Methods

This page offers 9 ways to help you transfer files from desktop to laptop or vice versa. We recommend the easiest way, the PC transfer software, which only takes 3 steps to move data. Apart from third-party software, you now have 8 more solutions to effectively transfer files to a new computer. All provided solutions work for file transfer on all Windows desktops and laptops running Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP.

How to Transfer Files Wirelessly Between a Laptop and a Desktop Computer

Question 1: How can I connect my laptop to a desktop computer? What is the fastest tool for transferring files?

< strong > Question 2: Is there any way to connect my laptop to a PC via Wi-Fi and share files between the two?

Q3: Is there any special software that would make it easier to share files between a desktop and a laptop?

When it comes to transferring files between computers and laptops, many people have questions about it. If you're one of them and have any of the following issues, read on and find the solution on this page.

Part 1: Transfer Files from Desktop to Laptop Using Software  - [Easiest]

Part 2: Share Files Between PCs and Laptops Using Built-in Windows Tools - [4 Methods]

Part 3: Transfer Files from Desktop to Laptop Using a Cable or External Storage Device - [2 Methods]

Part 4: Transfer Data from Laptop to PC via Cloud Services or Email - [2 Methods]

Part 1: Transfer Files from Desktop to Laptop Using Software - [Easiest]

Advantages: It is suitable for users of all levels, simple and practical, and 100% secure.

Drawback: It costs money, albeit very little.

Difficulty: ☆

There are numerous file transfer software and tools available online for you to try. To save you time, we'd like to recommend a great software that excels in efficient file transfers.

Transferring files from a desktop to a laptop via PC transfer software

If you need to transfer files from desktop to laptop via Wi-Fi only once, professional PC transfer software like Todo PCTrans Tool can help.

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It lets you create an image file via the Internet or with a simple click, to transfer folders, files (including music, documents, videos, photos, etc.) and programs along with settings from one PC to another with Windows 11/10/8/7.

Here are the steps for transferring files from PC to PC over the Internet:

Step 1: Install and launch Todo PCTrans on both your desktop and laptop. Choose "PC to PC" to directly transfer files, applications, and user accounts from the desktop to the laptop.

Step 2: Choose the transfer direction (new or old computer).

Select the correct transfer direction:

Connect the PC to the laptop using the account password or verification code on your laptop. You can access the "PC to PC" main screen and turn on the "Connection Authentication" button.

Transfer Files from PC to Laptop - Step 2

Step 3: Then, click “Files” to select the files you need to transfer. By default, PCTrans will transfer and save the data in the same location on the target PC. But you can click the “Edit” icon to customize the storage path as needed.

< strong > Step 4. < /strong> Then, click “Transfer” to quickly send the files from your computer to the laptop.

To use Todo PCTrans for transferring files between PCs without an internet connection, watch this video for assistance:

If you need to move programs and apps to a new drive in another computer, see Transfer Installed Programs & Apps to New Hard Drive.

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Part 2: 4 Ways to Share Files Between PCs and Laptops Using Built-in Windows Tools

Advantage: Free

Cons: Can be too complex for new or less experienced computer users.

Difficulty: ☆☆☆☆☆

Microsoft added file-sharing capabilities to all versions of Windows. As a result, any Windows user can transfer files between their computers using network shared drives, network shared folders, Home Groups, and Nearby Sharing.

Here's a step-by-step guide to sharing files between desktop and laptop using the built-in sharing tools in Windows.

1. Share files between a PC and a laptop over a network connection

Step 1: Map a network drive on the source computer

1. Right-click on "This PC/Computer," and select "Map Network Drive."

2. In the Drive box, click the letter of the drive that you want to use.

Note: This drive should be large enough to hold the files and folders you want to share.

3. In the Folder box, type \\server\share, where server is the IP address of the drive you want to map. Click Finish to continue.

For example, if the IP address is 192.168.6.xxx, type \\192.168.6.xxx.

Step 2: Save your files and folders to the mapped drive.

Step 3. On the target computer, open File Explorer and type the IP address of the networked computer, such as 192.168.6.xxx

Step 4: Press Enter, and then access the shared file. You can copy and save the file to your local computer.

# 2. Create a network share link and share files between two computers

Step 1: Open the "Network and Sharing Center" and change the advanced sharing settings on the source computer.

1. Right-click the Windows icon, choose Search, type: Network and Sharing Center, and click to open it.

2. Click “Change advanced sharing settings,” check the box below, and save the settings:

• Turn on network discovery
• Turn on file and printer sharing
• Allow all users with network access to read and write files in public folders
• Turn off password protected sharing

Step 2: Create a shareable link for the file you want to upload.

1. On the source computer, open File Explorer and select the drive or the file you want to share.

2. In the top bar of the Windows File Explorer, click on the "Share" tab, and then choose "Specific people..."

Choose who you want to share with.

3. Click the expand button, select "Everyone" as the sharing mode, and click "Add" to confirm.

4. Click “Everyone,” and under “Permission Level,” set it to “Read & Write,” then click “Share” to confirm your settings.

Set access permissions for the shared link.

5. Right-click the shared folder's path and select “Copy link,” as shown:

6. Send the shared link via email or any other means to the target computer.

Step 3: Share and copy the files to the target computer via the network drive

1. On the target computer, open File Explorer and click on "Network."

2. Click on the source computer's name, and open it to access the shared files. From there, you can view, copy, and save these files to a local drive on your target computer.

# 3. Transfer Files to Your New Computer Using HomeGroup

Note: This feature is only applicable to users on Windows 11/10 versions prior to 1803, as well as users on Windows 8/7.

On the source computer, type “Homegroup” in the search box, and then click to open it.

Step 2: Select Create a homegroup and click Next, then follow the instructions.

Step 3: Select the files and folders you want to share, switch the permission button to "Share," and click "Next."

Note: Remember the password displayed on the screen.

Step 4: On the target computer, open HomeGroup: Control Panel > All Control Panel Items > Homegroup.

5. Join the existing home network by entering the password you were given, then tap “Done.”

Step 6. Here you can access the shared files on the new computer and save them to your local drive.

# 4. Share Files Between Windows 11/10 PCs and Laptops Using Nearby Sharing

Note: This method only applies to users on Windows 11/10 version 1803 or later.

1. Enable “Nearby Sharing” on both PCs: Go to Settings > System > Shared Experiences > Nearby Sharing, and turn it on.

Step 2: Under “Nearby Sharing,” select “Everyone nearby.”

All nearby devices – Your computer will be able to share and receive content with any device in the vicinity, including ones that aren't yours.

Save received file to – your computer will save the contents to the destination path on the drive.

Send with Nearby Share

By default, files will save to the “Downloads” folder, but you can easily specify another folder or drive. Under “Nearby Sharing,” use the “Save files I receive to” option and click “Change.” Pick where you'd like to save transfers.

Step 3: Start sharing files between the two laptops.

Open File Explorer. Right-click the file you want to share. Click Share. Select the device from the list.

Click “Share” to start the transfer process.

Part 3: Transfer files from desktop to laptop via cable or external storage device

Advantage: Simple and user-friendly, suitable for all users.

Cons: Costs tens or even hundreds of dollars for a new external hard drive or cable.

Difficulty: ★★

Many users prefer to transfer files manually between computers. To do this, you have two options for moving files between your desktop and laptop: use a USB cable or an external hard drive.

# 1. Transfer files between a PC and a laptop using a USB 3.0 cable

Note: Transferring files between computers using a USB cable also requires software to facilitate the process.

• For Windows 8.1/8/7 users, you can accomplish this task using Windows Easy Transfer and a USB cable. • For Windows 10 users, you can use a third-party transfer cable with built-in software to do the job.

Transferred via USB cable

Here are the steps:

Step 1: Turn on both computers and connect them with the Transfer USB cable.

Step 2: Run the migration software, such as Windows Easy Transfer, on both machines.

On the source computer, launch the transfer software and choose your transfer method, as well as the files you want to migrate to the target computer.

Confirm the action and wait for the process to complete.

# 2. Copying and Transferring Files with an External Hard Drive

To do this, you will need to have an empty external hard drive on hand. You can then transfer your files from your old computer to the new laptop by following these steps:

Step 1: Connect the external hard drive to the source computer.

Step 2: Copy the files you want to transfer to the external hard drive.

Step 3: Unplug the external drive, and connect it to the target laptop. Open the drive and copy the files over to the new laptop.

Part 4: Transfer data from laptop to PC via cloud services and email

Pros: Available and easy to use

Drawback: It costs money, albeit a small amount.

Difficulty: ☆

1. Transfer files between PC and laptop using cloud storage

Cloud services like OneDrive, Dropbox, and Google Drive allow you to share files between two different computers. All you have to do is install the cloud service app on your new computer, log in with your cloud account, and download your files again.

Here's how to do it with OneDrive, for example:

Step 1: Upload the files from the source computer to OneDrive.

Open the OneDrive app > Sign in to your OneDrive account > Tap “Add” or “Upload” to add files to your OneDrive cloud account.

Upload files from the source PC to OneDrive

Step 2: Download the files you need to the target computer.

On another laptop, open the OneDrive app, log in with your account, right-click the file you uploaded, and select Download.

Wait patiently for the download to complete.

# 2. Transfer files to the new computer via email

Almost all email client applications support file sharing through attachments. Email users can easily transfer files between different users on two computers. This can be done using Outlook, Windows Mail, Gmail, Mozilla Thunderbird, Hotmail, and many others.

1. On the source computer, open your email application and log in to your account.

Step 2. In the Index section, enter the email addresses – the sender as the source computer's email address and the recipient as the target computer's email address.

Step 3. Click the “Attach” icon and select the file you wish to share from your current computer. Click “Send” to start transferring the file to the destination computer.

< strong > Step 4. On the target computer, open any email app and log in. Go to your inbox and download the attachment that you received.

Conclusion

This page contains nine methods for transferring files from a PC to a laptop, or vice versa.

• For a simple and effective solution, your best bet is to use a transfer software like Todo PCTrans.
• If you're looking for a free method, using a network shared drive or link would be better.
• For manual methods, using an external hard drive to copy and move files to your new computer would be suitable.
• Cloud service and email users can take advantage of these platforms to transfer files from a desktop to a laptop.

For more information on file transfer, migrating installed programs, or moving games to another drive, use the search option on the Tools website (https://www.tools.com), or visit the PC-Transfer page for more solutions.