There are several ways to transfer files from one PC to another, such as using PC-to-PC file transfer software, a USB cable, external portable storage devices, online methods, or even cloud services.

On this page, you'll learn everything about transferring files between computers, including:

What is File Transfer and Why Do You Need It
9 Ways to Transfer Files from PC to PC (Infographic)
Which Method Should You Choose for PC to PC File Transfer (Infographic)
How to Transfer Files from PC to PC Your Way – Tutorials
The Easiest and Fastest Way to Transfer Files from PC to PC (Infographic)

What is file transfer, and why do you need it? File transfer refers to the process of moving or copying one or more files from one device to another. This often involves a network connection, such as the internet, enabling users to exchange data between different computers, mobile devices, or servers. There are several situations where you might need file transfer: 1. **Sharing Files**: When you need to share documents, images, videos, or other types of files with colleagues, friends, or family, you can do so via email, cloud storage services, or by directly uploading them to social media platforms. 2. **Remote Work**: In remote work environments, employees require access to files on the company network. This is achieved through secure file transfer protocols like FTP or SFTP for retrieving and submitting work files. 3. **Backup and Recovery**: Regularly transferring important files to external hard drives or cloud storage for backup purposes safeguards against loss or damage to the original files. 4. **Software Updates**: Developers use file transfer to send new versions of software or applications to users, allowing them to download and install updates. 5. **Content Distribution**: Websites and streaming services distribute audio, video, and other media content to global users through file transfers. 6. **Academic and Research**: Researchers frequently need to exchange large amounts of data and research findings, often involving rapid and secure transfers of big files. In summary, file transfer is an essential aspect of modern digital life, playing a crucial role in both personal and professional scenarios.

File sharing and transfer have become ubiquitous. In your daily life, you can transmit and share files in various ways, such as nearby phone sharing, WiFi transfer, online file sharing, cloud services, or even cable-based file transfer.

    • You might need to send an urgent document file to a colleague at work.
    • You might need to share important paper files with teachers and classmates at school.
    • You might be asked to share a file with someone you just met in a public place.

Or you need to share confidential data remotely with clients.

So what do you do when this happens to you? How, for example, do you transfer files from your computer in Windows?

[2] 9常规 methods to transfer files between PCs in 2022 (infographic)

Here, we have picked 9 PC to PC file transfer methods to help all Windows users share files successfully between computers:

#1. Use PC-to-PC File Transfer Software

#2. File Transfer from PC to PC without the Internet

#3. Online PC-to-PC file transfer

Chart 1: Nine ways to transfer files from one PC to another

Tired of reading through lines and lines of text? Give your eyes a break and check out this infographic on the 9常规方法传输电脑与电脑之间的文件, which you can easily use. If you find this useful, feel free to copy the code and share it on your website! Thanks!

9 Ways to Transfer Files Between Computers


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9 Ways to Transfer Files from PC to PC

[Infographic] Which Method Should You Use to Transfer Files from Computer to Computer?

So, which method should you choose for sharing or transferring files between computers? We've analyzed all 9 of them and categorized them according to the level of technical expertise required for Windows users. Check out the comparison table to find the best way for you to transfer and share files between computers:

Comparison Item Data Recovery Service Provider Hard Drive Data Recovery Software

Todo PCTrans Tool

All Windows versions

External Hard Drive/USB

All Windows versions

Send Anywhere

Windows, macOS, Android, iOS

Wi-Fi

All Windows versions

☆☆

TeamViewer

All Windows versions

☆☆

OneDrive/Google Drive

Windows, macOS, Android, iOS

☆☆

Windows Easy Transfer

Windows 8/7/Vista/XP

☆☆

Ethernet Cable

All Windows versions

☆☆☆

USB Cable

All Windows versions

☆☆☆

Here are some suggestions for choosing the right tool for different levels of users. If you're unsure which method to use to share or transfer files, consider the following:

    For Windows beginners, you can try using the Todo PCTrans tool, external hard drive/USB, or Send Anywhere. For experienced users, you can transfer files from one computer to another using Windows Easy Transfer, WiFi, TeamViewer, OneDrive/Google Drive, and so on. For professionals, you're likely already familiar with the most direct solutions for transferring files from one computer to another.

Most people would rather have a simple and efficient solution for sharing and transferring files when needed, rather than deal with elaborate file-sharing methods.

Chart 2 - Which method do you use for PC-to-PC file transfers?

We have prepared a detailed chart analyzing which method to choose for transferring files between computers. If you're still unsure about the availability and difficulty of each method, this chart will provide some insight.

If you agree and want to help others with similar file transfer needs, feel free to share this infographic by embedding the code on your website or saving the image on your computer:

Compare different methods to transfer files from PC to PC

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Comparison of PC to PC File Transfer Methods

1. Windows Easy Transfer - Windows 7/8/8.1/XP/Vista

Run Windows Easy Transfer on the local PC > Next > Choose an external hard drive or USB flash drive > Insert the external device > This is my old computer > Custom > Advanced > Save > Next > Save your files to the external hard drive.

Windows Easy Transfer

Run "Windows Easy Transfer" > "Next" > "Select an external hard drive or USB flash drive" > "This is my new PC" > connect your external device > "Yes" > open the location of the Easy Transfer file > enter password > "Next" > "Customize" > "Advanced" > "Save" > click "Transfer" > close "Windows Easy Transfer" > restart your computer.

2. Tool Todo PCTrans - Supports Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP/Server

Please provide the English content you want translated, and I'll promptly translate it into Chinese for you.

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Step 1: Run Todo PCTrans on both the source and target computers and connect the two via a network.

1. Under "PC to PC," click PC to PC to continue.

Select PC to PC

2. Select the target computer by its name, then enter your account password or verification code, and choose the transfer direction. Click "Connect" to proceed.

You can view the verification code at the upper-right corner of the main "PC to PC" screen on the controlled computer.

Connect two computers

Step 2 Choose the categories of apps, files, and accounts you want to transfer over the Internet.

To transfer data selectively, click “Edit” under each category and choose specific items.

Select applications, files or accounts select applications, files or accounts

Click “Transfer” to start moving your apps/files/accounts from one computer to another over the Internet.

Transfer apps, files or accounts over the Internet Transfer apps, files or accounts over the Internet

3. USB/LAN cable

USB cable:  

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

Step 2. Run the installer > Select “USB Super Link Connector” > Click Next.

Step 3: Go to Device Manager > Expand System Devices > Check if the USB cable is listed as a "High-Speed USB Bridge Cable."

4. Insert the installation disc that came with your USB cable into your CD/DVD-ROM drive.

Step 5: View both windows side by side on each computer & drag data to where you want it.

USB data transfer cable

Ethernet cable:

Step 1. Connect the two computers with an Ethernet cable.

Step 2. Enable network sharing on both computers

Open Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings.

Select **Turn off password protected sharing** under **All networks**.

Step 3. Set up static IP addresses on both computers

Open Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center, and click on Ethernet.

Click “Properties” in the “Ethernet Status” window, select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)”, and then click “Properties”.

Click Use the following IP address, and set these values on both computers.

"nbsp"在中文中通常表示为“空格”。

01

Computer 1

IP Address: 192.168.1.1

Subnet Mask: 225.225.225.0

Default Gateway: 192.168.1.2

02

Computer 2

IP Address: 192.168.1.2

Subnet Mask: 225.225.225.0

Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1

"amps" 翻译成中文是:与号

Step 4. Share the folder.

Right-click the folder, select “Share with,” “Specific people,” and then click “Share.”

Ethernet cable

4. External hard drive/USB flash drive

Step 1: Connect the external hard drive to your old computer.

Step 2: Open File Explorer and find your new drive.

Step 3: Drag and drop, or copy and paste, the files you want.

Step 4: Connect the external hard drive to your new computer, and paste the files.

5. Wireless Network

Step 1: Connect both computers to the same Wi-Fi router.

Step 2: Turn on file and printer sharing on both computers.

Go to Control Panel / Network and Internet / Network and Sharing Center / Advanced sharing settings.

Under File and Printer Sharing, click Turn on File and Printer Sharing.

Enable File and Printer Sharing

Step 3: From any computer, view the network computers that are available. (Open File Explorer > Click “Network” in the left pane > Check for available PCs.) Then, copy and paste the data to be transferred.

6. Arbitrary Sending

On the old computer, click the Plus button and select the files you want to transfer. Then, click Send Directly > Send the six-digit passcode to the recipient.

On your new computer, go to the site and enter the key in the “Receive” box.

send anywhere

7. Use TeamViewer

Step 1: Install TeamViewer on both computers. Launch it on your local machine and log in to your TeamViewer account.

Step 2. In the Computers and Contacts window, tap My Computer, then double-click the device from which you want to transfer content.

Step 3: Open the File Transfer browser – drag files into the right-hand window.

Step 4: Choose the device you want to transfer your files to.

Transfer files with TeamViewer

8. OneDrive/Google Drive

OneDrive

    • Old computer: Sign in to OneDrive online, go to OneDrive > Choose Upload > select the files you want to upload. • New computer: Download the files.

Transfer large files with OneDrive

Google Drive

    Old computer: Sign in to Google Drive > Click New > Choose Upload file or Upload folder > Select the files you want to transfer

Google Drive

    • New computer: Download your files or folders.

The Easiest and Fastest Ways to Transfer Files Between PCs (Infographic)

01

Fast

Quickly transfer files, applications, and settings from your old computer to the new one.

02

Professional

The software introduces an intelligent file transfer mechanism.

 
03

Simple

Complete the process in less than four steps with minimal tools required.

04

Wireless and Unlimited

No need to purchase data cables or external hard drives for data transfer, all operations are done online.

The Chinese character " " translates to "Non-breaking space" or "Unbreakable space" in English. In web pages and text editing, it is used to add invisible spaces between words that prevent the words from being separated onto new lines.

Check the content that users frequently transfer

Please provide the English content you want to translate, and I'll translate it into Chinese for you as soon as possible.

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Chart 3 - Select Tool Todo PCTrans

This infographic lists the reasons to choose for PC to PC file transfer. We would also like to present some data on what users typically transfer. If you agree and wish to help others looking for file transfer software, feel free to copy the code to your website or share the infographic directly:

Select Tool Todo PCTrans

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Choose Tool Todo PCTrans