Read this detailed post to learn a step-by-step tutorial to know how to transfer files from PC to PC with or without Ethernet. It is OK if you have a spare LAN cable or not, you can try one of the provided ways or use a free file sync software.
“If I want to transfer files between two PCs, and all I have is an Ethernet cable, how can it be done? I've read/seen about Windows easy transfer, but when I tried it (with an Ethernet cable connecting the two PCs), it says cannot find an easy transfer cable. Can files be transferred by simply connecting the two PCs using an Ethernet cable? (Apparently, that doesn't work---need settings? router or what? I thought the router was for wireless??”)
– City-Data Forum
When you get a new computer, you will need to transfer files between computers. If there is a small number of files to be transferred, USB flash drives can be a good choice to help you with data transfer. But if there is a large number of files to be moved, using an Ethernet cable may be more efficient.
Compared with USB flash drives, an Ethernet cable has the following advantages:
· More suitable for transferring plenty of files: There’s no capacity limit if you transfer data with an Ethernet cable. · Faster transfer speed: The physical connection between computers via Ethernet cable makes data transfer faster. · Avoid repetitive work of plugging and removing USB flash drives: Moreover, you won’t be worried about connection problems and spend extra time repairing pen drives not detected on the computer.
However, there may be some cases where the PC-to-PC file transfer via LAN cable is not working or transferring files from PC to PC over Ethernet cable is too complicated, so a free PC migration tool is covered for you.
Best free file sync software to transfer massive files more simply and flexibly.
Please read on and learn how to transfer data from PC to PC using a LAN cable or without a LAN cable in Windows 11/10/8/7.
Before you start PC-to-PC transfer using Ethernet, you should prepare a LAN cable (CAT5/6 will work fine). Learn how to share files between two computers using a LAN cable in detail below:
Connect both computers to a LAN cable.
Search for Control Panel and open it. Go to Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change Advanced sharing settings. Then perform the following settings for both computers and "Save changes".
"Turn on network discovery"
"Turn on file and printer sharing"
"Turn on sharing so anyone with network access can read and write files in the Public folders"
"Turn off password-protected sharing"
3.1. Select the folder you want to share and right-click on it. Choose "Share with" (or "Give access to") and then select "Specific people."
3.2. In the File Sharing window, select "Everyone" from the drop-down menu, click on the "Add" button next to it, and then click on the "Share" button.
3.3. When you see "Your folder is shared", click "Done."
4.1. Press Win + E to open File Explorer and click "Network" on the left-hand panel.
4.2. Find the source computer and double-click it. Enter the source computer’s password if prompted.
4.3. You will see the folder you just shared. Copy the shared folder to anywhere else based on your needs.
As you see, you can only share one folder once. It will be time-consuming if you have dozens of files from different folders to transfer. If you need an easier way to transfer files between computers on the same network, why not try the free PC transfer software - AOMEI Backupper?
As long as the two computers are on the same wireless or wired network, you can transfer files between computers even without an Ethernet cable. AOMEI Backupper Standard, the best free PC-to-PC file transfer software, can complete the task easily. You can benefit a lot from the following features:
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๐ Various sync locations |
You can synchronize PC files to local folders, network shared folders, NAS devices, or cloud drives and vice versa. You can also sync two external hard drives and the like. |
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โฐ Automatic file sync |
It enables you to create a schedule to auto-run the file sync task daily/weekly/monthly. |
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๐ฎ Batch file transfer |
It supports transferring multiple folders simultaneously, thus saving you from tedious work. |
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๐ป Compatibility |
It works with all Windows PCs running Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP (32-bit and 64-bit). |
Wanna try it out? Just download the freeware right now!
1. Launch AOMEI Backupper on the source computer. Click "Sync" and select "Basic Sync".
It also provides other three sync features, and they are available in the professional version.
2. Name the task so that you can distinguish it from other sync tasks. Click “Add Folder” to select the folder(s) that you want to transfer.
3. Click the destination box and select "Add Share or NAS Devices" from the drop-down menu.
4. In the Add Share or NAS Devices window, type the IP address of the source computer and click the blue button at the right. Type username and password if it prompts.
5. After the IP address has been added, all network-shared folders on the computer will be listed. Choose one folder to store the folder(s) you plan to transfer and click “OK”.
6. Click on the "Start Sync" button to transfer files from PC to PC over the network.
>>Options: you can write a comment for your sync task so that you can figure out the specific sync contents. You can also enable email notification here. >>Schedule Sync: you can set the sync task to run periodically. There are five modes supported: Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Event triggers, and USB plug-in.
7. After the sync process is finished, access the shared folder(s) on the destination computer by clicking This PC > Network.
An external hard drive is a physical storage device that can help you transfer a few files or most of your PC's contents, depending on the drive's capacity.
1. Connect the external hard drive to your current PC. 2. Locate the drive in your file explorer and drag the files you want to transfer into the hard drive's folder. 3. Safely eject the hard drive, then connect it to the new PC. 4. Locate the drive again in your file explorer, and drag the files from the hard drive to your desired location on the new computer.
External hard drives are perfect for transferring files without an internet connection. They also save time when you don't want to download and install transfer software, providing a quick and direct transfer solution.
Compared to manual transfers, cloud storage makes accessing and sharing files much easier. It's one of the most convenient options for storing and transferring files—no external storage devices or cables are needed! Files transferred through cloud storage are secured with data encryption. Unlike external hard drives, cloud storage is scalable, meaning you can subscribe for as much space as you need.
1. Create an account with a cloud storage provider like Dropbox. 2. Download and install the Dropbox desktop app on both PCs. 3. Sign in to your Dropbox account on both PCs. 4. Open the Dropbox desktop app on the computer containing the files you want to transfer. 5. Locate and select the files and folders you want to move. 6. Drag and drop these selected items into your Dropbox folder to upload them to your account.
Your files will then be accessible in a Dropbox folder on both PCs. You can leave them in the Dropbox folder or move them to a different location on your new PC.
For 15 days from the time you sign up for an AOMEI account, you can enjoy 1TB of free AOMEI Cloud storage and view the total space and used space after you log in.
It enables you to perform cloud backup on a regular basis, such as daily, weekly, or monthly. If you modify these files frequently, it's suggested that you set hourly backup under Daily backup.
To transfer files from PC to PC with an Ethernet cable, you can follow the guidance provided in this article. However, sharing folders one by one is a time-consuming process. If you have multiple folders to be transferred between devices, you can choose the free and reliable PC-to-PC file transfer software AOMEI Backupper Standard to help you solve the problem of how to transfer files between computers.
It allows you to transfer several folders simultaneously between computers, and you can sync your files with fixed frequencies such as Daily, Weekly, or Monthly. Apart from the File Sync feature, you can also use it to clone dynamic disks in Windows 10 and back up WD My Cloud to Google Drive. Try it by yourself to discover more!